Christmas in August - DIY Putz Houses

31 August

Welcome back to 12 Months of Christmas Ornaments. It's time for Christmas in August!

This month I'm going to show you how to make your own sweet Putz houses.

Christmas in August - DIY Putz Houses

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As always, there will be a YouTube tutorial below, and the written instructions right below that.

Supplies:

DIY Putz house pattern (download the pattern here)
Recycled cereal box
Craft paint - white, yellow, pink (or the color of your choice)
A paint brush
White craft glue
Mod Podge
Small clamps (or clothespins)
Chunky white glitter
Black Sharpie marker
Ruler, pencil, scissors
Bone folder (or butter knife)
Miniature items (bottle brush trees, deer, snowman, etc.)
Christmas-themed scrapbook paper (jut a small scrap)
Miter shears (optional)

If you don't know what a Putz house is, here's a quick definition:

Putz houses were popular from about 1928 through the 1950s. The story goes that they are named after Putz, a Pennsylvania German term meaning "ornament, decoration, or finery," and putzen "to clean, decorate." They were invented by the Japanese for the American market. Source: Retro Renovation.

Here's the video tutorial.

For the written tutorial, I am sharing how to make this one.

Step 1 - Trace the pattern pieces onto the recycled cereal (or other) box and cut them out.

You can get a bunch of houses out of a large cereal box. I've made four houses so far and have enough of the box left to make about four more!

Cut the pattern pieces out from the pattern I created for you (you can download it here), then trace them onto the cardboard and cut them out.

I included the measurements on the pattern so you can draw them out if you don't have a printer.

Step 2 - Score and fold on the creases.

Draw the fold lines onto your house pieces and then use the bone folder (or a butter knife if you don't have one) to score the cardboard along the lines.

This will help you fold a nice straight line.

Then fold on the lines and use the bone folder to get a nice crisp fold.

Do the same for the fold line on the roof. You can get the curve on the roof by wrapping it around a bottle.

Step 3 - Glue the house together.

Fold and glue the house together and hold it with clamps. Set it aside for drying (you can use hot glue if you are impatient 😉)

Step 4 - Create the base and assemble it.

Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to cover the bottom of the base and glue it on.

This way, if your house is on your tree, you won't see a recycled cereal box!

Now, glue the house onto the cardboard base (pretty side facing the table).

Place the house toward the back of the base so that you have a little front porch to decorate.

Then glue the roof onto the top of the house.

Step 5 - Paint the house.

Paint the roof and base of your house white.

Paint the house any color you want.

Step 6 - Add the details.

Draw the door and window onto the house with a pencil.

Paint the window yellow.

Paint the door any color you want.

Trace around the door and window with a black Sharpie. Add window panes and a doorknob too.

Step 7 - Add glitter.

Paint a layer of Mod Podge over the surfaces and add the glitter.

Step 8 - Add details.

Add the miniatures of your choice.

Every vintage Putz house that I've ever seen has a tree next to it so I chose to do that.

I chose to cut the base of my tree down and shave the back of the tree so that it would fit flush against my house. I used miter shears to cut the base down. This step is optional.

Step 9 - Sign and share your houses!

Be sure to sign the bottom of your house so future loved ones will know who made it!

And share your finished houses on the Facebook share thread.

Here is the house I made in the video.

If you'd like to catch up on the ornaments for January through July, check out the links below:

Retro Christmas Ornaments DIY - Christmas in January

Spun Cotton Ornaments DIY - Christmas in February

Old-Fashioned Felt and Sequin Ornaments - Christmas in March

Clothespin Dolls - Christmas in April

Retro Drum Ornaments - Christmas in May

Macrame Santa Ornaments - Christmas in June

Salt Dough Mushroom Ornaments - Christmas in July

I hope that you enjoyed this month's tutorial! If you did, I'd love it if you would share it 😊

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Comments by Blogger

Tuula @ Color Me ThriftyAugust 31, 2023
Both houses are so cute Tania! You'd never know they're made from a cereal box.
Marie-Interior FrugalistaAugust 31, 2023
So cute Tania! This would be a fun craft for me to do with my grandkids.
Michelle LeslieSeptember 10, 2023
I don't think I've ever heard of a Putz house, but they're adorable. I can see so many fairy-like possibilities. Thanks for sharing the how-to, Tania
Funky Junk InteriorsSeptember 15, 2023
Who knew a cereal box could become so cute! These are adorable Tania! And how wise of you to get going on Christmas early!
NancySeptember 17, 2023
You know i love putz houses and these are no exception!! Your little village is adorable!