Looking for a fun and festive way to add some sparkle to your front door this season? In this Christmas door hanger tutorial, we’re painting a retro Ho Ho Ho door hanger with a groovy disco twist! It’s full of bright colors, playful patterns, and even a little glitter — because what’s a disco ball without some shine?

It’s perfect for anyone looking to get crafty for the holidays — even if you’re a beginner. Let’s dive in and bring some retro holiday cheer to your home!

Supply List: What You’ll Need for This Project

Here’s everything I used in this Christmas door hanger tutorial:

• Wood “Ho Ho” retro door hanger blank
• “Ho Ho” retro door hanger template
• Paint Colors
  • Buttermilk
  • Baby Duck Yellow or Banana Cream (optional)
  • Gray Sky (primer)
    Primary Red or True Red
  • Melon (pink/coral)
  • Holly Green (dark green)
  • White (for mixing and detail)
  • Black (for outlines)

Where to find them: Shop these colors and more at decoart.com!

• Brushes:
  • Flat-tip brush (½ inch)
  • Round-tip brush (for leopard spots/trees)
    

Where to find them: You can grab these in my brush set on shopdoorhangers.com!

• Sponge pouncers (for flowers and flower centers)
• White and black paint pens (fine tip and chisel tip)
• Craft Twinkles glitter paint

Where to find them: All of these products are available for purchase on my Amazon storefront. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have every exact color — mixing what you have works too!

Step #1: Start with a Buttermilk Base

Let’s kick things off by painting the letter H in a creamy Buttermilk shade. Not sure if it’s too light or too yellow? Don’t stress! You can always tweak the color by mixing in a little Baby Duck Yellow or Banana Cream for a warmer tone.

PRO TIP: If it looks a little “off” at first, a second coat or a tiny color mix can make all the difference!

Step #2: Primer Time with Gray Sky

Before going bold with red, I recommend using Gray Sky as a primer to help those reds really pop. A light coat will do the trick! I covered all the sections that will later be red — including some parts of the letters and shapes throughout the design.

Step #3: Add in Your Red & Checkered Details

Once the gray base is dry, go in with Primary Red or True Red. For that adorable checkered pattern on the “O,” I mixed some Buttermilk into the red to create a lighter shade. This keeps the tones consistent and retro-looking!

Step #4: Paint the Green “H” and Disco Details

To get that perfect Christmas green, I used Holly Green as the base, then mixed it with white for lighter squares. I also added layered shades of green to create depth and sparkle on the disco ball.

Feeling fancy? You can sneak in a few Christmas tree-shaped leopard spots inside the letter H — just freehanded them with a round brush!

Step #5: A Pop of Pink and Flower Accents

Now it’s time to add some fun with Melon pink — a coral shade that really stands out! I switched to a smaller flat-tip brush here for precision. Then, using a sponge pouncer, I dabbed out simple 5-petal flowers in the same color.

Not confident with freehand flowers? You’re not alone! That’s why this sponge pouncer trick is a game-changer.

Step #6: Outlines, Finishing Touches, and Glitter!

The details bring this whole piece to life. I used:

• A white paint pen to clean up lines
• A black chisel-tip paint pen to outline and add shadow details
• And finally…Craft Twinkles glitter paint to make that disco ball shine!

Don’t forget — glitter is the cherry on top. Add as much sparkle as your heart desires!

Want More Tutorials Like This?

If this Christmas door hanger tutorial has you itching to paint more…then you’re going to love the Painter’s Clubhouse! It’s our monthly painting membership where women just like you come to learn new techniques, get step-by-step guidance, and connect with a supportive community that feels like family.

We’ve had teachers, nurses, grandmas, and busy mamas discover a whole new side of themselves through painting wooden door hangers. It’s not just a hobby — it’s a creative outlet, a form of self-care, and even a side hustle for some!

Come find your creative joy with us! You deserve it. Learn more about the Clubhouse here.