If you are like me and love Christmas decorations, you’ll love this beginner-friendly DIY. I’ve had my eye on a giant nutcracker from Frontgate for years. However, the price tag was insane with it being several hundreds of dollars.

Not only did I spend less than $100, but it was also so easy. Plus, I was able to make exactly what I wanted and bypassed any shipping cost. This easy DIY life size nutcracker tutorial can be done in one weekend.

Tools: - Drill - Saw - Screws - Hot glue - Painter’s Tape– recommend Frog tape Paint brushes (keep in mind you’ll need one for detailed work)

Base + Body + Arms + Hands - Scrap 2×4 (we only needed 1 2×4)- You’ll need 4 pieces that are each 6 inches - 18 inch wood round base- You’ll need a base with ¾ inch or more thickness - 12 inch wood round base – You’ll need a base with ¾ inch or more thickness - 12 inch x 48 inch wide concrete form tube - 4 inch PVC pipe – You’ll need 2 pieces that are each 24 inches - 3 inch PVC pipe- You’ll need 2 pieces that are each 24 inches - 3 inch PVC pipe caps – You’ll need 2 pieces for the shoulders

Paint for Base + Body + Arms + Hands - Gold metallic craft paint (base + shoulders + detail work) - Black satin paint (legs + belt + face) - Valspar Quartz Blush (body + hat) - Valspar New Penny (face + hands) - Plastic clear ornaments – You’ll need - 2 of these for the hands

Facial Features + Embellishments Paint - Valspar New Penny  - Black satin paint  - White satin paint - Scrap foam – You’ll cut this to become the nose - Black ribbon- You’ll use this for the hat - Wooden stars

Cut your scrap wood and PVC pipes if they have not been precut. Cut  4 pieces of scrap 2x4s at 6 inches (or longer if needed). These 2x4s  will be attached to your wood rounds (18 inch and 12 inch).

Next, cut your PVC pipes to 24 inches each. You’ll need to cut your 4 inch PVC pipes to 24 inches each for a total of 2 pieces. Cut your 3 inch PVC pipes to 24 inches each for a total of 2 pieces.

Take 2 pieces of 2x4s and attach them using screws to your 12 inch wood  round. Wait to follow the same process for your 18 inch wood round until  Step 3.  The wood rounds will resemble a small step stool once the 2x4s have been attached.

This next step sounds more complicated than it is. If possible, I’d recommend watching my video tutorial to help you visualize this step.

Grab your significant other or a friend to help you complete this next step. You’ll need to grab your 12 inch concrete form and place it over the 12 inch wood round.

One person will need to hold the large concrete form steady, while another person carefully drills through the concrete form into the wood round in 4 different spots.

Take your 3 inch PVC pipe pieces that are cut to 24 inches each to create your nutcracker arms. Line  up the PVC pipe with the bottom of the body and drill them into the  body from inside the PVC pipe. This is the trickiest part of the whole  tutorial, mainly because you are working in such a tight spot. You will  only need to use 2 screws per arm.

Pop on your 3 inch PVC pipe caps to create your shoulders.

Congratulations! You just assembled your nutcracker! If you need suggestions on how to paint and decorate your nutcracker, check out the full post.

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