10 Ideas for Christmas Art for Your Frame TV with DIY

Hi! I love creating festive vibes at home, and my Frame TV has become one of my favorite ways to do this during Christmas.

After spending countless hours finding and testing different art options (and yes, making quite a few mistakes along the way!), I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned.

I remember the first time I turned my Frame TV into a Christmas display – my kids thought Santa had sent us a magic window!

Whether you’re new to Frame TV or looking for fresh ideas, I’ll show you how to create your art and share my top 15 picks I’ve tested.

In this guide, we’ll start with a simple DIY walkthrough (trust me, it’s easier than you think), and then I’ll show you my favorite Christmas art selections that look stunning on the Frame TV.

Let’s make your TV the star of your holiday decor!

DIY Christmas Art Guide for Your Frame TV

Let me share how I create custom Christmas art for my Frame TV. After lots of trial and error, I’ve found a process that works perfectly – and I promise it’s simpler than you might think.

1. Getting Started with the Basics

First things first – let’s talk about what you’ll need.

I do all my work on a regular laptop using Canva (it’s free and super user-friendly). You’ll also want a USB drive for transferring your creations to your TV.

That’s it! No fancy equipment is needed.

Before we dive into creating, there’s one crucial technical detail: your Frame TV needs images that are 3840 x 2160 pixels. I learned this the hard way after my first creation looked fuzzy on screen.

Please save your work as a JPG or PNG file and keep it under 20MB.

2. Creating Photo-Based Christmas Art

Some of my favorite Frame TV displays started as simple family photos.

Last Christmas, I turned a photo of my kids decorating the tree into a stunning art piece. The secret? It’s all in the editing.

Start with a well-lit photo – bright natural light works best.

When editing, I slightly reduce the saturation to give it more of an artistic feel. A small boost in contrast can make the image pop on screen.

Sometimes, I add a subtle warm filter to create that cozy Christmas feeling.

3. Making Digital Christmas Designs

Don’t have photos you want to use? No problem. I often create simple digital designs that look amazing on the Frame TV.

My most successful piece was just text – “Merry Christmas” in a beautiful font on a deep green background. Everyone asks where I bought it!

For digital designs, I stick to clean, simple elements.

Try creating a pattern of small white snowflakes on a navy background, or a minimalist Christmas tree made from simple shapes.

The Frame TV displays these beautifully, especially in the evening when the room lights are low.

4. Getting Your Art on the TV

Once your masterpiece is ready, getting it on your Frame TV is straightforward.

I prefer using a USB drive – just plug it in and select your file through Art Mode. If you’re tech-savvy, the SmartThings app works well too.

The real magic happens in the display settings. I keep my brightness around 40% during the day and lower it to 30% in the evening.

A warm color tone gives that perfect holiday glow. Play with the settings until it looks right in your space – what works in my living room might need adjusting in yours.

5. Troubleshooting Tips

If something’s not looking quite right, don’t worry.

The most common issue I see is images appearing stretched or blurry – usually fixed by double-checking that resolution.

If your colors look off, try adjusting the TV’s color tone settings.

And if your file won’t upload at all, it’s probably too large – just resize it under 20MB.

6. Making It Your Own

The best part about creating your own Frame TV art is adding personal touches.

Last year, I combined a family photo with digital snowflakes and text. It became not just a display, but a cherished Christmas memory.

Remember, you don’t need to get everything perfect on your first try.

Start simple, experiment with different ideas, and have fun with it. Your Frame TV is like a canvas waiting for your creativity.

Festive Christmas Art Ideas for Your Frame TV

1. Winter Forest Scene

I stumbled upon this stunning winter forest design while decorating last year, and it’s remained my top pick ever since.

Picture this: tall pine trees dusted with fresh snow, their branches creating gentle shadows against a pale winter sky. The monochromatic palette – varying shades of white and soft grays – works beautifully on the Frame TV’s display.

What makes this piece special is how it changes throughout the day; morning light brings out the crisp details of snow-covered branches, while evening viewing creates a serene, calming effect.

You can find similar pieces on digital art marketplaces for $15-25, or try photographing a local winter scene yourself.

2. Vintage Christmas Postcards

My grandmother’s collection of Christmas postcards inspired this idea. These classic designs from the early 1900s bring a perfect mix of nostalgia and artistry to your space.

The best versions feature detailed illustrations with rich colors – think deep reds, forest greens, and touches of gold. I particularly love the ones showing snow-covered villages or Santa Claus in his traditional European style.

The slightly faded look of vintage postcards actually works to your advantage on the Frame TV, creating a natural, aged appearance that feels authentic.

Many museums offer high-resolution scans of vintage holiday postcards for free digital download.

3. Modern Abstract Christmas Trees

This contemporary take on holiday art has become incredibly popular in my design circles. The concept is simple but striking: geometric shapes forming minimalist Christmas trees against a solid background.

The most effective versions use no more than three colors – I’ve found that white and gold on a deep blue background creates an especially luxurious look.

The clean lines and simple shapes look particularly sharp on the Frame TV’s display, and they complement both modern and traditional room designs.

These pieces often incorporate subtle textures or patterns within the tree shapes, adding depth without overwhelming the overall minimalist design.

4. Nordic Christmas Patterns

My Scandinavian friend introduced me to these patterns, and they’ve become a staple in my holiday rotation.

Traditional Nordic patterns feature repeating motifs of reindeer, snowflakes, and geometric shapes, typically in a striking two-color combination.

I find that white on deep red or navy blue creates the most impact on the Frame TV. What I love most about these designs is their versatility – they look equally good in a cozy farmhouse setting or a sleek modern space.

The key to making these patterns work is choosing ones with larger motifs, as tiny details can get lost on screen. Many textile designers offer digital versions of their Nordic patterns online.

5. Holiday Still Life

This art style brings warmth to any room, inspired by classic Dutch paintings.

Picture a carefully arranged scene: pinecones, oranges studded with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and red berries against a dark background. The magic lies in the lighting – soft, warm highlights that make each element glow.

These images create an almost three-dimensional effect when displayed on the Frame TV.

I’ve found that compositions with larger elements work best, as they maintain their impact even when viewed from across the room.

You can create these yourself with a good camera and some basic props, or find professional versions online.

6. Winter City Scenes

There’s something magical about cities in winter, and these images capture that perfectly.

My favorite pieces show historic streets dusted with snow, glowing shop windows, and warm lights reflecting off wet pavements.

The best versions balance architectural details with the soft blur of falling snow. I’ve noticed these scenes look particularly striking during evening hours when your own room lights are dimmed.

The key is finding pieces that aren’t too busy – you want the eye to be drawn to key elements rather than getting lost in details.

European Christmas markets make for especially charming subjects.

7. Botanical Winter Illustrations

After experimenting with various winter botanicals, I’ve found these illustrations create a subtle yet festive mood.

Think white-inked holly leaves, pine branches, and winter berries sketched on a dark background. What makes these pieces stand out is their scientific illustration style – detailed yet not overly ornate.

The contrast between the light drawings and dark background looks stunning on the Frame TV, especially when displayed with a simple black digital mat.

I often switch between several designs throughout the season, each highlighting different winter plants. Professional botanical artists often sell digital versions of their work, typically priced between $20-30.

8. Christmas Movie Scene Recreations

My family went wild when I first displayed these on our Frame TV. These are artistic interpretations of iconic Christmas movie moments, rendered in a stylized illustration style.

My personal favorite shows the McCallister house from Home Alone, with its classic brick exterior and twinkling lights.

The art style is simplified just enough to avoid copyright issues while maintaining recognizable elements from beloved films.

The trick is finding pieces that focus on the settings rather than characters. Several independent artists create these scene interpretations specifically formatted for digital displays.

9. Minimalist Christmas Light Studies

I discovered this style last year, and it’s perfect for modern homes.

These pieces capture the essence of Christmas lights in abstract form – think soft, glowing orbs against a deep black background, or trails of light creating geometric patterns.

What makes these work so well is their simplicity and the way they mimic actual Christmas lights in a room.

During evening hours, these displays create an almost magical effect. The best versions use a mix of focused and slightly blurred light points to create depth.

Digital artists often release these in collections, letting you switch between different patterns throughout the season.

10. Classic Madonna and Child

After testing several religious artworks, I’ve found Renaissance interpretations of the Madonna and Child look remarkably good on the Frame TV.

The rich colors and subtle lighting of these classical pieces translate beautifully to the digital display.

My top choice is a lesser-known Botticelli work that features deep blues and golds – colors that pop without appearing too bright. The key is choosing pieces with clear compositions and strong contrast.

I’ve noticed that artwork from the Italian Renaissance tends to display better than Northern European pieces, likely due to their warmer color palettes.

Many museums offer high-resolution downloads of these public domain works.

11. Animated Snowfall Scenes

This is a bit different from static art, but trust me – it’s worth trying. These pieces feature gentle snowfall over serene winter landscapes, with subtle movement that’s noticeable only if you watch carefully.

I use these during evening gatherings, and guests often do a double-take when they notice the gentle motion.

The trick is finding ones with very slow animation to avoid any distracting effects. Some artists create these specifically for high-end displays, using techniques that make the snow look incredibly realistic.

The file sizes are larger, but the effect is worth the extra storage space.

12. Art Deco Christmas Cards

I found a collection of 1920s Christmas cards that perfectly capture the glamour of the Art Deco period.

These designs feature bold geometric patterns, metallic colors, and striking typography typical of the era.

The strong lines and symmetrical designs look particularly impressive on the Frame TV, especially when displayed with a gold digital mat.

What works best are the simpler designs that use no more than three colors – typically gold, black, and one bold accent color.

Several digital archives offer these vintage designs, and some modern artists create new works in this classic style.

13. Impressionist Snow Scenes

My art history background drew me to these, and they’ve become crowd favorites.

Monet’s winter landscapes display beautifully on the Frame TV, with their soft brushstrokes and subtle color variations capturing winter’s quiet beauty.

I particularly recommend his “The Magpie” – the contrast between the snow and dark fence creates striking depth on screen.

After experimenting with display settings, I found reducing brightness to 35% helps capture the paintings’ original softness.

The trick is finding high-resolution scans from reputable museum collections.

These pieces work especially well during daytime viewing when natural light can play off the subtle color variations.

14. Contemporary Paper Cut Designs

While searching for unique holiday art, I discovered digital versions of paper cut designs.

These feature intricate winter scenes – snowflakes, Christmas trees, village landscapes – rendered as if cut from white paper against colored backgrounds.

The clean lines and sharp contrast make them perfect for digital display.

I’ve found that switching background colors (deep blue, forest green, or rich burgundy) helps keep the display fresh throughout the season.

Several artists create these specifically for digital use, with files optimized for large displays.

The simpler designs often make the strongest impact.

15. Vintage Christmas Sheet Music

This idea came from my grandmother’s old piano books.

Antique Christmas carol sheet music, with their ornate typography and seasonal illustrations, creates unexpected yet charming holiday art.

I look for pieces from the Victorian era, which often featured elaborate decorative borders and holiday motifs around the musical notation.

The aged paper tones create a warm, nostalgic feel that works beautifully on the Frame TV.

For best results, I display these with a cream-colored digital mat to enhance the vintage feel. Many library archives offer high-resolution scans of these public domain materials.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect Christmas art for your Frame TV isn’t just about filling a screen – it’s about creating moments that add to your holiday memories.

After trying countless options and styles, I’ve learned that the best displays are ones that match your personal style while fitting naturally into your space.

Whether you choose to create your own art or display one of these carefully curated options, remember that you can always switch things up throughout the season.

Take time to experiment with different settings and viewing times – what looks perfect in morning light might need adjusting for evening gatherings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Prevent Glare on My Frame TV when Displaying Christmas Art?

Adjust your TV’s brightness based on room lighting. For best results, tilt your Frame TV slightly downward and avoid placing it opposite bright windows.

What’s the Best Way to Schedule Different Christmas Art Throughout the Day?

Use the SmartThings app to set up an art playlist. You can schedule bright, vivid pieces for daytime and softer, warmer art for evening hours.

Can I Use My Own Christmas Photos on The Frame TV?

Yes! Convert your photos to 3840 x 2160 pixels resolution, save as JPG/PNG under 20MB, and transfer via USB or the SmartThings app.

Why Does My Christmas Art Look Different from What I See Online?

Room lighting and TV settings greatly affect how art displays. Start with 40% brightness and warm color tone, then adjust based on your room’s lighting.

How Many Christmas Art Pieces Should I Download for The Season?

I recommend 5-7 pieces to start. This gives you enough variety to change displays while keeping your storage space manageable. Add more as you discover new favorites.