Adorable DIY Reindeer Christmas Decor: Amazing Recycle Idea

Do you like to decorate with reindeer Christmas decor? Y’all I’m obsessed with them this year. Wait until you see what I made with recycled toilet paper rolls. I’ve been using a lot of reindeer this year and couldn’t resist one more DIY reindeer project. The idea behind creating this adorable and inexpensive craft is interesting. Let me tell you how it all started.

I was visiting my friend, and she had some of the cutest reindeer she picked up at a high-end boutique. I commented on how cute they were, and naturally, I wanted them. After checking them out, I said I think I could make those. And without missing a beat, she said, “Of course you can”!

My first thought was a toilet paper roll would be perfect for the body, and the plan was underway.

I hope you like how they turned out.

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DIY Felt Reindeer Christmas Decor

This simple DIY Reindeer Christmas Decor is an easy project made with recycled toilet paper rolls, aluminum foil, felt, yarn, and twigs.

I decided to use aluminum foil to make the shape of a head for the reindeer. The body will be made from a toilet paper roll, and the antlers will be made from twigs.

There were two major challenges.

1. First, how to wrap the felt around the head.
2. How to get them to stand.

After a few trials and errors, I managed to get the aluminum foil head wrapped. I realized it didn’t have to be perfect, as several areas will be covered.

I considered looking for some little shoes like the ones my inspiration reindeer is wearing but then decided it wasn’t worth the effort. The solution was to make the DIY Reindeer seated instead of standing. They would be just as cute and a lot less trouble to make.

Supplies

I used these materials and tools to make the DIY Reindeer Christmas decor. I made two reindeer, and here is precisely what was needed.

• 2 – Toilet Paper Rolls
• Less than 1/4 yard tan felt fabric.
• Scraps of brown felt fabric
• Approx. 2 yards of fur yarn.
• scarps of gold ribbon
• Hot Glue Gun
• Finger Protectors
• Needle and creme thread
• Scissors
• Aluminum foil
• A few small foraged twigs
• Gold Metallic Paint

How To Make DIY Reindeer Christmas Decor

First, prepare an area to apply the hot glue without damaging your surface. I added a sheet of wax paper to the table. Gather your materials and tools, and let’s get started.

Begin by cutting a piece of the tan felt fabric to cover the recycled toilet paper roll. Be sure the fabric will overlap when wrapped around the roll.

Add a line of hot glue and attach the felt fabric around the paper roll.

Seal the Top of the Toilet Paper Roll

Next, tuck the top of the toilet paper roll inward, and stitch the two sides together using a needle and thread.

Then, tuck the other side inward and stitch it into place. This will make the area flat to attach the head. It also leaves two areas for the arms to connect.

Make The DIY Reindeer Head With Aluminum Foil.

First, ball a piece of aluminum foil and squeeze it into an oval shape. You want the head slightly longer than the toilet paper roll but not as wide.

Then, cut a piece of the tan felt fabric in an oval shape that is large enough to wrap around the foil.

I’m being honest with you when I say it took me a while to figure out this step. The felt fabric I used was thick and not very pliable. I tried to stitch the fabric around the aluminum foil head, and that didn’t work. Finally, I realized that the hot glue gun was the best option. So I put my finger protectors on, and it worked.

Begin by attaching the felt to the foil with hot glue to the underside of the head. You will want to cut a V shape from the fabric at the sides, as shown below.

Working from the front of the head, use hot glue to attach the felt to the foil while pulling the fabric taut.

You may need to cut more of the felt fabric away as you go.

Then, working from the backside, cover the foil as best you can. This area will be hardly visible once the project is complete.

In the image below, you can see what the DIY reindeer body and head look like, so don’t be discouraged if yours is not cute yet.

Use a generous amount of hot glue to attach the head to the body.

Add Trim Details To DIY Reindeer Christmas Decor

Now, you are ready to add the face to your DIY reindeer.

Begin by cutting some small pieces of the brown felt fabric. I cut an oval piece for the nose and attached it with hot glue.

Next, cut two eyes from the same brown fabric. Attach the eyes to the area where the fabric is creased. Because they are so tiny, use a pin or tweezers to get in place.

Cut ears from the tan fabric in an oval shape. Add a drop of hot glue at the bottom and pinch them together. Hold until the glue sets. Then, use hot glue to attach them to the head.

Make Arms and Legs

Or is it legs and legs? Okay, I’m not sure if that is the correct term for a reindeer, but I will go with it. My reindeer are unique and have arms and legs. LOL

Cut a piece of tan felt fabric approximately six inches long to make them. Roll into a tube and use hot glue to attach.

Cut the tube in half and use hot glue to attach the arms in the indented areas next to the head.

Repeat the process for the legs. Cut a circle of the brown felt fabric and attach it to the ends of the legs. However, set the legs aside, and we will attach them later.

Add Hat

Now, you are ready to add the hat. You could use more felt or other fabric, but I used gold ribbon to create a festive hat.

Cut a small piece of the ribbon and roll it into a cone-shaped hat, similar to a party hat. Use hot glue to hold its shape and add it between the reindeer ears with a bead of hot glue.

Add Fur Trim

Now, you are ready to add the fur trim.

Begin by adding a small amount of fur to the point of the hat with a drop of hot glue. Add more hot glue around the ends of the arms and wrap the fur yarn around each wrist.

Before adding all the trim, you will need to attach the antlers.

Gathered Foraged Twig Antlers

The reindeer antlers are made from twigs I gathered in my yard.

I used metallic gold paint to spruce them up. After the paint is dry, you can attach them to your reindeer.

Gather a few of your twigs and use hot glue to attach a set to the backside of the deer head. Allow the antlers to spread out on both sides of the shoulders.

Now, you can finish adding the fur trim.

Add the fur around the DIY reindeer neck, covering the ends of the antlers where they are attached to the body. Then, add two rows of fur yarn down the front of the body.

Next, attach the legs at the bottom of the body with hot glue. After the glue is dry, wrap another row of fur yarn around the bottom of the reindeer and over the legs.

DIY Reindeer Christmas Decor Recycle Project

So, the project only cost $4.00 to make, and that’s because I had to buy 1/4 yard of the fabric and didn’t need even half of it.

I let one of the reindeer hold a twig with a metal star attached. He’s also a little shorter than the first one. I cut approximately 1/2 inch from the toilet paper tube before beginning the assembly.

I love the adorable reindeer for Christmas decorating. What do you think?

It’s always fun to challenge yourself, and it’s a win-win situation when you can recreate a high-end decor item that looks as good as the original.

I hope you are inspired to look beyond the obvious when decorating your home for the holidays and beyond.

Resources

To see links for the resources, click the images below. In addition, you can see all my favorite DIY Holiday Items and the 2023 Gift Guide for everyone one your list by clicking the images in the photo.

Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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