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If you’ve ever wanted to try a wooden tray painting tutorial, this project is a must! 

Whether you’re new to painting or a seasoned crafter, this DIY is a fun way to make something beautiful and festive. This DIY painted wooden tray project also makes a perfect keepsake or personalized gift — especially for the holidays! 

You’ll learn how to upcycle a wooden tray into a sweet milk & cookies display for Santa with fun details that make it a treasure for years to come.

This guide walks you through each step so you can follow along from start to finish, so let’s get started!

Christmas Wooden Tray Painting Tutorial Supply List

Here’s everything I used in the project:

Tray and Template:

• Wooden tray (approx. 12×9 inches, came in a set of 3)
• “Milk & Cookies for Santa” template (printable)
• Graphite paper

Paint (All DecoArt Americana):

• DecoArt White
• DecoArt Light Buttermilk
• DecoArt Spa Blue
• Dark Chocolate (for chips)
• Black (for outlines)
• Primary Red (for stripes)

Brushes:

• Round tip paintbrush (medium and small detail)
• Thin detail brush

Extras:

• Mod Podge (for tape sealing)
• Painter’s tape
• Paper towel or baby wipes (for cleanup)
• Polka dot wired ribbon (for handles)
• Ink pen or Sharpie (for tracing)

Step #1: Prep and Base Coat Your Tray

Start by removing any hardware, like rope handles. If you’re going to keep the stained wood edges visible, tape them off for a cleaner finish. Apply three coats of white paint as a base, then a final coat of Light Buttermilk to get a smooth background. 

Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. 

PRO TIP: Use painter’s tape around the edges if you’re preserving the wood stain — this makes painting much easier and neater!

Step #2: Choose and Resize Your Template

Print your “Milk & Cookies for Santa” template to match the size of your tray. I printed mine at 100% to fit the 12″ tray, after trying 75% (which was too small). Cut and reposition elements to fit your layout — placing milk on one side and cookies on the other.

This is where your personalized wooden tray for holiday decor really starts coming to life!

Step #3: Add Background Snowflakes

Before tracing your template, use a round-tip brush and a mix of Spa Blue + Light Buttermilk to paint subtle snowflakes. These add dimension without overpowering your main design.

Don’t worry if they’re not perfect — most will be tucked behind your main image. And you can always use a baby wipe to clean up anything you don’t like and try again!

Step #4: Trace the Design

Lay graphite paper (black side down) onto the tray and position your printed template. Use an ink pen to trace the outlines onto your tray. Tape the template down if needed to prevent shifting.

Once traced, you can go over the lines with a Sharpie for better visibility.

PRO TIP: New graphite paper can leave behind debris. Wipe the back side with a paper towel before using it for the first time!

Step #5: Start Painting the Design

Begin with the glass of milk using your Spa Blue and Light Buttermilk paint mix. Paint the milk white. Then, move on to:

• Cookies: Start with the cookie base, then use Dark Chocolate for chips
• Straw: Paint it white first, then add Primary Red stripes
• Lettering: Use black paint and mimic the thickness and style of your template
  

Outline elements with a thin detail brush using black for definition. Don’t stress perfection. The imperfections are part of what gives it that hand-painted charm!

Step #6: Add Candy Cane Stripes to the Tray Edges

Use painter’s tape to section off candy cane stripes around the inner edge. I used a small piece of tape as a spacer to keep them evenly spaced.

Seal the tape edges with Mod Podge to prevent red paint from bleeding. Then, paint Primary Red stripes in two to three coats. Let dry, then remove the tape for a super satisfying reveal!

Step #7: Finishing Touches

Once everything is dry:

• Clean off any extra graphite with a baby wipe
• Paint the tray border if needed for extra contrast
• Attach wired ribbon handles through pre-drilled holes
• Optionally seal with resin for a glossy, durable finish
  

Now you’ve created your very own DIY painted wooden tray project that brings all that holiday cheer!

Keep the Christmas Crafting Going — Your Next Craft

If you loved this wooden tray painting tutorial, you’ll love our Christmas Camper Door Hanger project too! It’s fun, festive, and perfect for adding charm to your holiday decor. And the video shows you everything you need to make it, including the supplies!