21 Christmas Drawing Ideas
When December rolls around, everything seems to sparkle with a festive glow—stores fill up with twinkling lights, homes smell like cinnamon, and kids everywhere start doodling little Christmas trees in the corners of their notebooks.
Drawing during the holidays isn’t just for kids, though. It’s a cozy, therapeutic way to unwind, and it gives you something heartfelt to share with loved ones.
1. Classic Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the season. Start with a simple triangular outline and then layer branches with curved strokes. Add ornaments, tinsel, or a glowing star on top. You can make it realistic with pine needle details, or cartoon-style with bold shapes and round ornaments.
I like drawing different versions—one tree bursting with decorations and another minimalist tree with just a star and lights. Did you know Americans buy 25–30 million real Christmas trees every year? No wonder they’ve become the ultimate holiday icon.
2. Santa Claus Portrait
Drawing Santa Claus is like capturing the holiday spirit itself. Start with his jolly round face, rosy cheeks, and fluffy beard. His hat with the pom-pom instantly makes the sketch recognizable.
You can make Santa realistic by shading his beard strands, or go playful with a cartoonish chubby belly and twinkling eyes. Try different expressions too—laughing “ho ho ho” or sneaking cookies.
3. Reindeer with Antlers
Reindeer are majestic and fun to draw. Outline the body with gentle curves, focus on large soulful eyes, and add tall antlers. Make it Rudolph by adding a glowing red nose.
One trick: antlers can look intimidating, but they’re just branching lines. Start with a basic Y shape, then add smaller branches. Fun fact—male reindeer shed their antlers in winter, so technically Santa’s sleigh might be pulled by female reindeer.
4. Stockings Hung by the Fireplace
A row of Christmas stockings is cozy and nostalgic. Sketch a simple fireplace outline and hang stockings in different shapes and sizes. Add stitched patterns, candy canes poking out, or even small doodled gifts peeking through.
This drawing works great as a card design. When I was a kid, I always drew stockings stuffed with unrealistic things like basketballs and teddy bears bigger than the sock. That’s the fun—no rules here.
5. Snowman with a Scarf
A snowman is one of the easiest and most cheerful holiday sketches. Three circles stacked up, a carrot nose, coal eyes, and a scarf flapping in the wind. You can add earmuffs, mittens, or a top hat for extra personality.
Statistics show that building snowmen is one of the top 3 outdoor activities during Christmas in snowy regions—and it’s just as satisfying to doodle one.
6. Gingerbread House
This one feels like edible architecture. Start with a basic house outline, then decorate it with candy canes, gumdrop shingles, and icing swirls. Keep your lines playful—gingerbread houses are meant to look whimsical.
I once drew one so detailed it took me three hours, but the final sketch looked like something straight out of a bakery window. Adding shading to the “frosting” makes it pop off the page.
7. Candy Canes Crossed in a Heart Shape
Candy canes are simple but iconic. Draw two striped canes and cross them into a heart for a sweet touch. Stripes can be tricky—just curve them gently to match the cane’s shape.
Candy canes were first made in 1670 by a German choirmaster to keep kids quiet during church services. Imagine that—your doodle of a candy cane connects you to centuries of holiday history.
8. Snow Globe Scene
A snow globe gives you freedom to miniaturize an entire winter wonderland. Sketch a circle with a base, then draw a small scene inside: maybe a house, a pine tree, or even Santa’s sleigh. Add tiny floating snowflakes for the magical effect.
I love experimenting with snow globe drawings by adding unexpected things—like a cozy cat curled inside instead of a town.
9. Christmas Wreath
A wreath looks complicated, but it’s just a circle filled with overlapping leaf strokes. Add holly berries, a big bow at the bottom, or even little ornaments.
Tip: Use uneven, slightly messy strokes for the leaves—it feels more natural than perfect symmetry. Wreaths are also a great way to practice circular composition in your sketchbook.
10. Nutcracker Soldier
The nutcracker has a regal yet festive vibe. Start with a rectangular body, tall hat, and bold mustache. Add buttons, a sword, or patterned boots.
This drawing takes patience but feels rewarding. Fun fact: Nutcrackers became popular in the U.S. after WWII, when soldiers brought them back from Germany as souvenirs.
11. Presents with Bows
Drawing Christmas gifts is both simple and versatile. Start with cubes or rectangles, then wrap them with ribbon crossing in the middle. Top it off with a bow.
You can personalize each gift with patterns—stripes, polka dots, or even doodled snowflakes. I often draw gifts in different stack sizes, making them look like a mountain of surprises.
12. Hot Cocoa Mug
A steaming mug of hot chocolate feels like the perfect cozy drawing. Start with a rounded mug, add steam curls, and don’t forget marshmallows floating on top. A candy cane sticking out adds holiday flavor.
A survey by YouGov showed over 70% of people drink hot cocoa during the Christmas season, so you’re basically sketching a holiday tradition in liquid form.
13. Christmas Lights String
A strand of twinkling Christmas lights can be doodled across a page border. Draw a loose wavy line, then add little bulb shapes along it.
Play around with different bulb designs—classic round, teardrop, or oversized retro. I once used colored pencils to make each bulb glow slightly with a halo, and the effect was magical.
14. Christmas Bells
Jingle bells are iconic and surprisingly fun to draw. Start with a sphere, then add the small slit and ringer detail at the bottom. Pair them with holly leaves or a ribbon.
Adding shading gives bells their metallic shine. Did you know the song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving in 1857? Drawing them connects to a surprising slice of history.
15. Angel with Halo
A gentle Christmas angel sketch adds a spiritual touch. Draw soft wings, a flowing robe, and a glowing halo above. You can make the face simple or detailed, depending on your style.
I once drew a choir of angels for a holiday card—it took forever, but it looked like a heavenly chorus frozen in pencil.
16. Christmas Village Scene
For something more elaborate, sketch a small village covered in snow. Draw cozy houses, lampposts, and snowy rooftops. Add tiny people ice skating or pulling sleds.
These kinds of drawings become little storytelling landscapes. Every time I sketch one, I imagine the villagers sipping cocoa inside.
17. Santa’s Sleigh and Reindeer in the Sky
Drawing Santa’s sleigh in flight feels magical. Start with a crescent-shaped sleigh, add reins, and sketch reindeer silhouettes in a leaping motion. A dotted line of stars or snowflakes completes the scene.
When I was 12, I drew this across an entire notebook page—it looked like a scene from a movie poster. Pro tip: silhouettes against a moon backdrop always look stunning.
18. Christmas Cookies Plate
A plate full of holiday cookies is fun and customizable. Sketch gingerbread men, star-shaped cookies, or frosted trees. Add a glass of milk on the side for Santa.
Every cookie can have its own decoration. I once doodled a cookie plate where each treat had a goofy face—it instantly made the drawing more playful.
19. Polar Bear in a Santa Hat
A polar bear adds winter vibes with a touch of cuteness. Outline the bulky bear body, then plop a Santa hat on its head.
This works well as a cartoon-style doodle, especially if you exaggerate the bear’s fluffy fur. Polar bears are also a reminder of winter’s wild side—they can weigh up to 1,500 pounds but still look adorable on paper.
20. Christmas Fireplace Scene
Nothing feels cozier than a fireplace drawing. Sketch the brick outline, glowing fire inside, stockings hanging, and maybe a cat napping nearby.
I once turned this idea into a card where smoke spelled out “Merry Christmas.” You can get really creative with the little details—garlands, candles, or even a tiny elf peeking out.
21. Holly and Mistletoe
For a simple yet festive doodle, draw sprigs of holly with pointed leaves and red berries, or mistletoe with small oval leaves and white berries. Add a ribbon tying them together.
This works great as a border for Christmas cards. Fun fact: kissing under the mistletoe tradition dates back to ancient Norse mythology—it wasn’t always just about romance.
Conclusion on 21 Christmas Drawing Ideas
If you’ve ever stared at a blank sketchbook page in December, you now have 21 Christmas drawing ideas ready to fill it with festive magic. From the simplicity of candy canes to the storytelling charm of a Christmas village, these drawings aren’t just art—they’re little celebrations of the season.
Drawing during Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s about capturing the warmth, joy, and quirky traditions that make the holiday so special. Add your own twist—draw a Santa surfing, a snowman wearing sunglasses, or a reindeer playing guitar.
