We’re back with another DIY holiday gift idea. It began last year when we picked up three inexpensive starfish from Michael’s and painted them to look like little Santas. We had seen similar painted starfish in beach shops around the holidays priced at about $12 each and thought we could recreate the look for a fraction of the cost.
Since John’s parents had just bought a beach house, the starfish theme felt especially appropriate. We painted tiny belts, hats, beards, and boots on each starfish and—voilà—instant Saint Nick with a coastal twist. Here’s a photo of John’s parents opening their little Starfish Santas last Christmas:
This year we decided to make the painted starfish a small tradition and try a Snowman Starfish. While a starfish isn’t exactly a round snowball, with the right paint and a little imagination it can pass for a cheery snowman. We grabbed another plain starfish from Michael’s and dug out our red, white, and black paint from last year.
We started by painting the entire starfish white. Once the base coat dried, we added small black boots on the bottom points, three black buttons down the center, and a black patch near the top to become the hat. Two little black dots for eyes and a red smile finished the face.
For a final touch we added a tiny scarf made from red ribbon, secured with a small dab of craft glue, and created a hat brim from black cardstock by cutting an oval with a hole to slide over the top point. These simple additions give the starfish personality and complete the snowman look.
Is it the most elegant holiday decoration ever made? Not exactly. But it’s charming, handmade, and made with love. The project is simple enough for children to help with, so if you’re searching for a holiday craft to do with kids, this is an easy and affordable option. Now we’ll just hope John’s parents don’t read the blog today—shh, don’t tell.
Update: You can browse a curated list of favorite holiday decor finds—many budget-friendly items—on the blog’s holiday decor roundup.