30 Christmas Painting Ideas that You Can Paint Easily in a Few Minutes

Yay! It is almost Christmas!

Get that fa-la-la-la feeling going by dabbing into some Christmas painting ideas.

We believe that there is something absolutely magical about crafting a festive Christmas painting using your own hands. 

Now, looking for some inspiration?

Don’t worry about that. We have stuffed this blog post fuller than a Christmas stocking with a total of 30 best ideas for Christmas paintings. All effortless ideas that you can bring to life in nothing more than a few minutes!

You just grab your eggnog and settle in on the couch, because we are about to begin.

30 Christmas painting ideas that can be painted in just a few minutes

Ho-ho-hold your breath, folks!

We are presenting an array of painting ideas for Christmas that are perfect for decorating your walls or halls.

Whether you are just starting out with painting or you have some pro-level painting skills, you’ve jingled into just the right place!

These ideas are for everyone!

Well, we suppose, we will stop talking now. You see it for yourself!

Beginner Christmas painting ideas

1. Christmas ornaments with minimalism

If you are looking for a truly easy way that helps you jump right into the festive spirit, painting Christmas ornaments is a great idea in our view.

Make soft pastel backdrops in icy blues or frosty whites. Over them, paint simple baubles in red, green, and gold shades. Add strings so that it looks like they are dangling. Put a few white dots to depict sparkle to keep the details minimal. 

Why this idea top our list? 

It’s beginner-friendly and super versatile.

2. Festive holly wreath

We think that the holly wreaths scream Christmas charm! 

Initiate with the background in a soft and neutral shade, like white or beige. Then, make a circular shape. Afterwards, use green brushstrokes for leaves. Don’t forget to add a pop touch with bright red berries.

Want to make it extra merry? 

Add a cute red bow at the base. 

You know what makes this painting idea so delightful?
 It’s simple enough for beginners yet elegant enough to impress.

3. Christmas starry night

Who doesn’t love a twinkly twist?

Here, we are telling you how you can add it to a classic—The Starry Night by Van Gogh. 

To start, paint a deep blue background on the canvas. Then, for that dreamy starry sky appeal, blend some lighter tones. Design some little white and golden stars. You can perhaps add a simple silhouette of a house or tree, as well. Make sure to blend properly. 

And you are done.

In our opinion, this is the kind of painting that gives off a cozy, festive, and oh-so-magical vibe.

Christmas tree painting ideas

1. Glittery Christmas tree silhouette

Believe us, even a bit of sparkle goes a long way! 

To set things in motion, you first need to paint a light pastel background. Following that, make a solid green or black tree silhouette. Finally, sprinkle some glitter along the edges. You can also add sparkly ornaments.

This idea works wonders when it comes to capturing the festive glitz and glam of the season while staying super easy to create.

2. Watercolor pine tree

This one is our favorite. And, we think it will become yours too!

For a serene, dreamy holiday vibe, a watercolor pine tree is simply perfect. 

To take off this project, use soft green tones and blend them with darker shades. This helps in creating the depth effect. Add snowy dabs on the branches. Remember, the background stays simple. 

The result? 

A minimalistic, elegant masterpiece ideal as wall art and even for a Christmas card.

Read more: Best Christmas card ideas in 2024. 

3. Abstract Christmas tree

Feeling bold and artsy? 

In our view, an abstract Christmas tree is the way to go for modern holiday vibes.

Start off by using vibrant green strokes in zigzags, triangles, or even wavy lines. Then, add colorful ornaments and top it off with a bright star.

The beauty of this Christmas paint idea lies in the creative freedom it offers. You see, there’s no wrong way to do it. Your way is the right way!

Christmas winter landscape painting ideas

1. Frozen lake reflection

To us, a frozen lake reflecting snowy trees is pure winter magic.

Begin your journey of painting this masterpiece by blending soft pinks and purples into the sky for a serene sunset vibe. Once done with the sky, use icy blue tones for the lake. Apply delicate brushstrokes for the trees.

This idea is a fusion of breathtaking and calming, all at once.

2. Snowy cabin in the woods

Is it even a Christmas painting without a snowy cabin in the woods? It’s your transport to a peaceful winter wonderland! 

Get things started by making a soft, pale blue sky and a snowy ground. Afterwards, paint a little wooden cabin tucked in snow. Add tall pine trees to create that epic “in the forest” look. You can also sprinkle falling snow across the scene—it’s optional.

A cozy idea like this is just what you need if you are looking to capture winter’s quiet beauty.

3. Northern lights in winter

Oh, the northern lights! We think that there’s nothing more stunning than the northern lights.

The first step is to paint a dark, starry sky. Then the second, and most important, step is to streak it with vivid green. You can also add a hint of violets, pinks, or whites. Below, on the ground level, add simple black silhouettes of snowy pine trees. 

Your bold, dramatic, and endlessly festive Christmas painting will be ready!

Cute Christmas painting ideas

1. Christmas gnome trio

We mean, can you really resist these little, adorable, festive buddies? 

In our opinion, painting a trio of Christmas gnomes is an absolute delight.

Start with a snowy or starry background so it makes gnomes pop. Then paint gnomes, giving each one a tall, patterned hat in holiday colors like red and green. Make their round, rosy noses peek out from under their hats. Create fluffy white beards to complete their look.

You can perhaps personalize them to represent your own family or friends.

2. Elf shoes

Quirky and cute, a painting of elf shoes is a must for that dose of Christmas mischief!

Get going with a subtle background. Paint Elf’s curled-up toes in bright green, red, and white stripes. Add golden jingling bells. Apply a shading effect to give them a 3D look. 

These playful shoes, in our opinion, are the kind of decoration that adds instant cheer to any space.

3. Cup of hot cocoa

Nothing beats a warm cup of cocoa during the holidays, right?

To begin, paint a mug brimming with hot chocolate and topped with marshmallows. Add a candy cane stirrer and swirls of steam rising up for more detailing. Keep the background subtle yet merry.

An useful tip: Use soft browns for the cocoa, vibrant red for the mug, and creamy white for the marshmallows.

The result? 

Pure holiday warmth and sweetness!

Christmas lights painting ideas

1. Lantern and twinkling fairy lights

From what we’ve seen, a glowing lantern surrounded by twinkling fairy lights is the perfect blend of rustic and festive.

Kick-start the process of bringing this idea to life by painting a classic lantern with frosted glass and a warm candle glow inside. Next, surround it with pinecones, holly, or a string of tiny Christmas lights for that extra sparkle. Remember to apply a dark background to make the lantern and fairy lights glow. 

Looking at this painting, it’s surely going to feel like a cozy winter evening. The kind where you sip cocoa and watch the snow fall.

2. Christmas tree wrapped in lights

A Christmas tree wrapped in sparkling lights is like a festive beacon in the night. 

The first step is to paint a lush, green pine tree. Make its branches glowing with soft white or colorful lights. Maybe add a little star on the top, shining like it’s in the North Pole itself. Keep a snowy ground and a backdrop of shimmering stars for that extra Christmas-y touch.

With this scene, you will be able to capture all the peace and wonder of the season. It’s simple, yet so enchanting.

3. Twinkle-tastic string of lights

Oh, how we love a good string of Christmas lights!

Get, set, go—paint a zigzag of colorful bulbs (classic red, green, blue, and yellow) strung across a dark, starry background. From our perspective, adding tiny snowflakes or a frosty shimmer can take this painting idea to the next level.

That craving of witnessing pure holiday magic gets fulfilled with this, one of the most beautiful Christmas painting ideas on canvas.

Christmas snowman painting ideas

1. A dressed-to-impress snowman

Who doesn’t adore a snowman with some holiday style? 

Make a start by painting a snowman figure. Then, drape him in Christmas lights, ornaments dangling from his twig arms, or even a wreath as a necklace. Add a snowy base scattered with tiny, colorful baubles and a background of swirling snow.

The more festive flair, the better! It is going to look like your snowman just came back from the North Pole’s fanciest Christmas party.

2. Moonlit snowman

Ah, the charm of a snowman glowing under a big, wintery moon is just irresistible!

In our view, this one’s all about the cozy nighttime vibes.

To start, paint a snowman standing in the middle of a snowy field. Make his stick arms raised as if he’s saying, “I’m king of the snow!” Add twinkling stars, a glowing moon, and maybe a little lantern lighting up his smile.

This painting on your walls will be like walking into a dreamy Christmas bedtime story that is full of quiet magic and frosty whispers.

3. Snowman family

The happiest kind of frosty fun, straight out of a snow-globe dream, is what this idea is!

Paint a snow-dad in a top hat, followed by a snow-mom with a cute polka-dot scarf, and a snow-kid holding a candy cane bigger than they are. You can maybe show it like they’re building a tiny snow-pet or having a snowball fight under a soft winter sun. Adding little playful details—like buttons popping off or a carrot-nose looking slightly wonky—makes this scene feel alive and giggle-worthy. A few glittering snowflakes falling around them just seals the deal.

You have a perfectly Christmassy snowman family!

Santa Claus Christmas painting ideas

1. Santa holding a present

Oh everyone’s going to love this one!

Paint jolly old Santa Claus holding a brightly wrapped present. Don’t forget the musts—Santa’s classic red suit and white beard. Focus on the vibrant colors of the gift, such as reds, greens, or golds with detailed bows. 

We like to call this idea a mix of cheerful and classic.

2. Santa’s red hat

There’s nothing more iconic than Santa’s fluffy red hat! 

Start with a bold red triangle for the hat and add textured white paint for the trim. Keep the background soft—white or blue works good. Add tiny snowflakes for extra charm.

This is a simple design that packs a great festive punch!

3. Santa’s sleigh in the sky

To us, nothing captures the magic of Christmas Eve like Santa’s sleigh flying through a starry sky.

Get started by applying a dark blue background. Follow that by adding golden sparkles for magic dust. Now, paint a silhouette of Santa’s sleigh with tiny reindeer.

It’s enchanting and surprisingly simple to create!

Reindeer painting ideas for Christmas

1. Reindeer in flight

Oh, the magic of Santa’s sleigh crew soaring through the night! 

Proceed with a dark, starry sky that feels both magical and timeless as the backdrop. Once done with that, make a silhouetted reindeer leaping across a full moon. Sprinkle some glitter to make it look like the “reindeer dust” trailing behind them.

It’s the Christmas Eve itself you are looking at!

2. Rudolph’s starry night

Personally, we think nothing says Christmas like Rudolph’s shiny red nose lighting up a frosty scene.

So, paint Rudolph with his big, expressive eyes, soft fur, and antlers that look like they’re ready for some Christmas lights. Add a glowing background, maybe with snowflakes or a hint of Santa’s sleigh in the distance. 

A scene like this is a reminder of holiday charm and nostalgia.

3. Woodland reindeer charm

To us, a reindeer standing peacefully in a snowy forest is the epitome of quiet holiday elegance.

Go ahead with painting a soft brown reindeer with antlers dusted in snow. Surround him by frosted pine trees. Add a few delicate touches, like red berries or a scarf draped around its neck.

This is one of the most serene and festive Christmas painting ideas on canvas, adding a touch of rustic Christmas charm to your décor!

Christmas gifts and presents painting ideas

1. Santa’s sack surprise

There’s something magical about the idea of Santa’s gift bag spilling out its treasures. 

For this one, paint a house setting with a big, red sack overflowing with toys, candy canes, and ribbons trailing everywhere. Add a snowy ground beneath and scatter a few gifts spilling out for that extra touch of whimsy.

Well, you just painted Santa’s workshop full of surprises!

2. Under-the-tree bliss

Ah, this one is a classic, but in our view, it never gets old. 

First and foremost, paint a house with a Christmas tree adorned in twinkling lights and an array of beautifully wrapped presents nestled underneath. You can make each gift box have its own little personality. For example, plaid wrapping, shiny bows, or even a sprig of holly on top. Add a soft, glowing background to mimic the warm light of the tree.

It’s like looking at Christmas morning already! Magical and full of excitement!

3. Gift tower extravaganza

Stack presents into a jolly tower—we just gave you the most cheerful holiday painting idea! 

Show brightly wrapped gift boxes in every size, each one tied with bows that look like they belong in a Hallmark movie. Display red ribbons, gold glitter, and even a stray candy cane tucked into the pile. Maybe add a cheeky touch with a tag that says, “From Santa.”

In our opinion, it’s colorful, fun, and screams festive chaos, but in the best way.

Simple easy Christmas painting ideas of all time

1. Holiday candy cane stripes 

This one’s a sweet treat for painters of all levels!

Start with a white canvas and paint bold red stripes, just like a candy cane. To make it extra festive, you can add holly leaves or a light pink blush between the lines. 

How captivating this painting design is! We mean, it’s all about clean lines and holiday fun.

You can use it for decorating your kitchen or gifting to someone who can’t resist the sweet side of Christmas.

2. Snowy village silhouette

For a second, just think of a postcard from a dreamy winter wonderland…

Well, that’s the vibe we’re going for here!

Paint a gradient background of icy blues fading to white. Next, add tiny house silhouettes in dark brown or black at the base. Finally, sprinkle the scene with white snow dots, and voilà! 

We’ve noticed that this is one of those paintings that looks tough but is wonderfully simple. It’s the perfect project for beginners who want big results without the stress.

3. Cozy Christmas mittens

From our perspective, nothing says “warm and fuzzy” like a pair of festive mittens!

So, make two mittens dangling from strings and paint them in classic Christmas colors—reds, greens, or whites. You can add fun patterns like snowflakes or polka dots, and finish with fluffy white cuffs. Keep the background muted for a cozy vibe. Go for beige or pale blue.

This design is as easy as it is adorable.

And there you have it—30 best ideas for Christmas painting that you can get done with effortlessly in just a few minutes!

Now, before you go headfirst into painting already, let us tell you about the must-haves for your toolkit! These essentials are all you need to sleigh (slay) our above ideas!

What all do you need to start with your Christmas painting ideas

We know, we know, you are thrilled to try out the ideas we shared for Christmas paintings.

But, you can’t get started without the tools, right? After all, preparing and setting them already makes the entire process so smooth.

This is basically all you need:

1. Canvas or paper: You’ll need a sturdy surface to hold all your holiday cheer. A canvas feels extra special (and makes a great gift!), but thick paper works too. Either way, make sure it’s ready to handle a snowstorm of paint and creativity.
2. Paintbrushes: A trusty set of brushes is like Santa’s little helpers—each one has a job to do. Thin brushes for dainty snowflakes, flat ones for swooshing on a snowy sky, and round ones for everything in between. Trust us, they’ll work their Christmas magic.
3. Palette: In our opinion, a good palette is like a cookie platter at Christmas—essential. Use it to mix all those merry colors into just the right shades. A plastic palette works, or even a sturdy plate will do the trick.
4. Paints: Holiday art calls for colors as jolly as the season itself—peppermint reds, piney greens, frosty whites, and twinkly golds. In our view, acrylic paints are a no-brainer. They’re easy to use, dry quickly, and pack that extra holly-jolly punch we all love.
5. Water jar and cloth: Keep a jar of water nearby to clean your brushes between colors (so your snowman doesn’t turn Grinch green). And a cloth is a lifesaver for those inevitable oops moments. 
6. Extras: glitters, stencils, and tape: Glitter is the fairy dust of Christmas painting; it just makes everything sparkle! Stencils are perfect for those of us who, let’s admit it, need a little extra help with straight lines. And painter’s tape? A must-have for crisp edges that would make even Santa proud.

Having these essentials, in our opinion, prepares you for all the holiday painting festivities that lie ahead. Once your toolkit is ready, you’re just a brushstroke away from creating your own visual Christmas magic.

We will now also discuss some painting tips.You might believe that you do not require them at this time. You will, however, love them once you incorporate them.

Tips for making a Christmas painting that looks perfect

Alright, let’s sleigh it!

Christmas paintings are all about capturing that holly-jolly magic, and trust us, a few handy tricks can make your artwork flawless.

These quick tips will keep your painting on Santa’s nice list:

1. Sketch before you paint: Personally, we think a quick sketch is like a roadmap for your masterpiece. No need for perfection here. Just light pencil marks to guide your design.
2. Keep it simple: Starting with basic shapes like circles for ornaments or triangles for trees, helps build your scene. 
3. Choose Christmassy colors: In our view, Christmas calls for reds, greens, and whites. Add gold or silver for that festive glitz.
4. Layer, layer, and layer again: Start with a background wash, then build up your details. This technique adds texture and makes your painting feel alive.
5. Add festive details: Tiny snowflakes, glowing lights, or even peppermint swirls bring that extra sprinkle of holiday cheer. 

These tips are your ticket to creating a Christmas painting that anyone would fall in love with at the very first sight.

Now, while all this has been truly impressive, we’d like to tell you that there’s a more effortless, creative, affordable, and quicker way to bring these Xmas painting ideas alive. 

And, drumrolls, that’s with AI!

Let’s get to know more about it.

Generate AI Christmas paintings online

Who knew making a perfect Christmas painting would be possible without lifting a paintbrush or even spending hours on complex software a few years ago?

But, today, we are looking at artificial intelligence, which does make it possible!

Using tools, such as the AI painting generator by LightX, is like having a Christmas magic wand.

No effort, no mess! Just enter a text prompt describing the Christmas painting you want (like “a snowman with gifts under the tree”) and select a suitable image style. Voila—the AI will generate in just seconds.

We mean, why spend hours painting when the AI can do it all? 

Finally, download and print your painting masterpiece in high-quality to use it for decor or gifting, whatever you like.

And wait, there’s more! 

LightX doesn’t stop at painting—it’s your workshop for everything Christmassy. Explore AI Christmas photo filters to add an instant holiday touch to your photos. Try-on AI Christmas costumes in your photos before committing a purchase. Generate AI Christmas backgrounds in photos for snowy wonderlands, starry skies, and so much more. Discover festive, editable, free Christmas stickers of snowflakes, ornaments, and more to adorn your photos. Choose from unique, free Christmas frames with holiday-themed borders. Make a free Christmas collage for a photo packed with all the best memories together.

Once your photos are edited to perfection, share them on Instagram with a fun Christmas caption.

Read more: The best Christmas Instagram caption ideas.

In the end, we’d like to say that…

Let’s tie up this Christmas cheer!

From what we’ve seen, a Christmas painting is about the thought, the heart, and that sprinkle of magic that you put into every little detail.

Whether you’re painting something special yourself or taking it forward with the AI, it all comes down to an

Frequently asked questions

1. Is a painting a good Christmas gift?

To us, giving a Christmas painting feels like one of the most thoughtful gifts out there. A painting, whether it’s hand-crafted or AI-generated, has that cozy, heartfelt touch. It’s a keepsake that lasts forever.

2. How is AI used in painting an idea for Christmas?

AI for making a Christmas painting is like using a modern-day, only-needed tool. It helps create perfect paintings based on your Christmas painting ideas in no time through just a text prompt. You can think of it as having a fun way to blend creativity with a bit of tech.

3. Can I use the AI-generated Christmas painting commercially?

Yes, you can use your Christmas painting generated by AI in LightX commercially. For more information about the same, you can read LightX’s terms of use.