My favorite thing about these St. Nick Sticks is I can now cross “Use the word whittle in everyday conversations” off of my bucket list—livin’ large here. The second favorite thing about St. Nick Sticks is the game we’ve invented. We hide the cute little St. Nicks in a friend’s yard and then send them an email telling they have been “St. Nick Sticked” with instructions sending them on a search for the hidden sticks.
My kids were out of their minds excited when we hid sticks at our friend Fran’s house. My 5 year old yelled, “Run for the car, I think I hear the COPS!” When we got home he checked the street and assured me that we had not been followed.
The craft requires an adult to do a tiny bit of whittling, please do not let do this part turn you off, as you can also achieve pretty good results with a decent nail file.
This is what you will need for your St. Nick Sticks:
- Sticks
- Clippers
- A sharp knife
- A good nail file or sandpaper
- Red and white acrylic paint
- A paint brush
- A black Sharpie
PICK UP STICKS: I love that my kids are picking up sticks where ever we go and asking, “Mommy do you think this will make a good Santa Stick?” The key is to really examine the stick, check the bark the thickness, tap it on your leg to check for stability and make them feel that sense of accomplishment when they find a great St. Nick Stick.
Step One: Cut the stick at an angle with a good clipper. Make your sticks as tall or as short as you would like depending on how you want to display them.
Step Two: Whittle the end of your stick down at an angle. Try to trim the sides up a bit to make a pointy hat shape at the top. Now sand down the whittled stick to make it smooth. Again if you don’t want to whittle try sanding the end down well with a good nail file or sandpaper.
Step Three: Paint the beard, hat, mouth and nose and let dry. When the paint it dry, take a Sharpie and draw on the eyes. Outline the nose and/or draw lines for the mustache. Carve a flat spot on the lower part of the stick and write your initials.
TIME TO HIDE YOUR STICKS!
When you hide your St. Nick Sticks, make sure to whittle a part of the stick and write your name or initials on it. Jam them in the ground or up in the bushes while your friends are away. Then copy and send them this email:
You have been St. Nick Sticked! There are __ sticks hidden in your yard. When you find your sticks take a picture of them and post it on Facebook or e-mail the picture back to the person who St. Nick Sticked you. Write your name in the carved place with the other initials. Now you have to St. Nick Stick someone else. Either keep one stick for your own and make another or pass all of these sticks on to the next person. Happy St. Nicking!
Instructions for making St. Nick sticks: {Insert link to this post}
St. Nick Sticks are also super cute to put around your yard, in a planter box or tied in twine or raffia in a basket next to the fireplace.
Mushroom from Parcel in Montclair.
Holiday Craft Questions? Just Ask Holly in comments.
Have you been St. Nick Sticked yet? Post your picture on our Facebook page here.
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Well, it is with tremendous regret that I finally, this afternoon, surrendered my four wonderful St. Nick’s and St. Nicked my neighbor Deb’s house. REally, they’re so adorable I didn’t want to let them go. But I did.