Sleigh Ride Christmas Sign + Free Cut File

Looking for a fun DIY to incorporate into your holiday decor? Don’t miss this fun Sleigh Ride Christmas Sign. It’s a simple project when made with the accompanying cut file stencil that’s available for download.

I get asked all of the time if I purchase all new holiday decor every year. While I love a fresh theme, the answer is no. Most of the new Christmas items that I make or purchase are red and white, so everything always matches. I simply switch out a few key pieces for a whole new look.

This year I incorporated two new handmade items to my red and white holiday mantel – a super easy handmade Christmas gnome garland and the playful sleigh ride Christmas sign. I am going to share how to make the sign today!

DIY Sleigh Ride Christmas Sign

While I make and share free cut files all the time, I typically use them to make pillows and t-shirts. This is the first time I’ve shared a painted wood sign DIY here on the blog (though it’s similar to this Kringle Cookie Co HTV sign). Stencils make quick work of hand painted signs. I think that this project took me under two hours, including dry time.

What you need to make a DIY sleigh ride Christmas sign:

I have provided a direct affiliate link wherever possible so that you can easily shop and create!

Wood Frame (Make your own, or purchase the pre-made sign I used here)
Minwax Wood Stain – Provincial
Americana Acrylic Paint – Snow
Americana Acrylic Paint – Watermelon
Americana Acrylic Paint – Ebony
Foam Paint Brushes
Cricut Stencil Vinyl
Electronic Cutting Machine (I use a Cricut Explore Air 2)
Sleigh Ride Cut File (Download available at bottom of post)

How to create a sleigh ride Christmas sign:

Download the free Sleigh Ride Cut File at the bottom of this post and gather stain and painting supplies.
Stain frame of unfinished wood sign, using Minwax Wood Stain in Provincial and allow to dry.
Note: Let’s be honest, watching stain and paint dry just isn’t my favorite. I keep a blow dryer on hand in my craft room to help speed things along.
Paint the inside flat of the unfinished wood sign, using Americana Acrylic Paint in Snow and allow to dry.
Upload the design to your electronic cutting machine’s design software and create the appropriately sized layout.
Feed the stencil vinyl into your machine. Select light vinyl on the dial or in the media menu and cut.
Weed the negative space in the design (I removed the letters).
Position the design on the wood, as desired, sticky side down. Press the design firmly and smooth, removing all air bubbles.
Using Americana paints in Watermelon and Ebony, paint over the top of the stencil and allow to dry.
When paint is dry, remove stencil vinyl and touch up anywhere the paint bled.
Optional: Weather the face of the freshly painted sign, using the Minwax stain used on the frame and allow to dry.

I am all about simple projects with a big impact and this sleigh ride Christmas sign fits the bill! Honestly, the most difficult thing about the project is waiting for the stain and paint to dry (answer: blow dryer!).

I love having the sign on display on my mantel. It goes perfectly with the collection of wood trees I have on display and pulls the red in my garlands up on top of the mantel.