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DIY Santa Gnome (Using a Mop Head)

This fun mop head Santa gnome is the perfect Christmas decoration to hang on a wall or a door. Using Dollar Tree supplies, this fun holiday decor can be made in 30 minutes or less.

All of the materials cost around $3, making this an affordable DIY Christmas craft.

A santa claus hanging ornament with tassels and pine cones.

We love DIY gnomes, so be sure to see more of our ideas at the end of this tutorial!

A wooden santa claus hanging on a white wall.

DIY Mop Head Santa Gnome

All materials, other than paint, were purchased at the Dollar Tree.

Supplies

  • Jumbo Craft Sticks
  • Cotton Mop Head
  • Wooden Ball or Bead
  • White Tinsel Pom Poms
  • Red Acrylic Craft Paint and Paintbrush
  • Hot Glue Gun or Craft Glue
  • Twine (or Ribbon)
A craft kit with a glue gun, glue sticks, and cotton balls.

Directions

Step 1

Cut approximately 30 individual strings from the cotton mop head with scissors.

A pair of scissors and a mop on a wooden surface.

Step 2

To create the Santa hat, make a triangle with three jumbo craft sticks. Then glue the corners together.

Two popsicle sticks with a glue gun next to them.

Step 3

Lay down additional jumbo craft sticks along the length of the triangle Santa hat. Mark with a pencil the point just before the craft sticks start to overhang the hat form.

Popsicle sticks with pencils on a wooden table.

Trim the ends of those jumbo craft sticks with scissors at the marks.

Popsicle sticks and scissors on a wooden table.

Step 4

Glue the trimmed popsicle sticks to the back of the hat form, securing the ends of the sticks to the outer edge of the hat.

A glue gun with a triangle on top of it.

Step 5

Paint the entire Santa hat with red acrylic craft paint.

Let dry, and apply a second coat, if needed.

A red triangle with paint and a brush next to it.

Step 6

Glue large white tinsel pom poms to the bottom edge of the Santa hat.

A glue gun and pom poms on a wooden table.

Step 7

Flip the gnome hat over and glue 15 cotton mop head strings along the base of the bottom craft stick. Then glue 15 more cotton mop head strings over that layer.

A pair of scissors and a glue gun on a wooden table.

Trim the ends of the mop gnome beard with scissors to be even across.

A santa claus hat and scissors on a wooden table.

Step 8

Glue the wooden ball to the top center of Santa’s beard, just underneath the pom pom hat brim.

A santa claus hat with a glue gun.

Step 9

Glue a jumbo white tinsel pom pom to the top of Santa’s hat.

A santa claus wreath with pom poms and a glue gun.

Then glue the ends of a 12” length of twine to the right and left side of the back of the gnome Santa hat.

A glue gun, scissors, and a piece of rope on a wooden table.

This Santa Gnome is so cute and easy to make!

Love gnomes? We have so many cute gnome crafts for you to see next, including:

Be sure to Pin This craft to save for later!

We love mop gnomes. See these cotton mop crafts, too:

Nicole L

Friday 15th of December 2023

This is a super cute ornament! It would be great for students to make to give to their parents for Christmas.