Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
The first step is to choose a window in your house that is yearning for that sparkle. Ideally, it would be outward-facing so that your display can be admired from both the inside and outside of your home.
Start by decorating the bottom of your window. We're going to start with some wooden Christmas trees, made out of balsa wood. Decide how many trees you'd like to include and lay out the appropriate number of wood sheets. Outline a tree shape on each one and then cut out using a box cutter.
Next, lay out a canvas drop sheet to protect your work area. Put on your rubber gloves and safety glasses.
Place the balsa wood on the drop sheet and spray with your choice of spray paint. We've used metallic silver, but you can use whatever you like! Once you've sprayed one side, leave it to dry.
When one side is touch-dry, flip the board and spray the other side. Leave to dry. Repeat until you have painted all your trees. Then place your trees at the bottom of your window sticking on with double sided tape.
It's time to create the frame for your festoon. Place an adhesive hook on either side of the window frame, towards the very top. Depending on the instructions and the surface of your window frame, you may need to leave the hooks for an hour or so to truly secure.
Once the hooks are secure, take one end of your fairy lights and wrap it around one hook. Then, begin to drape your hooks from side to side, attaching it to either hook and allowing the lines of fairy lights to droop lower and lower. Once you've reached the end of each pack, wrap them around one of the hooks to keep them in place. Repeat with the remaining packs of lights for a truly festive effect!
If you'd like to make it a more family-friendly DIY project, ask the kids to start creating their own decorations out of paper. They can cut out shapes and colour them in, ready to be placed underneath the festoon. You can also add tinsel and other existing decorations to really brighten up the display.
Once you've finished your decorations, it's time for the finishing touch! Plug the power board into a powerpoint, and each fairy light plug into the power board. You'll see your D.I.Y. festoon window come to life!
Best of all, you don't need to take your festoon down when January comes around. Simply replace the Christmas decorations at the bottom of your window with some seasonal ornaments, or a flower display. You can change your display throughout the seasons, or dress it up for special celebrations throughout the year.
If you do choose to take your festoon window, don't forget to store your fairy lights correctly so that they don't tangle – and leave you with a mess in a year. We love wrapping ours around an empty toilet roll, or a coat hanger, before being packed away for the next project.
Find all the materials you need in our craft supplies section to create your own festoon window.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
