Christmas Sled

Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison welcome actress Jennifer Finnigan from the Hallmark Channel original movie "Welcome to Christmas." Cookbook author Donal Skehan makes a cranberry and white chocolate Christmas wreath. L.A. Times Test Kitchen … — Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison welcome actress Jennifer Finnigan from the Hallmark Channel original movie "Welcome to Christmas." Cookbook author Donal Skehan makes a cranberry and white chocolate Christmas wreath. L.A. Times Test Kitchen director, Noelle Carter prepares a bacon-wrapped meatloaf. "Seven Days" author, celebrity trainer Alec Penix shares how celebrating small victories will get us to our fitness goals faster. Larissa Wohl is joined by Muttville founder, Sherri Franklin, who specializes in rescuing senior dogs from shelters. Ken Wingard shows us a DIY repurposed sled. Paige Hemmis has a DIY gift wrap caddy. Maria Provenzano throws the ultimate holiday party. Ali Fedotowsky-Manno bakes winter animal cupcakes. Our family members discuss their most cherished holiday gifts. Credit: © 2018 Crown Media United States, LLC | Photo: jeremy lee/ Alexx Henry Studios, LLC.

So I don’t think we’re the only ones with an old sled (or two) in the basement somewhere. Maybe it’s from your childhood...or before you moved to Florida or California...or when the kids were younger. Well, it’s the perfect piece to use as a base for a dramatic holiday wall hanging. So get it out of the basement and let’s go!

MATERIALSSledSandpaper (optional)Paint (optional)Stencil or wood lettersWreathZip ties or floral wirePicture hanging wire

STEPSTo start, give your sled an aesthetic analysis. I had one sled that was beautiful and old and therefore perfect just as it was. I also didn’t want to damage it at all, so I used one approach for it.

I had another one that was newer and, well, not that charming. So, for the newer one I didn’t have an issue changing it, so I took a different approach. Let’s start with that one...

I sanded off the stripes and name logo.

Painted it ever so slightly with a dark red paint so that a lot of the wood showed through. I then went back with some dark brown paint on a crumpled paper towel and dabbed it on the edges to create an aged effect.

I taped on my stencils and painted on “HOPE”.

For my truly vintage sled the finish was so beautiful I didn’t touch it. I then used wood letters from the craft store and used a dab of hot glue to attach them. The glue will easily peel off if I decide I want to use the sled for something else in the future.