Learn how to decorate a vintage sled with a charming Vintage Sled Christmas sign! Easy to make with a stencil designed to fit smaller sleds!
Any other antique collectors out there?
I personally have a passion for collecting wooden sleds for home decor. In fact, I’ve used a few old wooden sleds for Christmas decorating in the past: to hold Christmas presents HERE, a Buffalo Checked sleigh for the front porch HERE, and even a quirky sled shelf HERE!
I just love the little vintage touch a sled offers, much like winter decorating with skis or snowshoes.
So when Carlene from Organized Clutter suggested I design a Vintage Sled Company Christmas stencil, a major inspiration lightbulb went off! Of course! What better way to decorate an old sled for Christmas than to turn it into a Vintage Sled Christmas sign too?!
See how Carlene used used the Vintage Sled Company stencil HERE. SO adorable!
Taking the concept one step further, since there are shorter sleds and longer toboggans, I decided to create two stencils to suit either type of sleigh.
And the result for this little sled is positively charming!
A signed up vintage sled makes the perfect Christmas porch sign, or bring it inside, for either Christmas or winter decorating!
So let’s start with the stencils, then I’ll share how I painted and staged this vintage sled customized with the perfect sled sign to suit!
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Decorating a vintage sled with a DIY Christmas sign
Supplies you will need:
vintage sled
paint of choice – mine is Fusion Mineral Paint
(locate a local Fusion merchant HERE)
Where to find 2 different sled stencils
Vintage Sled Company – small stencil HERE
Vintage Sled Company Vertical stencil HERE
2 sled stencils were designed to fit either smaller sleds or taller toboggans. With text accompanied by a design of a vintage sled.
Just be sure to check the measurements of each stencil to ensure they fit the length of the sled you are using.
Preparing the wood planks
Working with my vintage sled, two planks of reclaimed wood were cut to size to fit the seat area of the sled.
Both planks are reclaimed wood fence planks that were cut to the desired length with a miter saw, then lightly sanded with an orbital sander.
Designing the Vintage Sled sign
I decided to cut the planks to be the same length as a couple of support boards along the sides of the sled. A perfect fit!
Stenciling the Vintage Sled sign
The planks were stenciled while they were still loose.
The stencil was positioned in the center of the two boards, then stenciled in various tones chosen to chime in with the original paint of the sled’s red metal runners.
Paint colors used:
Fusion Mineral Paint’s Picket Fence and Chocolate
Acrylic craft paint in an orangey-red to match the vintage sled metal rails (I used Americana Georgia Clay)
However any color scheme can be used to match your given sled details.
How to stencil for flawless results:
- Tape the stencil into the center of the boards
- Load stencil brush with paint, then off-load most onto a rag
- Tap or swirl the paint through the stencil for the desired effect
Learn more about how to stencil from THIS post.
Installing the sign boards
The sign boards were positioned onto the sled, then attached with screws directly to the sled wood.
The modifications were simple and cute, and easy to remove when desired leaving the integrity of the vintage sled sound.
And here’s where it ended up…
Decorating the vintage sled
My pretend Vintage Sled Company (which is actually my garden shed!) is now open for business!
A couple of weeks ago, I put a call-out to my neighbours to see if anyone had a sled I could borrow for photo shoots. I managed to land the top sled you see in the above pic right away! It’s so cute and nearly a mirror image to the sled I already had.
I think my favorite detail is the rope handles. Swoon!
Where to find antique sleds
I’ve personally had this vintage sled forever!
However they are relatively easy to find at either antique stores, thrift stores or checking out Facebook marketplace.
Other ways to decorate with vintage sleds
To hold presents under the Christmas tree
Use as a Christmas tree skirt (coming this Christmas, stay tuned!)
Hang a sled on a wall as a shelf
As a front porch Christmas sign
To store firewood near a fireplace
Use as a coffee table highered up with something underneath
As barn, garage, or shed decor
Hang a Christmas wreath or rustic sleigh bell on the sled
Vintage sleighs are worthwhile to collect because you can use them for Christmas decor or all winter long!
I’m quite happy how my new beautiful Vintage Sled Company is doing… I’m officially open for business!
All I need now is a little snow… and some string lights. Oh! And a solar light to illuminate that old rustic lantern!
I clearly have more ideas than time… but this sure was a great start, don’t you think?
What do you collect that you love decorating with?
Visit all my other Christmas projects HERE
Great idea to add the planks! Super rustic and fun.
I love all your ideas! We don’t have sleds down here in Louisiana, but if we did…..Love!
Donna, your shed looks absolutely darling! I love the way you filled the window box with seasonal greens! Looks beautiful!!!!!
Love your Christmas, winter decorating with vintage sleds. I have one also that I prop up on my porch with old pair of ice skates and a couple of pine boughs, Not sure the details about my sled, found it at antique shop 8-10 yrs. ago. The red is still great on it. I keep it stored in my shed in off season so helps keep it looking good. Just enough “old look” to it!
Thanks for sharing the ideas and your creativity with others.
Adorable of course!
So stinking cute. I would love to find a vintage sled here in South Africa, but I think my chances are zero to none 😀
Thank You I have this sled from my childhood and I loved your fun ideas. I’ve been hanging my old ice skates with big bow… may use it on a big table after Christmas displaying my cactus group.
Love these sleds; brings back memories!
I just had a thought when looking at your shed-is there another place to put your firewood so this could be a workshop/she shed? Just love it and all you do with it!