A modern twist on the classic holiday Nutcracker, make these simple DIY designer dupes for a fraction of the cost!
The black zinc Christmas Nutcracker from Crate & Barrel are catching everyone’s eye this holiday season. Mine included! As a former ballerina who has performed The Nutcracker ballet close to 400 times, I hold a special place in my heart for this sweet wooden figurine. Traditionally, Nutcrackers are bright and colorful, the bolder the better. Not exactly the neutral decor aesthetic that is so in right now. That’s why I think these new Crate & Barrel versions are such a hit. A modern contemporary design take on a holiday classic. In this post, I’m going to show you how to make a Crate & Barrel Nutcracker dupe for MUCH cheaper. To get this tablescape look with three Nutcrackers, I would’ve spent close to $210 at Crate & Barrel but I made all three of them for about $40!
Nutcracker Dupe Supplies
- 14″ Wood Nutcrackers (I got these on sale for $8.99 at Micheals as well as this small 6″ set for extra decor)
- Black Spray Paint (I liked the matte finish of this brand)
- Scrap Craft Paper or Cardboard to Use As a Protective Cover While Spraypainting
Making the Nutcrackers
For this project, I used three different variations of wood Nutcrackers, a drummer, the evil Mouse King, and a soldier. Plus these smaller versions that I will use as decor in another space.
I highly recommend doing any spray painting project outside. It seems no matter how careful I am, I always manage to spray beyond the object I’m wanting to paint. I laid down a large sheet of craft paper and began to spray.
Like all painting projects, less is more. Steady even strokes and light layers of application are key to making this paint job look good. I ended up doing three light coats of paint (with a half hour dry time between each coat) before I was satisfied with how it looked. I let the final coat sit for two hours before I brought my new Nutcrackers inside.
That’s all folks! A super simple project that anybody can do. This Crate & Barrel Nutcracker dupe makes the perfect accent to dining tables, coffee tables, mantles, book cases, entryway consoles, and countertops. I plan on decorating different spots in my kitchen with the smaller 6″ Nutcrackers I painted as well.
