How to make a Santa Stop Here Christmas sign from wooden pallets

I have recently created 3 Christmas projects from one pallet for Take A Break Magazine – this Santa Stop Here Christmas sign, a stocking holder and an advent calendar. This is still in stores now (2019 in case you are reading in the future).

Materials Needed:

A pallet
Outdoor wood paint
Chalk pens

Equipment Needed:

A saw
Paint brush
Pencil and spirit level/ruler
Sand paper or sander
Dust mask and safety glasses
Paper and printer
Scissors or Stanley knife
Masking tape

Step 1: Draw out a triangle shape on the pallet making sure that a rear central beam is in the centre of the shape. Draw out a trunk too. My tree has two wooden panels for the trunk and 5 panels for the tree section. Create a longer trunk section so you can put it into the ground.

Step 2: Using the saw, carefully cut out the shape. Wear a dust mask for this part and safety glasses too.

Step 3: Turn the tree over and cut off the underside panels if there are any. Cut off three rear panels to make the trunk and remove two to reveal the rear support bar. Using the saw, remove sections of wood at the base of the spike so it will go into the ground easier.

Step 4: Sand all edges and panels to a smooth finish.

Step 5: Cover any parts that you don’t want to be painted with the masking tape. Lightly paint the panels in the colour of your choice and leave to dry.

Step 6: When it is dry, sand the painted panels to give a distressed feel to it.

Step 7: Using the chalk pen, carefully write Santa Stop Here onto the tree. It is a good idea to do this lightly first using a pencil.

Step 8: Using PowerPoint, create words in a hand drawn font. Print this out and carefully cut the words out using a knife or scissors. This becomes a template which needs to be stuck into place with masking tape.