If you've ever decorated for the holidays and thought, “Hmmm… this needs a little more oomph,” then friend, you're not alone—and you're in luck! Because today, we're diving into one of my FAVORITE hacks for creating visually stunning, multi-level decor: colorful holiday risers!
Now, these aren't your grandmother's risers (actually… they might be—mine was VERY into painted wood blocks). These are bright, happy little platforms that give your candles, figurines, and glittery gnomes a place to shine. And guess what? They're CHEAP. Like, under-a-dollar-cheap if you play your coupons right.
Holiday Risers DIY Tutorial Video
What Even Is a Holiday Riser?
Okay, so I don't know if there's an official name for these, but I'm calling them risers because, well, they make stuff rise. Candle holders, snowmen, faux pumpkins—if it's cute and needs height, it's getting a riser.
Because flat decorating is just… sad. We want DRAMA. HEIGHT. HOLIDAY GLAMOUR!
Supplies (aka Treasure From Michaels on Old Lady Discount Day)
- Little wood blocks – $1.29 each (cheaper with coupons!)
- Lightweight wooden box – around $3-4
- Acrylic paints – I used cheap craft paints (hello, clearance aisle!)
- Paintbrushes – grab a pack, trust me
- Optional: ribbon, glitter, hot glue, enthusiasm
The Brilliant (Yes, Brilliant) Half-and-Half Idea
Here’s where the genius lightbulb went off. Instead of painting SIX Halloween risers and SIX Christmas risers, I made them DOUBLE DUTY. That’s right. I painted one side for Halloween and the other for Christmas. Flip ‘em around depending on the season and BAM—decorating magic, less storage space, more color happiness.
Halloween Vibes: Oranges and Purples FTW
For spooky season, I went with two shades of orange and two shades of purple. Why two of each? Because I’m an overachiever. Also because it looks SO DARN CUTE when they’re stacked. I’m making approximately one million faux candles this year, so these risers are giving me that tiered, moody mantle moment without breaking the bank.
Christmas Cheer: Red, Green, and Sagey Dreams
The flip side got a merry makeover. Think classic red, festive green, and my forever fave—sage green. We’re talking colors that work with candy canes, vintage Santas, and maybe even a Grinch or two. You can also sneak these into fall decor with some clever pairing. Color versatility? YES, PLEASE.
The Wild Card: Boho Christmas Box Riser
I had one random wooden box, so naturally I made it extra. Acid green base, pink and teal stripes, and a few dots for flair. This one’s for my Boho Christmas corner (yes, that’s a thing). You could totally personalize these for different rooms or holidays. Valentine's? Add red + pink. Fourth of July? Hello, blue and stars!
Pro Tips From a Crafty Veteran:
- Use acrylic paint. It’s opaque, quick-drying, and totally redo-able.
- Don’t stress the lines. Nobody is inspecting these under a microscope.
- Use your project as a palette. Lazy? Maybe. Efficient? DEFINITELY.
- Snag craft paint on mega-sale. Like 50 cents a bottle kinda sale.
- Jazz ‘em up. Ribbon? Glitter? Mini pom-poms? DO IT.
Colorful Holiday Home Decor Risers Wrapup
Once everything was dry, I popped these cuties under my candles and holiday doodads, and WHOA—instant upgrade. And the best part? With a little spin, they go from spooky to jolly faster than you can say “pumpkin spice peppermint latte.”
So if your holiday decorating needs a little extra lift, grab some blocks, paint, and a pinch of whimsy. These colorful risers are festive, fabulous, and oh-so-functional. Happy decorating, my sparkle-loving superstar!
Here are some more fun (and cheap) Holiday home decor projects:
- Wrapping Paper Christmas Trees – DIY Christmas Decor Ideas
- How I Made Spooktacular Faux Halloween Candles (No Fire, No Fuss, Just FAB)
- Spooky Halloween Thrift Store Candle Holder Makeover!
