Christmas Coloring Pages for Adults: 8 Ways to Color and Use Them

Christmas coloring pages usually get colored… and then end up in a drawer. That’s a shame: a finished page can become a card, a gift tag or a small decoration. Here are 8 simple ideas to color your Christmas pages and give them a second life over the holidays.

Where to find printable Christmas coloring pages for adults

First, you need pages made for adults: detailed enough to be enjoyable, with clean outlines so you can color without stress.

My advent calendar to color has 24 Christmas coloring pages: snowflakes, gnomes, ornaments, candy canes… all the way to the big Christmas tree on December 24. It’s free: leave your email and I’ll send you all 24 pages in one PDF.

Get the 24 Christmas coloring pages

01  Print on slightly thicker paper

Paper a little thicker than regular printer paper holds up better, especially if you want to turn the page into a card or a tag. With alcohol markers, always slip a protective sheet underneath: the ink bleeds through.

02  Pick a palette before you start

For an elegant look, stick to 3 colors from the same family, plus a touch of gold. I’ve gathered my “chic Christmas” palettes (pine green, velvet burgundy, gold and cream) with the Ohuhu marker numbers in Advent Calendar Ideas for Adults: A Calm Coloring Ritual.

03  Add highlights with a white gel pen

A few dots or small lines of white gel pen on ornaments, stars and snowflakes instantly give a shiny effect. Do it at the very end, once the ink is dry.

04  Turn a page into a Christmas card

Fold a sheet of card stock in half and glue your coloring on the front, or cut out a single motif (a tree, an ornament) for a more minimal card. Write your message inside: it’s a one-of-a-kind card, made by you.

05  Make gift tags

Small motifs work beautifully as tags: cut them out, punch a hole and add a ribbon. Handy for spotting presents under the tree, and prettier than store-bought tags.

06  Decorate the Christmas table

A colored motif under each plate, or cut out and folded as a place card for each guest: your table decoration is ready, and everyone leaves with a small keepsake.

07  Frame your favorite page

A fully colored page in a simple frame makes a lovely seasonal decoration. You can even switch pages every week of December.

08  Color together

Print the same page twice and color it side by side, with family or friends. Comparing your color choices is often the best part.

What supplies work for Christmas coloring pages?

Bold-outline pages work with colored pencils, regular markers or alcohol markers. I’ve been coloring with Ohuhu markers for two years: the Honolulu 216-color set is my top pick, and the 48-color set is plenty on a smaller budget. If you’re a beginner, start with the brush tip and keep the fine tip for details. It’s all in Ohuhu alcohol markers: which set should you choose?

Want to keep coloring after Christmas?

My Bold & Easy Coloring Book has the same style: 40 bold geometric, cozy and easy designs with thick outlines, printed on one side only, in a large US Letter format.

See the Bold & Easy Coloring Book on Amazon (affiliate link)

Looking for a present? See my Christmas gift guide: which adult coloring book to give.

FAQ

Where can I find free Christmas coloring pages for adults?

My advent calendar to color includes 24 free Christmas coloring pages, sent by email in one printable PDF.

What paper should I print Christmas coloring pages on?

Paper slightly thicker than regular printer paper, especially if you want to make a card or a tag. With alcohol markers, keep a protective sheet underneath.

How do I make a Christmas coloring page look shiny?

Add a few dots or lines of white gel pen on ornaments, stars and snowflakes once the ink is dry.

The Amazon links in this article are affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.