There are very few certainties in life, but I’m pretty sure this IS certain: If you walk into any Habitat ReStore, you’ll find a plethora of switch plate covers. Light switches, wall plates, outlet covers, in plastic, wood, and metal. So, I decided to do some Christmas ornament crafting with a few of them for my latest project on the Charlotte Region ReStore blog.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
They are SO plentiful and SO inexpensive, that they just seemed destined for an upcycling project. You know how much I love repurposing items that are easy to find in thrift stores, after all.
So, I decided to play around with a few them and transform them into super simple Christmas ornaments that anyone could make.
This project is sponsored by the Charlotte Region ReStore(s). All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.
Upcycling the Switch Plates
See what I mean, though? There are a LOT of them at Habitat ReStores. And if you dig a little, you can find all sorts of different ones to keep it interesting.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
After hitting up a couple of my favorite Charlotte Region ReStore(s), I ended up with a fun collection of different switch plate covers.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Plastic, wood, metal…light switch and outlet covers, even bank wall plates! Just a fun variety of switch plates to upcycle into DIY ornaments.
After I toyed around with a few ideas, I settled on my plan for some Christmas ornament crafting. And it involved a variety of stickers and decals from various craft stores.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Next, I figured out a plan for each switch plate. Paint color, embellishments, etc. And for any wood or plastic ones that needed a new hole near the top (if one of the existing screw holes didn’t work), I drilled a new hole at the top before I painted them.
Then, as you guessed, it was time to paint the covers! Depending on the colors I needed, I spray painted some and brush-painted some.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Then, the fun part- decorating with stickers and decals! The craft stores are chock full of all sorts of decorating embellishments at this time of year, and they’re usually on sale, too.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Lastly, I strung twine, string, or heavy-duty thread through the holes so that the DIY ornaments could be hung on the tree. In one case (the snowman), I did this step first before applying the snowman decal.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Such fun, simple, colorful Christmas ornaments that literally ANYONE could make! Stickers, decals, gift wrap, decoupage, hand-painted designs…there are just so many possibilities.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I didn’t take this step, but you could cover the backs with felt to make them look more “finished” on the back side.
Christmas Ornament Crafting with Switch Plate Covers
These are definitely the kind of Christmas craft project that you could do with the kids or grandkids to keep them occupied leading up to Christmas!
This idea for Christmas ornament crafting would be great for a virtual Girls’ Night In over Zoom, too. Grab a glass of wine, log on to your virtual craft party, and enjoy some “Only in 2020” type of fellowship.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The craft stores are filled with all sorts of festive supplies that you can use on this project. But, it’s just as likely that you have crafty bits and ephemera that would be perfect for it, as well.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And doesn’t an outlet plate work wonderfully as a little picture frame ornament? I think I need to make one of Mr. Seasongoods and I next, don’t you?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you enjoyed this super simple idea for Christmas ornament crafting with wall switch plates!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Think of these as decorating calorie-free Christmas cookies! Ok, not as tasty, but you won’t need to walk on the “dreadmill” afterwards, so that’s a plus!
Thank you for indulging me once again with my latest idea for the Charlotte Region ReStore blog! It’s so exciting for me to work with one of my favorite thrift stores each month.
Interested in another fun and easy idea for Christmas ornament crafting? Check out this “snow” ornament I made with clear glass ball ornaments before you go!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
You had me at switchplate covers. I thought, “what in the world is she up to now?” Your vision for upcycling is amazing, Sarah. Great job!
LOL, thank you!!
OMG, you are just brilliant, this is a fabulous project!
Thanks, Carole!!
“If I could only have YOUR brain” !!! This is such a great idea and sooo simple and soooo very, dangfully cute!!! Sadie, you never cease to amaze me! Merry Christmas!!🎄🎄
Thanks so much, Karolyn!
Excellent Idea! I especially like the wood/poinsettia one as it looks like a picture frame on the edges.
Believe it or not, but that’s a metal plate! The Father Christmas/Santa one is wood, though.
You always come up with the coolest ideas, Sarah, these are awesome!
Thank you so much! I’m hoping it’s a good one for folks to do with mid-age kids! (I’m not exactly an expert on kid crafts, LOL.)
How creative. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks, Rebecca!
What a great idea! I probably have 20 of these in my garage, because “you never know when you’re going to need an old cracked discolored socket cover again”. Now I can actually use them 🙂
Haha, right?? Ironically enough, we have a bunch of white outlets on hand! I clearly overcounted when we were modernizing the old house from all almond stuff to white switches and outlets! LOL
This is so creative and the perfect repurpose for light switch covers! I especially love the one with the kitties <3 I hope you have the best Christmas!
Thank you so very much, Michelle. Sending you virtual hugs and the merriest of Christmases to you and yours, as well!
Omgoodness ! This is just amazing I have tons of cream colors:
Thank you!
This is really meet.Im going to try to do one.Thank you so much for sharing.Anissa Parrott
These were so cute; gotta hit my local Restore soon!