Are you a thrifter? Grab my free tips! Click Here!

Cute Christmas Plate Craft

November 28, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links.

Looking for Christmas plate decorating ideas? Why not add a few napkins for a unique way to create your own DIY display dishes for the holidays.

It's an easy craft with stunning results.

And it won't break the bank.

Tis The Season Napkins


Hello friends.

So it may be a bit early, but I have to confess that my Christmas decorating is done.

I went with a simple theme (again) this year, so it didn't take long to complete the task and now I get to move on to the fun stuff...Christmas crafting!!

It's my favorite.
I have a pretty big list of things I want to accomplish this season, but today, I started by transforming a few glass thrift store plates with cocktail napkins.

It's a craft I've been waiting to do since Halloween when the stores started decorating for Christmas and I found these pretties next to the jack-o-lanterns. Oh boy.

And I thought I was early!

How  To Decoupage Glass

Believe it or not, this red obsessed girl doesn't own one red Christmas car/ truck/ wagon item.

The images are darling, but the prices and the fact that I don't have much storage around here, have kept me at bay.

So when I spotted these napkins for under three bucks, I knew it would be a cheap way to get my fix and to use up some of those old dishes I found at the thrift store this spring.

When I was unable to remove that awful film, I gave some of them a faux milk glass treatment and some a coat of frosted spray paint.

The frosted dishes are the ones that received a makeover today.

I thought the finish gave them a wintery air and they'd look great with the snowy scene and that red truck. When I tucked the napkin under the plate to eyeball it, I could see that I wasn't wrong.

How To Make A Glass Christmas Plate


For this plate, I decoupaged the napkin to the back of the plate, so I traced the bottom ring onto a piece of paper for my pattern.

I made a template so I knew exactly what and where to cut so my napkin would fit perfectly.

Circle Pattern

Next, I separated the napkin so it was just one ply. Most of the time napkins are two ply, but sometimes there's a third layer. Just make sure you remove them all.

I could've cut the napkin before I separated the layers, but I was afraid they would shift or separate on their own while I was cutting.

Of course, it was a little more delicate to work with, but I was careful and took my time.

How To Decoupage Napkins

Next up, I sketched the pattern onto the napkin with pencil.

I went slow so I didn't tear my pretty picture. I also used a dull pencil so the point wouldn't tear the thin paper.

Decoupaging Napkins

When the cutting was done, I gave the back of my dish a coat of decoupage gel with a foam brush.

I used a satin coat for this, but honestly, since it's on the back and no part of it will ever show, I could've used any kind of finish.

I placed my napkin face down on the plate and began to smooth it out gently using a trick from my friend Ann.

Decoupaging Glass Dishes


She recommends using plastic wrap to smooth down the napkin to prevent tearing, but I didn't have plastic wrap...so I used a sandwich sized zippy bag. Don't laugh, it worked.

Once my wrinkles were smooth, I used a bristle brush to put more decoupage over the napkin to seal it and reached for my trusty bag again.

Using Plastic Wrap To Decoupage

When my plate was smooth and dry, I had a very elegant Christmas accent piece.

The frosting does indeed compliment the snowy affect on the napkin and now I have my very own little red Christmas wagon plate.

Look at me getting all trendy.

Who'd have believed it?

Red Station Wagon Christmas Plate.

Of course, if you know me at all, you know that I can never have too much red around here.

One plate was just not going to do. So I made another...with a different thrift store glass plate.

This one was a buck and it was a fun shape, with an octagon in the center.

I thought it would make for an interesting piece. I was also excited to add my colorful napkin to the front of the plate this time.

The frosted plate is a bit muted since the napkin was applied to the back. I thought the contrast would be nice if I displayed them next to one another.

Thrift Store Glass Dish Upcycle

My process here was basically the same, except it was almost impossible to get a good tracing of the center.

Instead I placed the napkin in the plate and folded the corners down one at at time in the shape of the dish and cut on the folds.

Red Truck Christmas Plate DIY

I coated the center with decoupage, placed this napkin face up in the dish and grabbed another plastic bag to smooth my wrinkles.

Then I applied more decoupage over the top and smoothed it out again. This time, I used a sparkle decoupage, since it was on the front of the plate.

And shimmer is perfect for Christmas.

Glass Plate Red Christmas Truck Craft

As a matter of fact it's so perfect, that I coated the entire plate with it. They're not for eating so I don't have be concerned about that, and the more sparkle the better!

This time around I had a brighter version, still elegant, but with a bit more pop.

I have to say this was a relatively simple craft, a great way to upcycle a few old dishes and an elegant way to add a little Christmas cheer.

And all for under three bucks!

Fabulous.

Christmas Dish DIY

And just in time for the holidays!

What will you be making this season?

Easy Christmas Craft

Happy Christmas Crafting Friends!
Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 58 Comments

Hey~ before you go, let me know what you think!

I love comments and respond to them all.

*Please refer to our privacy policy if you have questions regarding your profile and note that comments with links will not be published.



  1. Oh Kim, they turned out so cute. I too love those red trucks hauling the Christmas trees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lorri! Those napkins were just too cute to resist!

      Delete
  2. I too love Christmas crafting and I love this simple craft to decorate a clear plate! It will look really nice for the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Julie! It was a very quick and easy project. Just the way I like them.

      Delete
  3. Very sweet and perfect for display in your RED cottage :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. They turned out wonderful! I should be finished with my decorating over the next two days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Penny and enjoy the process and the result!

      Delete
  5. These are super cute Kim. You got your crafty going nicely! Love the red truck and tree just adorable.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kris! crafting is one of my favorite parts of the holiday. It's one of the few times of the year that I actually make time for it and don't squeeze it in between other things. It's my little present to me. xoxo

      Delete
  6. That is a great project! ❤️ Live the truck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Susan! I just had to have those napkins and they were too pretty to use and toss!

      Delete
  7. Amazing, adorable and I love them :)

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was a very clever craft Kim. I too end up with a lot of plates that I don't know what to do with. This is a great way to spruce them up and use them for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary! The cheap thrift store plates are just too pretty to pass up sometimes. This is an easy way to give them a little personality and display them.

      Delete
  9. Turned out so cute Kim! I’ve covered the entire plate before, but love this look!!
    Hugs.
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Jann!! It's a little more time consuming to do only a portion of the plate, but I like the outcome, too!

      Delete
  10. I love those red trucks and trees! The plates both turned out adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mari! I thought it would be a neat way to add the trucks to my home.

      Delete
  11. Aww, thanks for the shout-out, Kim. Your dishes are adorable and it's good to know sandwich bags work just as well as plastic wrap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann...your tip made a huge difference. I can't even tell you how easy it made the process. Thank you so much!!

      Delete
  12. Kim, I love it. Since I first heard you did these sweet little plates before, I have wanted to try one. I had such big plans and I knew there was oodles of time to do it all, where did the time go? It's hiding from me someplace and I just can't find it. If I have time after I get everything done then I will look for it but don't hold your breath. Meantime, just keep your cute ideas coming because most likely that is how I will be able to enjoy them! Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy, don't feel bad, I've had these plates for over a year and the napkins since October. I could've made them months ago, but, I actually forgot all about them!! I stumbled over them when I was looking for my Christmas decorations the other day. Now I'm wondering what else I've forgotten about!! Ha!! Enjoy the week!! xoxo

      Delete
  13. The little red Christmas wagon is so iconic. What a great and economical way to get the look; the plates are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara, I am so cheap and this was such an easy way to include a little bit of this trend into my holiday decor...and thanks!

      Delete
  14. Aren’t you clever!
    Where there is “will” there is a “way!” Is

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynne!! I did my best with this one. It took a little while to get it all done, but I think it was worth it!

      Delete
  15. This is adorable. It adds charm to your already lovely home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Maria!! What a lovely compliment.

      Delete
  16. Very cute plates Kim. So inexpensive to create and they are perfect for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Linda! I have to say they're really cute in person. Even my husband noticed them! 😉

      Delete
  17. Kim, I love the plates! They are adorable and are a cute addition to your Christmas decorations! I bought some napkins with the same image on them the other day (minus the wording) and I was wondering what to do with them. Great idea for the decoupage! Love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Benita, I was thinking of you and your napkin addiction when I bought these. There are so many cute ones out there, it’s easy to see how I could become a hoarder…er…collector...very quickly!! xoxo

      Delete
  18. So cute and goes perfectly with the red in your pretty home! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lisa! I have to say the red helps..ha!

      Delete
  19. Kim, this is darling--great Christmas craft!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cecilia! It was quick, easy and cheap way to get trendy!

      Delete
  20. perfect! those little woody wagons with the tree on top tug at the heartstrings!
    and the little red pickups too! beautiful Kim. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tammy! It was a fun, quick and easy project with super results. Hope your holiday season is bright!! xoxo

      Delete
  21. Another great project, Kim, and I love the red truck. Just the sort of care that will take you on exciting adventures and break down in all the wrong places :-)
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Yes, exactly Amalia!! As long as we break down in a Christmas movie and not a Halloween one, I'm up for the ride! xoxo

      Delete
  22. What a darling craft Kim, and it adds the perfect touch of Christmas flair without a lot of hassle, I love these kinds of DIY projects! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn! I'm all for quick and easy projects that I can enjoy right away!! Happy Holiday Season!

      Delete
  23. I am so into little trucks with trees on top. :-) LOVE IT! Thank you again, for another great idea.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carla! I love the trucks and trees. I can't believe I don't own more of them. I just have no room here for much...napkins were the right size! xo

      Delete
  24. Oh kim you are brilliant! This is awesome! I may get courage to do a project like this someday. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, lots of love and time with family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angela, you are so talented, I have no doubt that you could whip this up in no time...and if you want a few napkins to try, let me know. I have several in this pattern left over! And thank you, I hope you had the merriest of Christmases with your family!

      Delete
  25. These turned out great! The sparkle mod podge is a great idea, reminds me of the sparkle on freshly fallen snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Audra...I figured Christmas was a good time for sparkle!

      Delete
  26. Lori Did you use anything to make them food or dishwasher safe? Or was it purely for show? I love them! Want to do them and I want to try the plastic tip you gave I tore so many napkins on pumpkins LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there. I did not use the dishwasher safe and they are just for decoration. Of course, since the napkins and decoupage gel is on the back, you could eat off them, but you'd have to wash them ever so carefully. And glad you like the plastic tip! It really works well!

      Delete
  27. Hi Kim~ Just wanted to add that you can get dishwasher safe Mod Podge! That way you can wash the plates without worry. I think these plates/bowls would be a great gift to give Christmas goodies on. You could sign and date and then keep adding each year to give out. I also plan to do this idea for different seasons or holidays. Such fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Constance! I've heard about the dishwasher safe Mod Podge, I just haven't tried it yet. So far, I've been using them as decor, but maybe I should try that variety and use your gift idea. Those glass plates are readily available at thrift stores! Thanks for the tip!!

      Delete