Let’s be real—bullet journals and planners can look a little… meh if all you do is jot down to-do lists. I mean, functional is fine, but do you really want your December pages looking like a tax form? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Adding Christmas doodles and drawings instantly makes your spreads look festive, cozy, and (bonus!) way more fun to use.
I’ve been decorating my planner every December for years, and trust me—it’s the small doodles that make a huge difference. From tiny candy canes in the margins to whole cozy Christmas scenes, you can make your bullet journal feel like a mini winter wonderland.
So grab your pens, maybe a hot chocolate (with marshmallows, obviously), and let’s talk about some Christmas drawing ideas for bullet journals and planners that’ll actually make you excited to open them up every day.
Christmas Trees for Instant Festive Vibes
Nothing screams Christmas like a tree covered in ornaments. And guess what? You don’t need to draw the Rockefeller Center tree to make your pages pop.
Simple Tree Doodles
Start with the classic triangle tree. Add a star on top, a few round ornaments, and boom—you’re in the holiday spirit.
Mini Forest Spread
Draw a line of tiny trees across the bottom of your weekly spread. Each tree can be slightly different—one with tinsel, one plain, one with oversized ornaments. It’s basically a doodle parade.
Pro Tip: Use a green brush pen for the tree base and then outline with black for definition. Looks like you put effort in… even when you didn’t 😉
Cute Snowmen in the Margins
Snowmen are ridiculously easy to doodle—two circles, a carrot nose, and some stick arms. Honestly, they’re the “smiley face” of Christmas art.
- Add scarves in different colors for variety.
- Try a whole snowman family across your calendar page.
- Give one a grumpy face for laughs (we all know a snowman who’s over it).
Why it works: They instantly add charm without eating up half your page.
🎨 Ready to Turn Ideas into Realistic Art?
Your drawing ideas are limitless—now imagine bringing them to life with polished shading, depth, and realism:
👉 Start Drawing Like a Pro Today →
(Instant access to beginner-friendly lessons on all devices; includes practice templates and lifetime access.)✏️ This course starts with equipment basics and builds up to full featured drawings—perfect for beginners who want structured, real results.
Gift Box Doodles
Want a quick way to fill space in your planner? Draw presents. They’re literally just squares and rectangles with bows.
Ways to Use Them:
- Habit Trackers: Replace boring checkboxes with tiny gift doodles. Fill in the bow each time you complete a habit.
- Headers: Draw a big wrapped gift at the top of your page with the title inside.
- Lists: Use mini gifts as bullet points (pun intended).
IMO, this trick makes even grocery lists feel like Santa wrote them.
Sweet Treats: Cookies, Cocoa, and Candy Canes
Why doodle cookies? Because looking at them makes you happy (and hungry).
- Cookies: Draw round cookies with chocolate chips or iced stars.
- Cocoa: A mug with whipped cream spilling over the top—yes, please.
- Candy Canes: Simple striped hooks that fit perfectly in planner margins.
Ever tried using candy canes as dividers between days? It looks amazing, trust me.
Santa & Friends
Drawing Santa doesn’t have to be intimidating. Think of him as a jolly circle with a hat. Boom—done.
Easy Additions:
- Reindeer heads with antlers (basically doodle “Y” shapes).
- Elves with pointy hats and cheeky grins.
- Stockings stuffed with doodles of candy or mini gifts.
Add one of these characters to your monthly cover page and suddenly your journal screams December.
Decorative Borders & Headers
Sometimes, you don’t want big doodles—you just want accents. That’s where borders and headers come in clutch.
- Garlands: Tiny leaves with berries across the top of a spread.
- String lights: Wiggly lines with tiny bulbs.
- Snowflakes: Use them as bullet points or sprinkle them between notes.
Ever wondered why your pages sometimes look “unfinished”? Nine times out of ten, it’s the lack of borders. They tie everything together.
Cozy Winter Scenes
If you’re feeling a little extra, go bigger with mini winter illustrations.
Ideas:
- A snow-covered village in the corner of your monthly spread.
- A sleigh ride doodle along your weekend section.
- A fireplace scene for your habit tracker page.
These take more time, but they give you that “wow, I actually tried” effect. And people will 100% compliment them if you share your spreads online.
🎓 Want to Draw Better? Here’s a Game-Changer
If you’re excited to draw but your sketches never turn out how you imagined—don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many beginners and hobby artists struggle to make their drawings look realistic, especially when it comes to shading, depth, and proportion.
That’s why I highly recommend checking out Pencil Drawing Made Easy. It’s a beginner-friendly, step-by-step course that teaches you how to draw realistic portraits, objects, animals, and more—starting from absolute basics.
Why You’ll Love It:
- 🖍️ No prior experience needed — perfect if you’re just getting started
- 📓 Step-by-step structure — learn how to shade, add depth, and build tone
- 📲 Works on any device — watch on desktop, tablet, or phone
- 🧑🎨 Teaches fundamentals — so you can draw ANY subject with confidence
🎁 Includes practice sheets and full drawing projects
How to Use Doodles Functionally
Okay, real talk—yes, doodles are cute, but how do they actually help? Easy: they make planning feel like fun, not a chore.
Functional Uses for Christmas Doodles:
- Mood Trackers: Draw ornaments and color them in based on your daily mood.
- To-Do Lists: Swap checkboxes for Christmas icons like stockings or bells.
- Daily Highlights: Use a doodle (like a cocoa mug) as a space to jot down one happy moment from the day.
See? Festive and productive. Who knew?
Tools That Make Doodling Easier
Sure, you can use a random ballpoint pen, but why not treat yourself?
My Go-To Supplies:
- Brush pens for bold trees and garlands.
- Fineliners for outlines and details.
- Colored pencils if you like softer shading.
- Stickers & Washi Tape (cheating? maybe. worth it? absolutely).
FYI: I sometimes use metallic gel pens for ornaments and stars. Nothing screams holiday like shiny doodles. 🙂
Not an Artist? No Problem
Look, you don’t need to be Picasso to doodle in your planner. I’m living proof—half my early spreads looked like “Pinterest fails,” and yet they still made me happy.
Tips if You’re Struggling:
- Start small: Candy canes, stars, snowflakes.
- Repeat patterns: They look impressive without much effort.
- Use stencils: Nobody will know. (Well, now they do, but shh.)
Remember: Your bullet journal is for you. Perfection is optional. Festive vibes are mandatory.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—tons of Christmas drawing ideas for bullet journals and planners that’ll make December spreads pop. From simple candy canes to cozy fireplace scenes, there’s something for every mood (and every skill level).
The best part? You don’t need to be an artist. You just need a pen, a little creativity, and maybe a sugar cookie or two for “inspiration.”
So go grab your favorite journal, doodle some snowmen, and make your planner feel like it’s straight out of a Christmas movie. And hey, if your Santa looks more like a potato in a hat… well, at least it’s a festive potato.
✅ Ready to Turn These Drawing Prompts into Realistic Art?
👉 Start Pencil Drawing Made Easy Now →
(Includes lifetime access, commercial-use drawings, and beginner-friendly lessons!)💡 Drawing ideas are fun—but when you learn to bring them to life with real skill, that’s where the magic begins.
Leave a Reply