How to Make Easy Christmas Message Signs

1. Seek professional custom sign services such as BuildASign.com or SignsUS.com and follow the online instructions. You'll select sign material (for example, vinyl, metal, magnetic, plastic or wood) and customize your sign or choose a pre-designed Christmas message template; upload and edit an image, clipart and/or text; choose materials and order. In addition, seek out services offered by local sign or copy shops to make your signs.
2. Buy large sheets of poster board in varying widths and Christmas colors (for example, white, blue, red or green) and a large presentation or construction paper tablet.
3. Lay out your poster board, paper, colored pencils, markers and/or non-toxic paints and ask your family to help you make the signs. Distributing the work not only saves time, but can serve as a family project.
4. Use a desktop publishing program such as Microsoft Publisher. Select a 'Signs' template and load images/graphics and position on a background color of your choice. You can edit with text, color/special effects and/or clipart. Once finished, print on 8-1/2-by-11-inch label or sticker paper and affix to poster board. (Keep in mind that you can also print individual images or text this way.) Cut and affix in layers.
5. Stencil a Christmas message ('Happy Holidays' 'Merry Xmas' 'Welcome Santa!' or 'Let it Snow') on poster board. With your art supplies, apply the message to the board as an outline or fill using a combination of tools such as brushes, sponges or an airbrush. Use Christmas decoration stencils, such as holly leaves and berries or candy canes, to border and accent your message. You can also use alphabet and number stencils to add your family's surname, the year or other text.
6. Highlight your Christmas message signs with glitter or artificial snow. Gently glide a glue stick or brush puzzle glue or rubber cement along highlight areas and shake on the glitter or snow. Dry and then shake loose pieces into a container. Since puzzle glue dries clear, keep in mind that you can create imitation this way.
7. Punch or drill holes in your signs to hang them. Laminate when finished to protect and preserve them for future Christmas holiday decorating.