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How to Design Your Own Dazzling Light-Up Sign

DIY Holiday Lighted Sign: A Festive Project with Martha Stewart

The holiday season is rapidly approaching! Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas is less than six weeks away. While it might be a bit early to completely transform your home into a winter wonderland, now is the perfect time to start planning some simple and beautiful holiday DIY projects. Imagine crafting unique, personalized decorations that will bring warmth and cheer to your home throughout the season.

When it comes to exquisite holiday decor, Martha Stewart is undoubtedly a leading inspiration. We’ve partnered with her team to bring you easy and festive DIY projects that anyone can accomplish. These projects are designed to be both achievable and visually stunning, allowing you to create professional-looking decorations without requiring advanced crafting skills.

In this guide, we’ll focus on creating a charming lighted sign using products from the Martha Stewart line at The Home Depot. While there are pre-designed light templates available (such as Joy, Peace, and Noel), we decided to craft our own word and template to perfectly capture the holiday spirit in our home. We chose the word “flurry” because of its delightful double meaning, evoking both gentle snowfall and a flurry of activity. You can even download our “flurry” template here! For even more holiday inspiration, be sure to check out the easy-to-follow videos and tutorials available here!

A beautifully crafted wooden sign above a stylish bar cart, showcasing the finished DIY project.
Photo: Bruno Bornsztein

Materials You’ll Need

To create your own personalized lighted sign, gather the following materials. You can find most of these items at your local Home Depot or online.

A collection of essential materials for the DIY lighted sign project, including battery-operated lights, gold paint, a paintbrush, and a fabric swatch.
  • Plywood: We recommend a 2’x3’ (1/2 inch depth) piece of plywood. You can have it cut to size at The Home Depot for your convenience.
  • Globe Lights: Opt for 3 strands of the 50 LED set, typically available in stores, or 5 strands of the 30 LED set, which you can find online. Consider these Martha Stewart Living Battery Operated LED Globe Lights.
  • “Flurry” Word Template: Download and print this template for a quick start, or create your own custom design.
  • Transfer Paper + Ballpoint Pen: These tools will help you accurately transfer your chosen word template onto the plywood.
  • Tape: Use tape to secure the transfer paper and template to the plywood.
  • Drill: A power drill is essential for creating the holes for the lights.
  • 27/64th Drill Bit: This specific size drill bit will ensure that your lights fit snugly into the drilled holes.
  • Sandpaper: Medium-grain sandpaper will smooth out any rough edges around the drilled holes.
  • Acrylic Paint: Choose a festive color that complements your holiday decor. Gold is a classic and elegant option.
  • Paintbrush: A high-quality paintbrush will ensure smooth and even paint application.
  • Brackets and Additional Wood (Optional): If you want to create a frame to conceal the string lights on the back of your sign, we recommend using boards that are 3″ deep by 1/2″ wide.
  • Danish Wood Oil (Optional): Applying wood oil enhances the wood’s natural grain and provides added protection.
  • Hanging Hardware (Optional): Select appropriate hardware for hanging your finished sign.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own stunning holiday lighted sign:

  1. Transfer the Template: Attach the transfer paper to your plywood and carefully position your chosen word template over it. Secure everything with tape to prevent shifting.
  2. Trace the Design: Using a ballpoint pen, firmly trace the outline of your word template. This will transfer the design onto the plywood.
The transferred design of the chosen word, ready for the next step in creating the lighted sign.
  1. Mark the Drill Points: Mark each dot on your transferred word with an “X”. These marks will serve as guides for drilling precise holes.
Close-up of the word design on the plywood, with each light placement marked with an 'X' to guide the drilling process.
  1. Drill the Holes: Carefully drill through each marked point using the 27/64th drill bit. Take your time and maintain a steady hand for clean, accurate holes.
  2. Sand the Edges: Use medium-grain sandpaper to smooth any rough edges around the drilled holes. This will ensure a professional finish and prevent damage to the light strands.
A hand carefully drilling a hole into the plywood, preparing it for the lights.
  1. Outline and Paint: Lightly outline your word with a pencil, then carefully paint within the lines using your chosen acrylic paint. Apply multiple coats if necessary for full coverage and a vibrant color. Allow the paint to dry completely.
The word design painted onto the plywood, adding a festive touch to the sign.
Applying a coat of vibrant acrylic paint to the outlined word design.
  1. Insert the Lights: Carefully feed the lights through the drilled holes from the back of the sign. To secure each light, remove the bulb from the light strand, insert the wire through the hole, and then reattach the globe to hold the light in place.
A hand carefully screwing a light bulb into one of the drilled holes, illuminating the festive sign.
  1. Apply Wood Oil (Optional): Rub a coat of Danish wood oil all over the plywood. This will protect the wood and enhance its natural grain, adding a touch of warmth and sophistication.
Applying Danish wood oil to the plywood to protect the wood and enhance its natural grain.
  1. Add a Frame (Optional): If desired, attach a 3″ frame to the sides of your board to conceal the cords and create a more finished look. Use wood glue and nails or screws to secure the frame.
  2. Hang and Enjoy: Attach hanging hardware to the back of the board, such as D-rings or sawtooth hangers. Hang your beautiful DIY holiday lighted sign and enjoy the festive ambiance it creates!
The finished DIY holiday lighted sign displayed on a stylish bar cart, adding a touch of festive cheer to the home.
Photo: Bruno Bornsztein

Crafting this DIY holiday lighted sign is a fantastic way to personalize your holiday decor and add a touch of handmade charm to your home. Enjoy the process, and let your creativity shine!

This project was created in partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All opinions and experiences are my own.