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davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 19, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 256 - Merry Christmas!

  • December 19, 2025
  • 37 replies
  • 7167 views

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who took part in our previous 'Gavel' challenge. There were some great ideas and very clever interpretations of the gavel.

This week, in the run up to Christmas, I thought we should have a Christmas based theme. Instead of a Christmas tree, which we have used before, I chose a Christmas plant. So we have a 3D render of a Poinsettia. The plant itself is a model from the XFrog plant library, the two gift-wrapped presents are from Adobe Substance 3D Assets. The table, vase and wall, I modelled in Blender. All textures are from Adobe Substance 3D assets and were applied in Adobe Substance Painter. I lit the scene in Blender and rendered it, before taking it into Photoshop for finishing.

Now that we have our Christmas scene, what will you make with it?

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser).

SFTW256_Poinsettia.jpg

When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave.

37 replies

bebarth
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2025

Noël à Paris.png

Season's Greeting!

Participating Frequently
December 29, 2025

What a great imagination you have! I like how you turned the poinsettia plant into a character, and the use of a lightbulb for its nose plus adding the scarf is a nice choice.

Henrik Heigl
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2025

Time to reflect on the past year ...
Firefly 20251226164254.jpg

regards,Henrik
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 29, 2025

I recognise some of the objects from SFTW. Are some from other challenges?
Dave

lambiloon
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2025

sedtt.jpg

Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 29, 2025

I'm worried as to what happens when the train arrives 🙂
Dave

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 25, 2025

Happy Holidays, SFTW!!

SFTW256_Poinsettia GRINCH.jpg

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2025

(I had more time today so I made the hand a bit more Grinchy) 🙂

December 25, 2025

2 weekly challenge image update1.jpg

 

A little NYC holiday spirit. :). Ive never gotten LV as a gift but figured it would make some cool wrapping paper. Knick snow globe and a couple of decorations for Christmas vibes. Peace to all! 

 

 

 

December 25, 2025

2 weekly challenge image update3.jpg

 

forgot santa

@mj
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 24, 2025

Thnx as always @davescm 

Wishing you guys safety, prosperity and much joy over the holidays

mj_0-1766603485753.png

 

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 24, 2025

Wow, that's impressive.  I am tempted to guess it was Eye Candy 7, but EC7 would be way less subtle, so Gemini 3.0 is my best guess.   What an amazimg time we live in as image content creators.

Community Expert
December 24, 2025


Additional graphics with the help of Firefly.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 24, 2025

A Christmas card from down under, Dean!  🙂

Dave

Community Expert
December 25, 2025

Here's a more Aussie Christmas card 🙂


Photo with kangaroo adjusted from Michael Jerrard on Unsplash

AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 23, 2025

SFTW256_Final.jpg

I thought that a little nostalgia was appropriate. Happy Holidays, everyone!

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 24, 2025

You've squeezed a good few previous challenge objects into that one Alan. We'll run out of bonus points, unless Santa has some in his sleigh! 🙂
It has impressed me how everone has managed to separate the plant from the background so effectively in this challenge. A few years back it would have taken a lot of time and patience and the results may still have been a bit 'iffy'.

Dave

AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 25, 2025

No kidding! We've all spent long hours with channels and Calculations and Apply Image and all that. Now it takes a few seconds. Select Subject, Copy to new layer, done.
Merry Christmas!

Participating Frequently
December 23, 2025

SFTW256_Poinsettia ET.jpg

 Room with a veiw... Happy Holidays 

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 23, 2025

I like the room and the winter view through the window. A nice alternative setting, Eddie. 🙂
Dave

derekwatson
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 23, 2025

SFTW227Train_DW.jpg

Derek Watson
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 23, 2025

You've given the train from the earlier challenge the full treatment there, Derek. Summer into winter, Santa Claus, the Poinsettia in the smoke stack. The wallpaper as a doormat outside the footplate of the loco is an excellent touch. 🙂
Dave

derekwatson
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 23, 2025

I didn't have time for the gavel challenge so had to include it here...

Derek Watson