Create a Decorative Christmas Tray

Hello Sweet Friends,

Today, I am sharing a decorative Christmas tray DIY made from Dollar Tree signs and a calendar image form the 2024 Seasons of Joy by Jennifer Pugh. Although this tray is for Christmas, I think you will find that you can use this idea to create a tray for any season or holiday.

Truth be told, I think I’m going to use this idea to create a tray for the fall season using a fall image from the same calendar. But I digress. Follow along as a share a supply list as well as step-by-step instructions to make this decorative Christmas tray.

Supplies needed

• 2 rectangle-shaped signs from Dollar Tree (9 x 14)
• December calendar image (original size 12 x 12)
• 2 pieces of lath board (1 1/2 x 9 each)
• 2 drawer pulls (I got mine at Lowe’s)
• scissors
• wire cutters or pliers
• Waverly chalk paint (color – plaster)
• paint brush
• E-6000 glue and quick dry glue
• Mod Podge
• small crafting iron and piece of parchment paper
• measuring tape and pen
• drill

Let’s get started

The reason I chose to use these two signs from Dollar Tree for my tray was because they were the perfect size. Since I did not want to have to remove the summer image and glitter from the sign, I decided to glue the two signs together front to front to create a sturdy tray.
My first step was to remove the twine hanger which was fastened with staples. So I used some pliers to remove the staples and twine from each sign.

Then, using both E6000 and Elmer’s quick dry glue, I glued the two signs together. The glue was placed away from the edges so none of the glue would squeeze out the sides.

After a weight was placed onto the signs, the glue was allowed to dry overnight.

Painting the decorative Christmas tray

Next, I painted one side and the edges of the “tray” with off-white chalk paint. It took two coats and was allowed to dry.

On the unpainted side, I applied a layer of Mod Podge and allowed that to dry.

While the Mod Podge was drying, the two lath boards were cut to size. I had help from my hubby to do this. They were cut to 9 inches long to fit the tray.

The two lath boards needed to be painted off-white to match the rest of the tray, so I painted the top and edges but left the back alone.

During the dry time, I cut the December image to fit the tray.

Assembling the decorative Christmas tray

Now that everything was prepped, the time had come to assemble all of the pieces together. I started by centering and ironing the December image to the front side of the tray (the side with Mod Podge) using a small crafting iron. You can see how nicely it adhered to the tray with no wrinkles.

Then using the E6000 glue, I added the two lath strips onto either edge of the tray. You can see how nicely the tray is coming together.

Time to add handles to the tray

I had to enlist the help of my hubby once again to add the handles to the tray. Using a measuring tape and pen, he marked where he needed to drill holes.

Once the holes were drilled, the handles were attached with the screws that came in the package. Here is the front and back view of the finished tray.

And I had myself a super CUTE decorative Christmas tray! I debated whether to add a little antique wax to this project, but in the end I decided that I liked it just the way it was.

A final look

The finished tray turned out so well that I have definitely decided to create a fall tray too. When I get it finished, I will share it here. So be on the lookout for that.

I hope that this idea has provided some inspiration for you to create something similar for your home. Remember, you can use any image, whether from a calendar, gift bag, printable, whatever you like really. Or don’t use an image at all and just paint the tray. It’s just such a usable piece for almost any home and any season. And it is very budget-friendly!

Until next time…….. Happy Crafting!

Pamela

If you like this DIY, you may also like my other calendar image craft ideas found here.

Update

As promised, I am sharing pictures of the fall tray created using the same steps I used for the Christmas tray. This calendar image is also from the 2024 Jennifer Pugh Seasons of Joy calendar. I think I like this one better than the Christmas tray. Which one is your favorite?