I've always loved how a simple diy clothespin reindeer can turn a boring afternoon into a fun holiday memory without costing a fortune. There's something about those old-school wooden clips that just screams "nostalgic Christmas craft." Maybe it's because most of us made something similar in elementary school, or maybe it's just because they're so stinking cute when they're finished. Either way, if you're looking for a project that doesn't require a degree in fine arts or a massive budget, you've hit the jackpot.
Why These Little Reindeer Are the Best
Every year, I tell myself I'm going to have a perfectly themed, "adult" Christmas tree with matching glass baibles and expensive ribbon. And every year, I end up covered in glitter and hot glue because the handmade stuff just has more soul. This diy clothespin reindeer project is a total win because it's fast. You can honestly crank out a dozen of these while watching a single holiday movie.
Plus, they're incredibly sturdy. Unlike glass ornaments that shatter if the cat even looks at them funny, these little wooden guys can handle being dropped, stepped on, or stuffed into a storage bin at the end of the season. They also make the perfect little "extra" to tie onto a gift bag or give to a teacher. It shows you put in a little effort, but it doesn't feel like you're trying too hard.
What You'll Need to Get Started
Before you get glue all over your dining room table, let's talk supplies. You probably have half of this stuff in a junk drawer already.
- Wooden clothespins: You can use the traditional spring-loaded ones or the old-fashioned "peg" style. The spring ones are actually great because they give the reindeer those iconic "legs."
- Brown paint: Acrylic works best. If you're feeling lazy (no judgment here), brown markers also work, though the color isn't quite as rich.
- Googly eyes: The smaller, the better.
- Red pom-poms: These are for the noses. If you want a whole herd of "regular" reindeer, grab some black ones too, but let's be real—everyone wants at least one Rudolph.
- Pipe cleaners: Brown or gold ones work perfectly for antlers.
- Glue: A hot glue gun is your best friend here because it sets instantly. If you're doing this with really little kids, a standard tacky glue is safer, but you'll have to wait longer for things to dry.
- Ribbon or twine: This is for the hanging loop if you're putting them on the tree.
Let's Get Crafting: The Step-by-Step
Don't overthink this. The charm of a diy clothespin reindeer is that they all look a little different. Some might have wonky eyes, and some might have giant antlers, but that's what makes them look handmade.
Prepping and Painting
First things first, you need to paint your clothespins. If you're using the spring-loaded ones, you'll need three pins for each reindeer. You can paint them while they're assembled, but I find it easier to just coat the whole thing in one go.
I like to use a slightly "distressed" look sometimes, where I don't cover every single bit of wood, but a solid chocolate brown is the classic way to go. Once they're painted, let them dry completely. If you're impatient like me, a hair dryer can speed this up, but usually, by the time you finish painting the last one, the first one is ready to go.
Putting the Reindeer Together
This is the part where it actually starts looking like an animal. Take one clothespin—this will be the body and the head. Then, take your other two clothespins and clip them onto the bottom of the first one. These are the legs.
Now, here's a pro tip: if you want your reindeer to actually "stand" on a table, you might need to wiggle the legs around until the balance is just right. If they're just going to hang on the tree, it doesn't matter as much. Use a little dab of hot glue where the pins meet just to make sure they don't slide off later. There's nothing sadder than a legless reindeer falling off the tree on Christmas Eve.
Giving Them Some Personality
Now for the best part. Grab those googly eyes and stick them on the "head" portion (the top of the main clothespin). I like to put them a little bit higher up to leave room for the nose.
For the nose, just glue that red pom-pom right at the tip. If you want your reindeer to look a bit more sophisticated, you can use a small red bead instead of a fluffy pom-pom.
For the antlers, take a brown pipe cleaner and cut it into two pieces—one longer than the other. Wrap the long piece around the "neck" or the top of the head and twist it. Then, take the smaller pieces and wrap them around the ends to create that branched-out antler look. You can make them as tall or as stubby as you want.
Ways to Use Your Reindeer (Beyond the Tree)
While these make fantastic ornaments, don't stop there. I've found a bunch of ways to use a diy clothespin reindeer throughout the house.
One of my favorite ideas is using them as place card holders for Christmas dinner. Since the "legs" are literally clips, you can slide a small piece of cardstock with someone's name on it right into the reindeer's "hooves." It looks adorable on a plate and gives your guests a little party favor to take home.
You can also clip them onto a string of garland over the fireplace. If you have a bunch of Christmas cards arriving in the mail, use these reindeer to clip the cards to a piece of twine stretched across a doorway. It's a lot more festive than just taping them to the fridge.
A Few Tips for Stress-Free Crafting
If you're doing this with a group, especially kids, things can get messy fast. I highly recommend putting down some newspaper or an old tablecloth first. Acrylic paint doesn't always like to come out of clothes once it's dry.
Also, if you find that the clothespins are splitting (sometimes the cheap ones do that), just use a little wood glue to seal the cracks before you paint. And regarding the glue gun—keep a bowl of cold water nearby. If you get hot glue on your finger, dunking it immediately saves you from a nasty little burn.
If you want to get really fancy, you can add a little "scarf" using a scrap of plaid fabric or a piece of yarn. Tie it around the neck area right below the head. You could even glue a tiny silver bell to the front so they jingle when the tree branches move.
Making Memories with Homemade Decor
At the end of the day, a diy clothespin reindeer isn't about creating a museum-quality piece of art. It's about taking an hour to sit down, maybe with a cup of cocoa and some music, and just making something with your hands.
Every time I pull these out of the decoration box, I remember the year I made them. I remember who was there and how much we laughed at the one reindeer that ended up with three legs because we ran out of pins. Those are the things that actually make the holidays feel special. So, go grab a pack of clothespins and see what you can come up with. It's cheap, it's easy, and I promise it'll put a smile on your face.