How to Make Paint Palette Christmas Ornament Laser DIY

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How to Make Paint Palette Christmas Ornament Laser DIY

Make a charming handmade ornament to add to your Christmas tree holiday decor.

This DIY paint palette ornament is the perfect blend of creativity and holiday cheer.

Just transform simple laser-cut wood into a keepsake that celebrates the special talents of the artist in your life.

Whether you’re an artist yourself, you love gifting handmade holiday décor, or you want a thoughtful present for an art lover, this artist palette ornament is a colorful, meaningful project that feels like painting on a blank canvas.

Let’s get started!

Supplies Needed for Paint Palette Ornament:

3mm Laser-cut basswood paint palette shape (with an extra hole for hanging)
Acrylic craft paints
Small detail paintbrush
Chiffon ribbon
Palette/Paper Plate/Straight from the bottle
Optional: clear sealer spray

FREE SILHOUETTE IMAGE AT THE END OF THE POST!

Supplies Needed for Paint Palette Ornament: 3mm Laser-cut basswood paint palette shape (with an extra hole for hanging) Acrylic craft paints Small detail paintbrush Chiffon ribbon Palette/Paper Plate/Straight from the bottle Optional: clear sealer spray

Step 1 – Cut the Paint Palette Base

I began with a piece of basswood and used my laser cutter to create the traditional painter’s palette shape.

I also added a second small hole near the top edge so the ornament could hang easily on the Christmas tree.

If you don’t have a laser cutter, you can look for blank wooden shapes at craft stores or online.

But laser cutting gives you that clean, perfect outline—like sculpting your own ornament without needing a finely crafted mold.

You can use a hobby knife and cardboard as a substitute too!

This wooden shape becomes your blank canvas, ready for all the fun color to come.

If you don’t have a laser cutter, you can look for blank wooden shapes at craft stores or online. But laser cutting gives you that clean, perfect outline—like sculpting your own ornament without needing a finely crafted mold. You can use a hobby knife and cardboard as a substitute too! This wooden shape becomes your blank canvas, ready for all the fun color to come.

Step 2 – Paint the Color Splotches

Set your wood palette on a turntable or lazy susans, if you are hosting a large group, for easier access to all sides.

Using bright acrylic paints, dab little “paint puddles” around the edge of the palette—just like the real thing.

I arranged the colors in rainbow order so it looked like the palette belonged to a painter choosing the perfect hue from their tube of paint collection.

Step 2 – Paint the Color Splotches Set your wood palette on a turntable or lazy susans, if you are hosting a large group, for easier access to all sides. Using bright acrylic paints, dab little “paint puddles” around the edge of the palette—just like the real thing. I arranged the colors in rainbow order so it looked like the palette belonged to a painter choosing the perfect hue from their tube of paint collection.

Each little circle of color adds personality and a touch of elegance to a simple wooden surface.
Allow the splotches to dry completely.

If you want a shiny finish similar to a beautiful glass ornament, spray a coat of clear gloss sealer over the entire palette.

I opted for a bright color rainbow, using hot pink instead of red and all the bright colors to follow along.

The colors don't even need to be in rainbow order, just add splotches of color where ever you want.

My paint palette is big enough that finger prints would work as well.

Just dip a finger in paint and press it on the board.

Perfect for a gift for grandma with all the grandkids finger prints!

The colors don't even need to be in rainbow order, just add splotches of color where ever you want. My paint palette is big enough that finger prints would work as well. Just dip a finger in paint and press it on the board. Perfect for a gift for grandma with all the grandkids finger prints!

After painting the splotches or adding fingerprints, let the paint dry completely.

Step 3 – Add the Hanging Ribbon

Once the ornament is dry, thread a piece of chiffon ribbon through the small hanging hole.

Tie it in a bow or knot—whatever suits your holiday décor best.

The softness of the ribbon pairs beautifully with the bold pops of painted color.

This finishing step instantly transforms the wooden palette into a ready-to-hang artist palette ornament that feels whimsical and handcrafted.

Step 3 – Add the Hanging Ribbon Once the ornament is dry, thread a piece of chiffon ribbon through the small hanging hole. Tie it in a bow or knot—whatever suits your holiday décor best. The softness of the ribbon pairs beautifully with the bold pops of painted color. This finishing step instantly transforms the wooden palette into a ready-to-hang artist palette ornament that feels whimsical and handcrafted.

Step 4 – Display or Gift Your Ornament

Hang your new ornament on the tree beside classic bulbs, art-themed decorations, or even other Old World Christmas pieces in your collection. The mix of textures—from glass to wood—creates visual interest, especially when each piece is chosen with intention.

You can also gift this ornament to a fellow creator.

Wrap it with gift cards to an art supply shop or tuck it into a small gift bag with brushes. Whether the artist in your life works in watercolor, acrylic, digital illustration, or clay, this ornament acknowledges the heart they put into their craft.

Step 4 – Display or Gift Your Ornament Hang your new ornament on the tree beside classic bulbs, art-themed decorations, or even other Old World Christmas pieces in your collection. The mix of textures—from glass to wood—creates visual interest, especially when each piece is chosen with intention. You can also gift this ornament to a fellow creator. Wrap it with gift cards to an art supply shop or tuck it into a small gift bag with brushes. Whether the artist in your life works in watercolor, acrylic, digital illustration, or clay, this ornament acknowledges the heart they put into their craft.

That's it!

This DIY paint palette ornament is a small project with big heart—a colorful nod to the joy of creativity. Whether it’s displayed on your Christmas tree, given as a handmade keepsake, or used as décor in an art space, it carries the spirit of the season and the beauty of expression.

It’s proof that you don’t need complicated materials, elaborate molds, or luxury ornament techniques to create something meaningful. All you need is wood, paint, and imagination.

So go ahead—open menu, pick your colors, and enjoy crafting a little piece of holiday artistry.

Like, Pin and Save!

This DIY paint palette ornament is a small project with big heart—a colorful nod to the joy of creativity. Whether it’s displayed on your Christmas tree, given as a handmade keepsake, or used as décor in an art space, it carries the spirit of the season and the beauty of expression. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated materials, elaborate molds, or luxury ornament techniques to create something meaningful. All you need is wood, paint, and imagination. So go ahead—open menu, pick your colors, and enjoy crafting a little piece of holiday artistry.

Here's the silhouette image of the paint palette I used.

Just add an additional hole in it for hanging in the laser cutting or Cricut software.

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