DIY Farmhouse Christmas Wood Block Gift Tutorial

In this article: This DIY farmhouse Christmas decor project is simple and quick. Make this wood block gift with metal ribbon as a centerpiece or accent piece on farmhouse shelves.

After spotting inspiration in the Christmas aisles, I wanted to create a few farmhouse-style accents for our shelves. The burlap-wrapped gift was the first project I tried. While finishing that piece, I thought: why not make a gift accent from wood? It felt like a natural fit for a farmhouse look.

The result was a fast, budget-friendly project that uses simple materials you may already have in your workshop or garage. This wooden block gift makes a great centerpiece, mantel accent, or shelf decoration for the holidays.

Related DIY decor posts: Stenciled Antler Sign; Painted Noel Wreath; Antique Book Page Garland

DIY Farmhouse Christmas Decor | Wood Block Gift

Supplies needed:

• 2 pieces of 2 x 4 lumber cut to about 3 inches each
• Wood stain (I used a medium tone like Minwax Early American)
• Foam brush for applying stain
• Clean rag for wiping excess stain
• Wood glue suitable for joining lumber
• Clamp to hold pieces while drying
• Aluminum tape or similar metal-look tape for the “ribbon”
• Faux greenery, small pine cones, jingle bells, or other small accents

Stain all sides of the wood except one flat side of each block

Apply stain with a foam brush and immediately wipe off the excess with a rag to achieve an even finish. Stain every side except one flat face on each block. Leaving that one face unstained helps ensure a stronger glue bond when you join the two blocks.

Glue two blocks together

Spread an even layer of wood glue on the unstained faces, press the blocks together, and make sure the edges align so every side sits flush. Wipe away any squeeze-out with a damp cloth before it dries for a clean finish.

Clamp together and let dry

Clamping is the most time-consuming part because you need to allow the glue to cure fully. Leave the clamp in place according to the glue manufacturer’s instructions—overnight is usually sufficient, though I sometimes wait longer if I’m not working on the project right away.

Cut two pieces of aluminum tape to wrap under and around the block

Measure and cut two strips of aluminum tape long enough to run under the block and up the sides to form a ribbon-like band. Aluminum tape creates a galvanized-metal look that pairs beautifully with farmhouse wood.

Peel off backing and adhere

Peel the backing and press the tape firmly to the wood. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles for a crisp metal finish. The adhesive is strong, and the tape really does look like a thin sheet of metal once applied.

Place a small bundle of silver tinsel or other filler on top

To create a base for the greenery, fashion a small bed from silver tinsel, leftover wreath material, or a few curled fabric strips and glue it to the top of the block. This helps tuck the faux greenery and accents into place neatly.

Embellish with faux greenery and small accents

Glue small sprigs of faux greenery into the tinsel bed and top with a tiny pine cone, jingle bell, or other seasonal accent. Keep embellishments proportionate to the block to retain that simple, rustic farmhouse style.

This finished wood block gift is an easy, budget-friendly farmhouse decor piece you can place on a coffee table, shelf, entryway table, or grouped with other rustic accents for a seasonal vignette.

Additional ideas and tips

• For a softer look, substitute plaid flannel or cotton fabric strips for the aluminum tape to form the “ribbon.”
• Create miniature blocks as place card holders for a holiday table—glue a small slit on top to hold a card or name tag.
• Experiment with different stain tones to match your existing decor—lighter stains give a more modern farmhouse vibe while darker stains read classic and cozy.
• Store seasonal accents in a labeled box so you can refresh the top embellishments year after year without rebuilding the base block.