Looking for something festive to draw this Christmas? I’ve gathered more than 100 easy Christmas drawing ideas to help you fill your sketchbook with plenty of holiday cheer.
You’ll find everything from Santa Claus, snowmen, and Christmas trees to gingerbread houses, ornaments, winter animals, and lots of cute Christmas doodles. There are simple ideas for kids and beginners along with more detailed drawings that older kids and adults can enjoy.
These Christmas drawing ideas are perfect for a quiet afternoon at home, classroom art time, handmade Christmas cards, gift tags, or simply getting into the holiday spirit.
And if you want to keep some drawing inspiration handy, be sure to grab the free Christmas drawing printable in my Freebies Vault!
Want actual instructions for drawing some of the Christmas classics? Try my Christmas step-by-step drawing ideas for easy tutorials including Santa, a snowman, gingerbread man, Christmas tree, candy cane, and more.
Table of Contents
Classic Christmas Drawing Ideas
Sometimes the best place to start is with the Christmas classics. Santa, Christmas trees, snowmen, candy canes, and ornaments are all recognizable and easy to personalize.
Beginners can keep the shapes simple, while more experienced artists can add extra details, shading, backgrounds, and color.
Santa Drawing Ideas
Of course, we have to start with the big guy himself!
Santa is one of my favorite Christmas things to draw because there are so many ways to create him. Try a simple Santa face with his fluffy beard and red hat, draw him carrying his bag of presents, or create a full Santa Claus standing beside a Christmas tree.
For an extra cute version, give Santa rosy cheeks, a big round nose, and an oversized hat.
Christmas Tree Drawing Ideas
Christmas trees are perfect for beginners because you can start with very basic shapes.
Draw a simple triangle-style evergreen tree, a tall Christmas tree covered in ornaments, or a snowy tree surrounded by presents. Kids can have fun decorating each tree differently with stars, candy canes, lights, garland, and colorful ornaments.
This is also an easy Christmas drawing to turn into a handmade card.
Cute Snowman Drawing Ideas
A few circles are all you need to get started with an adorable snowman.
Add a scarf, buttons, carrot nose, mittens, and your favorite winter hat. You could even draw an entire snowman family or give each snowman a completely different personality.
Snowmen are especially fun for younger artists because there really isn’t a wrong way to decorate one.
Easy Christmas Elements to Draw
If you’re looking for small and simple Christmas drawing ideas, try drawing individual holiday elements.
Some easy Christmas things to draw include stockings, mittens, holly leaves and berries, Christmas bells, bows, presents, candles, stars, Santa hats, hot cocoa mugs, and evergreen branches.
These little drawings are great for filling empty spaces in a sketchbook or decorating handmade Christmas cards and gift tags.
Christmas Elf Drawing Ideas
Santa needs a little help getting ready for Christmas!
Christmas elves can be as simple or detailed as you like. Start with a pointy hat and big elf ears, then add striped stockings, curly shoes, rosy cheeks, or a tiny Christmas present.
Younger kids can draw simple elf faces while older artists can create an entire North Pole scene.
Christmas Ornament Drawing Ideas
Christmas ornaments are another great beginner-friendly drawing idea because you can start with circles, teardrops, stars, or other simple shapes.
Then comes the fun part: decorating them!
Try stripes, dots, snowflakes, little Christmas trees, candy canes, holly, or even tiny winter scenes inside each ornament.
Reindeer Drawing Ideas
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa’s reindeer.
Draw a simple reindeer face with antlers, a cute Rudolph with his famous red nose, or a full reindeer dressed in a scarf and Christmas bells.
You can also draw several reindeer together and give each one a different expression.
Holiday Wreath Drawing Ideas
A Christmas wreath is easier to draw than it looks.
Start with a large circle, add evergreen branches around it, and finish with berries, pinecones, ornaments, or a big Christmas bow.
These drawings look especially pretty on homemade Christmas cards.
Candy Drawing Ideas
Christmas and sweet treats seem to go hand in hand, so why not add a few to your sketchbook?
Try candy canes, peppermint candies, decorated Christmas cookies, lollipops, gumdrops, or a mug overflowing with marshmallows.
For an easy doodle page, mix several Christmas treats together and add tiny stars and snowflakes between them.
Christmas Inspired Doodles
You don’t have to create one large picture. Sometimes a whole page of little Christmas doodles is even more fun.
Fill a page with tiny presents, Santa hats, bells, stockings, snow globes, Christmas trees, bows, stars, candy canes, and mugs of cocoa.
This is an easy way to practice drawing without worrying about making one picture perfect.
Nutcracker Drawing Ideas
Nutcrackers have so many fun details to draw, from their tall hats and uniforms to their boots, buttons, and mustaches.
Keep the design simple for younger artists, or spend extra time adding patterns and details to create a more traditional Christmas nutcracker.
You could even draw several nutcrackers with different uniforms and colors.
Snowflake Drawing Ideas
I love drawing snowflakes because no two have to look exactly alike.
Start with a few intersecting lines, then add small branches, diamonds, dots, and other shapes to create your design. Make them simple and bold or delicate and detailed.
Try filling an entire page with different snowflake designs.
Winter Inspired Doodles
Not every holiday drawing has to be strictly Christmas-themed.
Add cozy winter doodles such as knit hats, mittens, scarves, snow-covered trees, ice skates, sleds, snowballs, igloos, and warm mugs of cocoa.
These are easy to mix with your Christmas drawings to create a full winter sketchbook page.
Festive Gnomes Doodles
You know I love a good Christmas gnome!
Their tall hats and round noses make them surprisingly easy to draw. Add a fluffy beard, striped hat, tiny mittens, or a Christmas present to make each gnome different.
They’re adorable on cards, gift tags, and other holiday crafts too.
Christmas Poinsettias Doodle
Bright red poinsettias, with vibrant petals and lush green leaves, are beloved Christmas staples that bring festive charm to holiday decor. These iconic flowers symbolize the spirit of the season, adding warmth and joy to our celebrations. Whether displayed on a mantelpiece, wreath, or holiday table, poinsettias remind us of the magic and wonder that make the holidays special. This drawing would be lovely on any handmade holiday card.
Save this post to Pinterest so you can come back whenever you need a new Christmas drawing idea. With more than 100 ideas here, you could easily turn this into a December drawing challenge and choose a different picture each day.
Christmas Scene Drawing Ideas
Ready to move beyond individual doodles? Combine several smaller drawings to create an entire Christmas scene.
These ideas are especially fun for older kids and adults who want a slightly bigger drawing project.
Santa’s Sleigh Scene
Draw Santa flying through the night sky in his sleigh with a team of reindeer leading the way.
Add a big moon, twinkling stars, clouds, snowy rooftops, and a sack full of Christmas presents.
You can keep the scene simple or fill the entire page with details.
Christmas Eve Drawing Ideas
There are so many cozy little details you can include in a Christmas Eve drawing.
Try a warm fireplace with stockings hanging from the mantel, a plate of cookies waiting for Santa, a rocking horse beside the Christmas tree, wrapped presents, or a mug of hot cocoa.
A sleeping cat or dog curled beside the tree makes the scene even cuter.
Gingerbread Family Doodle
Instead of drawing just one gingerbread man, create an entire gingerbread family.
Give each one different icing decorations, candy buttons, bows, hats, scarves, and funny expressions.
This is an especially fun Christmas drawing idea for kids because they can make each gingerbread person look completely different.
Winter Village Scene Drawing
Create a snowy Christmas village filled with tiny houses, evergreen trees, glowing windows, snow-covered mountains, and a starry winter sky.
Add people carrying presents, children building snowmen, or a sleigh in the distance.
Start with just a few simple elements and continue adding details until your winter scene feels complete.
Gingerbread House Drawing Idea
A gingerbread house gives you an excuse to add as much candy as you want without having to bake anything!
Start with a simple house shape and decorate it with gumdrops, candy canes, peppermints, icing, cookies, and powdered-sugar snow.
There are no rules here, so make your gingerbread house as colorful and over-the-top as you like.
Winter Wonderland Animals Scene
Combine several of the cute animal drawings below into one snowy winter scene.
Draw woodland animals wearing scarves and hats, then surround them with evergreen trees, falling snow, and little piles of presents.
This would make an adorable handmade Christmas card for an animal lover.
Cute Christmas Animal Drawing Ideas
This might be my favorite part of the list.
Almost any animal becomes a Christmas drawing once you give it a Santa hat, scarf, string of Christmas lights, or tiny wrapped present.
These cute Christmas animal drawings are perfect when you want something a little sillier than the traditional holiday characters.
Cute Christmas Dog Drawing Ideas
A dog wearing a Santa hat is pretty hard to resist.
Draw your favorite breed sitting beside a present, tangled in Christmas lights, wearing reindeer antlers, or peeking out of a stocking.
These drawings would also make adorable designs for Christmas painted rocks.
Funny Christmas Cat Drawing Ideas
Anyone who owns a cat knows that Christmas trees and curious cats can be an interesting combination!
Draw a cat hiding underneath the tree, batting at an ornament, curled inside a gift box, or proudly wearing a Santa hat.
A mischievous Christmas cat makes a fun handmade card for another cat lover.
Jolly Hedgehog Doodle
Give a tiny hedgehog a Christmas makeover with a festive hat, scarf, or string of lights.
You can even draw several hedgehogs carrying presents or gathered around a miniature Christmas tree.
Festive Flamingos Drawing Idea
Christmas flamingos might not be traditional, but they’re definitely fun.
Give your flamingo a Santa hat, striped scarf, Christmas lights, or even a little wreath around its neck.
It’s a quirky Christmas drawing idea that works especially well if you want something completely different from the usual snowmen and reindeer.
Christmas Mice Doodle
Tiny Christmas mice make an adorable holiday drawing.
Try drawing a mouse family wearing Santa hats, carrying ornaments, sitting inside a wreath, or decorating a miniature Christmas tree.
Use small details such as wrapped gifts and candy canes to turn the drawing into an entire Christmas scene.
Holly Jolly Frogs Drawing Idea
Yes, even frogs can celebrate Christmas!
Draw a cheerful frog wearing a Santa hat or scarf, holding a Christmas present, or sitting beside a tiny decorated tree.
Sometimes the unexpected Christmas drawing ideas are the most fun.
Holiday Owls Drawing Idea
Give a wise little owl some Christmas spirit with a Santa hat, scarf, or evergreen branch.
Owls are easy to personalize with different eye shapes and expressions, so try drawing a whole family sitting together on a snowy branch.
Christmas Sloth Drawing Ideas
For the sloth lovers, draw one slowly making its way through the Christmas season.
A sloth hanging from a string of Christmas lights, holding an ornament, or wearing a Santa hat makes an especially cute holiday doodle.
Silent Night Sheep’s Drawing Idea
These sleepy little sheep are perfect for a peaceful Christmas drawing.
Add Santa hats, stars, a moonlit sky, or a Christmas tree in the background to create a sweet “Silent Night” inspired scene.
Christmas Raccoons Doodle
Raccoons already look like they’re up to something, which makes them perfect for funny Christmas drawings.
Try drawing raccoons decorating a tree, opening presents, carrying ornaments, or getting tangled in Christmas lights.
Winter Penguins Drawing Ideas
Penguins and winter art just belong together.
Draw a penguin wearing earmuffs and a scarf, holding a Christmas present, skating across the ice, or standing beside a tiny snowman.
Keep the body shapes simple for an easy Christmas drawing that younger kids can enjoy.
Christmas Fox Drawing Ideas
Finish your Christmas animal collection with a cozy winter fox.
Draw a fox curled up in the snow, wearing a scarf, carrying a gift, or sitting beneath a snowy evergreen tree.
The warm orange fur looks especially pretty against blue and white winter backgrounds.
Download our Christmas Printable Drawing Prompts
Drawing Supplies and Tips for Beginners
You really don’t need a fancy art setup to enjoy these Christmas drawing ideas. A pencil and a piece of paper are enough to get started.
A few supplies I like having nearby include:
- Sketch paper or a mixed-media sketchbook
- Regular or sketching pencils
- A good eraser
- Fine-tip black pens for outlining
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Crayons for younger kids
If you’re new to drawing, start with the easiest designs first. Look for circles, triangles, rectangles, curved lines, and other simple shapes within the picture.
Sketch lightly with your pencil so mistakes are easy to erase. Once you like the basic shape, darken the lines and start adding smaller details.
And don’t worry about making your drawing look exactly like the example. Change the colors, facial expressions, decorations, or backgrounds and make it your own.
That’s half the fun.
Fun Ways to Use Your Christmas Drawings
Your finished drawings don’t have to stay tucked away in a sketchbook.
Try using them to:
- Make homemade Christmas cards
- Decorate gift tags
- Create Christmas lunchbox notes
- Make a December drawing challenge
- Decorate classroom bulletin boards
- Create homemade ornaments
- Design Christmas bookmarks
- Make placemats for Christmas dinner
- Create coloring pages for younger kids
- Use as inspiration for Christmas painted rocks
- Decorate handmade wrapping paper
- Add festive doodles to a December planner or journal
Extra idea: Pick several of your favorite little Christmas doodles and create your own repeating pattern. Use it to decorate plain kraft paper for inexpensive homemade Christmas wrapping paper.
Free Christmas Drawing Printable
Want to keep some Christmas drawing inspiration nearby without scrolling through the entire post?
You can grab my free Christmas drawing printable inside the Rock Painting Guide Freebies Vault.
The Freebies Vault is filled with free drawing activities, coloring pages, printables, and craft resources that you can enjoy at home or in the classroom.
Join the Freebies Vault here to get access to the Christmas drawing printable along with the other free resources inside.
Print a copy for a cozy afternoon of drawing, add it to your classroom art supplies, or use the prompts for a family Christmas drawing challenge.
Free printables from Rock Painting Guide are for personal use only.
More Christmas Crafts and Drawing Ideas
If these Christmas drawing ideas have you in a creative mood, don’t put the pencils away yet.
For actual drawing instructions, head over to my Christmas step-by-step drawing ideas. You’ll find easy tutorials for drawing Santa Claus, a snowman, gingerbread man, Christmas stocking, candy cane, bells, Christmas tree, and more.
You can also explore the Christmas Crafts Library for more seasonal projects or try some Christmas rock painting ideas and turn your favorite holiday drawings into painted stones.
And if you enjoy drawing throughout the year, check out my other collections of 100+ cute drawing ideas and 100+ fall drawing ideas for even more inspiration.
Christmas Drawing Ideas FAQ
What are some easy Christmas things to draw?
Christmas trees, ornaments, candy canes, stockings, snowmen, Santa hats, presents, bells, snowflakes, and mugs of hot cocoa are all easy Christmas drawing ideas for beginners. Most can be created using simple shapes and lines.
What can kids draw for Christmas?
Kids can draw Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, snowmen, Christmas trees, gingerbread people, presents, penguins, Christmas animals, and other simple holiday doodles. Younger children can start with basic shapes and add details as they go.
What are some cute Christmas drawing ideas?
Try Christmas animals wearing Santa hats, a gingerbread family, tiny Christmas gnomes, penguins with scarves, snowmen, cats hiding under Christmas trees, or woodland animals gathered around presents.
What supplies do I need for Christmas drawing?
All you really need is paper and a pencil. You can also use an eraser, colored pencils, crayons, markers, or fine-tip pens to add color and details.
Can I use these ideas to make Christmas cards?
Absolutely. Many of these simple Christmas drawings are perfect for handmade cards, gift tags, bookmarks, decorations, and other holiday crafts.
Where can I get the free Christmas drawing printable?
You can get the free Christmas drawing prompts inside the Rock Painting Guide Freebies Vault. Sign up for access, then print the drawing prompts to use at home or in the classroom.
With more than 100 Christmas drawing ideas to choose from, there’s no shortage of festive inspiration. Start with an easy Santa, snowman, or Christmas tree, then work your way through the funny animals, cozy winter scenes, and holiday doodles.
The best part is that your drawings don’t need to be perfect. Grab a pencil, put on some Christmas music, and have fun creating something that feels like the holiday season.
Happy drawing and Merry Christmas!
