Thrift Store Christmas Makeover: DIY Glittered Brass Deer

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Turn an old brass deer into a favorite holiday piece with this easy thrift store Christmas makeover — simple, budget-friendly, and full of charm.

Every year when I pull out my Christmas decorations, I’m reminded that the most meaningful pieces aren’t always the newest or trendiest — they’re the ones with a story. This little brass deer is one of them. Once a dated, thrift store reject, she got a simple makeover that turned her into one of my favorite pieces of upcycled Christmas decor.

If you love DIY Christmas projects, thrift store transformations, or sustainable holiday decorating, this post might just inspire your next favorite holiday piece. It shows that even the most simple figurine can inspire lots of different decorating opportunities.

Thrift Store Christmas Makeover: Giving a Forgotten Find a Second Life

This makeover started with a brass deer that once belonged to my former in-laws. You’ve seen these before — the shiny brass or copper animals that once seemed to appear in every thrift store aisle. At the time, brass wasn’t trendy at all, so she’d been sitting unnoticed for ages.

But one day, I looked at her and saw potential. With a few quick steps: a coat of white spray paint, a thin layer of Mod Podge, and a dusting of fine glitter, she transformed from dated to dreamy.

And then, she gleamed under the twinkle lights that Christmas, looking like she’s been frosted by a winter morning. It’s amazing what a little paint and sparkle can do for an overlooked thrift store find.

When Trends Change (and That’s Okay)

These days, brass is back. It’s funny how trends make full circles, what used to gather dust on the thrift store shelves is now displayed proudly on coffee tables and styled bookshelves. Some people might shake their heads at the idea of painting over brass now, but here’s my take: life is too short to worry about mass-produced trinkets and whether or not you can paint them.

If you want to know more about decorating with trendy brass. My friend Sarah has written an excellent post about how to decorate with brass finds.

My deer wasn’t rare or valuable. She was just a lovely old piece that needed a second chance. And now, painted white and glittered, she fits beautifully into my Christmas decor. That’s what I love about thrift store makeovers, they give us the freedom to make something that feels right for us, not just what’s trendy on Instagram.

So yes, trends change. But loving what you create? That never goes out of style.

Christmas Deer Decor Ideas

As I said. This is an old makeover project that I did many years ago. So I you have been around this blog before around Christmas time, you might have seen my little deer show up already.

I used her in a sweet and easy Christmas vignette in rustic style. Pairing her with a DIY chickenwire cloche on one of my mom’s old baking tins.

She got the diva treatment when I put her under a cloche along with a bottle brush tree. I really like using cloches for my Christmas decor.

Did I say I like decorating with cloches? Ah! That must be why I did it again the next year when I went for a winter white Christmas.

Similar but a little different is when I placed my little deer on a layer of faux snow in a lantern. This was part of a very laid-back and easy Christmas decorating year.

Then again, all my Christmas decorating is simple. That’s how I roll…

And she got a little fawn to accompany her on my take of a woodland Christmas centerpiece.

See! All is good with the world: my (formerly) brass deer is still loved, cherished, and displayed even after being given the white paint treatment (to be honest, the glitter has long since fallen off).

Why I Love Thrift Store Makeovers

There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing old decor and giving it a second life. It’s sustainable, affordable, and deeply personal. Every time I pick up a thrift store find, I see a story, a chance to create something new without buying into the constant cycle of “new and better.”

Pin now, save for later, and let’s fill this holiday season with creativity, sustainability, and a little extra sparkle.

 

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