Top Tips to make your own hand-painted mugs for Christmas

Three easy instructions for creating amazing homemade Christmas gifts in no time.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly project to try out with the kids over the holidays or want to inject some colour into your home, why not get crafty with these dishwasher-safe hand-painted mugs? These DIY gifts come packaged with warm fuzzy feels and also happen to make beautiful Christmas presents for family members like uncles, grandparents, teachers, or friends (you’re welcome).

The best part about this craft idea it's simple enough that anyone can do it and makes for some fantastic results; especially if you have an artistic flair. We’ve put together three gorgeous ideas to help you get the creative juices flowing. Let’s get started.

Top Tips to make your own hand-painted mugs for Christmas

Make sure your mugs are nice and clean before you start painting and decorating. Clean them with dish soap and allow them to dry completely. This will help the paint stick to the mug better.
Select your colour palette before you start working on your mugs on a paint palette to make the whole process as smooth as possible.
For homemade gifts that last, instead of letting your mug air dry, bake the painted piece then seal the paint with a water-based polyarene varnish, clear acrylic coat or mod podge. Not everyone has a kiln lying around so you can also use a traditional oven to finish up safely.

What You’ll Need:

Abstract Brushstroke Mug

With bold abstract brushstrokes, these mugs are a gift from the heart that comes with a contemporary edge.

Start by picking your colour scheme and squeeze all your favourite colours onto your palette.
With a thick paintbrush, paint thick long strokes that end around the centre of the mug. The strokes should alternate from the top and bottom on the mug.
Dip a thin paintbrush in some black paint and paint some black dots in blank spaces between the dots.
Bake your mugs in the oven for 20 - 60 minutes, then seal the paint with a water-based polyarene varnish, clear acrylic coat, or mod podge.

Butterfly Mugs

This design idea is cute as button and guaranteed to get you bonus “aww” points for your homemade gifts.

Let’s start with butterflies’ bodies. Take your index finger and dip it in the colour you want, then place your fingers on the spots you want you butterflies to go on your mug. You can keep it monochromatic or switch up the colours.
Now it’s time to add the wings. Dip the tip of your finger into the paint colours you’d like for your wings, then add them to bodies you’ve already marked out.
Take a thin paintbrush and draw on some antenna - and you’re done!
Bake your mugs in the oven for 20 - 60 minutes, then seal the paint with a water-based polyarene varnish, clear acrylic coat, or mod podge.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Mugs

Update basic mugs with some rainbow magic to brighten up anyone’s morning coffee routine.

First, pick the colours you want in your rainbow. You don’t have to stick to the usual, you can get as creative as you’d like.
With a thick paint brush start painting your arches, getting narrower each time. Stop once you’ve painted three – be careful to leave room for your last arch.
Then with a thinner brush, draw on your final arch in the remaining space.
Now it’s time for the fun part. Use your acrylic markers to add that rainbow magic with some carefully placed sparkles.
Bake your mugs in the oven for 20 - 60 minutes, then seal the paint with a water-based polyarene varnish, clear acrylic coat, or mod podge.

There you have it! An awesome and simple way to create some lovely handmade gifts that your friends and family will love. Do want more? There's plenty of awesome do-it-yourself crafts on The Warehouse Blog.