Turn a Santa Tree Topper into a St. Nicholas Doll

Just a few days ago I was talking to my oldest two daughters about how having a Santa on the top of a Christmas tree is a sign of how people focus on the wrong thing at Christmas.  Later that night I went to the Dollar store. While I was there finishing my Christmas shopping, I saw a cute little Santa tree topper sitting there with his 3 identical companions.  In an instant, a *Catholic Inspired* thought popped in to my head and so I bought one and brought it home.

Needless to say I totally confused my teen girls as they questioned why I bought a Santa tree topper! Oh, they should know me by now, but I had to assure them that I was not adding it the top of our tree!

And then I gave that Santa tree topper a Catholic Inspired extreme makeover: From Santa to St. Nicholas!!

With a little bit of red and white felt, small and medium sized gold ribbons, and gold pipe cleaners, I was able to take this $1 Santa tree topper and turn it into a St. Nicholas doll! 

Abracadabra!

The kids think I’m magic Mom! 😉 And the only thing that I had up my sleeve was a hot glue gun! Ouch!! Oh, no, not really, that could hurt! And no magic, only God’s inspiration! 😉 Here are a few pictures of what I did to inspire you if you find a Santa you would like to “convert”! His hat was just red felt cut into a miter shape, and trimmed with gold ribbon.

For the bottom I added a triangle shaped piece of white felt over top the red and trimmed it with gold ribbon. (I burned the ends of the all ribbons so they don’t fray.)

His staff is three gold pipe cleaners twisted together. All felt and ribbons were hot glued down, because I’m not very good at sewing! Kids are easily amazed! And mine were totally amazed! 😉

Hope you are all having a blessed day!

~Jen-Marie