If you read my last Christmas DIY, DIY Yarn Christmas Trees- Easy and Inexpensive!, you can tell I’m a huge fan of budget friendly, easy Christmas DIY projects. Well, this one for faux birch logs is another one!
It’s so simple that you could have your kids help you! They’ll feel so special that they were able to contribute something to the decor and it’ll be something special you all can bring out every year or maybe even do new ones every year.
If you don’t have kids, no worries, this is still fun and will be a great addition to your Christmas decor.
These faux birch logs will bring a cozy and classy look to add into your Christmas decor without spending a ton of money.
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Faux Birch Logs- Christmas Decor DIY
Materials Needed:
- Tree Branches (I just found some in my backyard)
- White Acrylic Paint
- Silver Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brush
- Circular Saw (If your branches need to be trimmed)
Step One
Go out and collect branches and sticks from the woods. Try to find some similar in size. Looking in the woods gives you the opportunity to select the size you want for this project.
If your branches are wet from being outside, let them dry out overnight before working with them. I’ve actually had sticks mold on previous projects because I didn’t give them the proper time to dry out.
Step Two
Cut your branches to the size you want them.
If you don’t want to use a saw or don’t have one available to use, you can try and find branches that are the size you want. Or, you can select smaller pieces and break them to the size you want.
I did use a saw to get them to the size I want. Plus, I like the finished edge it gives the faux birch logs. This is the saw I used. I cut my branches to be about 15-18 inches each, but feel free to use your own discretion in sizing.
Step Three
Remove the bark from the branches.
This is optional! I sort of did this 50/50. Some of the branches I picked, the bark was falling off of them and I didn’t want a big mess from them. So I just peeled off the bark. If the bark didn’t feel like it was going to fall off, I just left it on.
Honestly, I think the branches that have the bark left on came out the prettiest.
Step Four
This is the fun part! Let’s get to painting!
Start by dipping your brush in the white paint and doing long, soft strokes along the branch. The key is to not over paint any sections, leaving the character of the wood.
Cover the branch enough to get it looking white with some brown peeking through.
Depending on the thickness of your paint, you might want to have a cup of water to help blend the paint in by dipping your brush in the water and doing a few strokes with it. My white paint was fairly thick so I alternated a few strokes of white paint and a few strokes of water.
Once you’ve covered the entire log in white paint, use the same brush to mix in some silver paint.
This silver paint is truly the magical part of the faux birch logs. It brings them just a bit of shimmer and adds to the glittery Christmas magic.
Work it in randomly on the branch or lightly brush it all around. It just depends on how much glitter you want it your life.
Step Five
Wait for the faux birch logs to dry and then decorate with them!
Here are a few ideas for you!
- Wrap some twine around them so they look like a bundle of wood
- Place them by the fireplace
- Toss them in a basket or tin with a pillow or blanket
- Wrap a burlap bow around them and add greenery and pinecones
- Place them on your front porch with a “Welcome” sign
Here are a few ways I worked them into my Christmas decor:
Any way that you use them, I just hope you love them as much as I do. These faux birch logs are so simple, but there is still something so special about making a Christmas DIY project yourself.
For more Christmas DIYs, also checkout DIY Yarn Christmas Trees- Easy and Inexpensive! and DIY Christmas Garland- Using Chunky Knit Yarn!
Merry Christmas!
