How to Make a Christmas Ghost: Air Dry Clay Santa Tutorial Step-by-Step!

Jane Sawyer Makes
Nov 28
4 min read

Watch the video tutorial here!

The most famous trio of Christmas ghosts are probably the trio from Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. However, long before Christmas became a Christian holiday, winter solstice festivals were associated with the thinning of the veil between life and death. It’s certainly not hard to imagine that families long ago would want to cuddle up next to a fire and tell ghost stories during the longest, darkest nights of the year.

So ghosts are an unexpectedly appropriate Christmas craft! We’re going to make some little ghost wearing Santa hats today. You can grab the template for free below (scroll all the way to the bottom of this article) or ad-free with the step-by-step instructions on my Patreon.

I highly recommend checking out the YouTube video tutorial for this one. It will show you exactly how to do each step

STEP 1: GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES AND TEMPLATE

Gather up your air dry clay and tools and set up a comfy workplace for yourself.
I have a list of my recommended supplies here.
Print out the free template, check the scale, and cut out the two template pieces. Set those aside for now.

STEP 2: PREP YOUR PAPER CUP FORM

Take a small paper paper cup (double-up for strength).
Form a small dome out of aluminium foil that is about the same size as the base of your cup. Push the foil against the table to help smooth and shape it.
Use masking tape to attach the foil dome to the base of the cup.
TIP: Use long tape. Run it over the foil, down the sides of the cup, and tuck the ends inside.

STEP 3: PREP YOUR CLAY SLAB

It's important to work on a firm plastic surface. I use a placemat I got from dollar tree, but you can find something similar here.
Knead your clay to soften it, then press it out into a pancake. Use a wooden roller to slowly roll the clay into a sheet about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thick. Flip and rotate the clay as you roll to prevent it from sticking to the placemat or the roller.

STEP 4: USE TEMPLATE TO CUT OUT THE GHOST BODY

Place your paper template onto the clay slab.
Cut around the template with a craft dedicated paring knife or other craft knife of your choice.
Gather your scraps, dampen them slightly, and seal them in a plastic bag to reuse later.

STEP 5: PREP THE EDGES FOR GLUING

Use your thumb or finger to gently squish down the right edge of the wedge shape.
Use the tip of your knife to scratch into the surface of this squished edge. (This scratching helps the glue adhere later.)
Flip the wedge over and repeat the squishing and scratching on the right edge again

STEP 6: FORM THE CONE

Gently pick up the clay and add a bit of white glue to the scratched areas. NOTE: You can only use white glue as a clay adhesive on this paper-based air-dry clay. This won't work on all clay types.
Overlap the scratched areas.
Support the shape from inside as you compress the seam with the side of your knife, a spoon, or a sculpting tool.

STEP 7: GET SOME SUPPORT

Gently slide your cup and foil form into the ghost cone.
Refine the seam using the back of the spoon or a slightly damp finger.
TIP: Use water sparingly! Too much water = soggy clay = cracks later. Only use a tiny bit!

STEP 8: SHAPE THE BOTTOM OF THE GHOST

Use a tiny bit of water and your fingers to pinch and pull the base of the cone outwards.
TIP: You can remove the form if needed to make the shaping easier.
Create a flowing, ruffled edge all around the base of the cone/ ghost.

STEP 9: ADD A CURVE TO THE GHOST'S HAT

Use the back of your knife to press an X or two into the top of the cone. I usually do this over the seam
Use a tiny bit of water on the side of the cone opposite the X and slowly bend the tip of the cone into a gentle curve.

STEP 10: TEXTURIZE THE TRIM

Use a bit of scrunched up aluminium foil to imprint some texture into the hat trim piece
TIP: A toothbrush also works great for a fuzzy texture!

STEP 11: ADD THE TRIM TO THE GHOST'S HAT

Spread a bead of glue onto he back of the trim piece.
Wrap it onto the ghost. Trim to fit, if needed.
Use your fingers to gently push the trim piece into the ghost.
Use your aluminium foil to texture over the seam.

STEP 12: MAKE THE POM POM

Use the guide on the template to roll a ball of clay to size.
Use the end of a paintbrush to make a hole into the ball and add a drop of glue.
Press the end of the ghost’s hat into the ball of clay. Use your aluminium foil again to add some texture to the pom pom.

STEP 13: EYE HOLES AND DRYING

Use the end of the paintbrush to poke some eyeholes into your ghost.
Double-check that the form isn't stuck inside your ghost. If it's sticking, try giving the form a gentle twist as you pull it out, that should help.
Let the ghost dry on the un-stuck form for about an hour or two.
Remove the form for the duration of the drying. Let the ghost dry completely for 1-2 days.

STEP 14: SAND AND PAINT

Once dry, you can smooth any rough spots on your ghost with a paper nail file.
TIP: Always protect your lungs when sanding!
Clean your work space and your ghost with a damp cloth before painting. Paint hates dust!