Start working by creating a new file (File>New) that must have 700x1024 px and 200 dpi.
Take the Rectangle Tool (U) and start making the background of the picture we want to represent next:
Set the next parameters for the layer by making a mouse click on the same layer on the layers' panel: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Select next the Pen Tool (P) and represent a ray of white color which shape may be corrected with the Convert Point Tool.
Represent now one more ray, applying the same tool and the same method and select white color for it.
Using the same Pen Tool (P), try making several more rays of white color, placing them the way shown below:
Getting better result it's possible when combining in a group all the layers containing the white rays (as usually we have to press Ctrl button for marking out the corresponding layers and then hold on the left mouse's button for moving the marked layers on Create a new group option). Apply next parameters for the group: Opacity 50%
Now we have to draw the silhouette of a fir tree and the star on its top – everything on the same layer. It's necessary to choose in this case the Pen Tool (P) to represent the tree's silhouette which shape may be corrected with the Convert Point Tool. Next press Shift button and choose the Custom Shape Tool (U) to add the star on the fir tree's top.
Set next parameters for the layer: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Select on this stage the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a snow hillock on the left bottom part of the picture.
The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Using the last instrument, try to make another snow hillock on the right bottom part of the picture.
The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Using the Custom Shape Tool (U), we have to make now the snowflakes of white color and different sizes on our picture.
Using the Rectangle Tool (U), try to make a horizontal line that will be a part of the pattern on the bottom part of the picture.
The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Make a copy of the last made layer, but we must change on the copy the layer's parameters with those indicated next: Blending mode-Lighter Color
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Using the same instrument we'll represent an inclined line, correcting its shape with the Convert Point Tool.
The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Blending Options>Stroke
Gradient's parameters:
Make ten copies of the layer that has on it the inclined line and choose Free Transform option to place the copies as it is done on the next picture.
Press Alt button and make a mouse click between the layers containing the inclined lines and the layer containing the horizontal line (on the layers' panel). In this case the layers with the inclined lines will be applied in the limits of the horizontal line.
Next we'll start representing a small fir tree on the hillock from the left side. Start by choosing the Pen Tool (P) to represent the top of the tree of white color, making the corrections on the element with the Convert Point Tool.
Using the same instrument, try to make now the tree's top shadow. This layer should be placed lower than the layer with the fir tree's top (on the layers' panel).
The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay
Gradient's parameters:
Make a copy of the earlier made layer, containing the fir tree's top and select the Free Transform option to enlarge the copy a little. The layer should be placed lower than the previous one (on the layers' panel).
Make a copy of the shadow's layer and choose again the Free Transform option to enlarge the copy a little, placing this layer lower than the previous one too (on the layers' panel).
Make one more copy of the tree's top layer and select the Free Transform option to enlarge it, placing it as below. This layer we'll situate also lower than the previous one on the layers' panel.
Next step includes drawing the shadow on the bottom part of the small fir tree, an operation done with the Ellipse Tool (U) and the color #2F92D4
Combine in a group all the layers containing the small fir tree (press Ctrl button to mark out the necessary layers and hold on the left mouse's button to take the marked layers on Create a new group option). Make twelve copies of the small fir tree and make the necessary changes on the copies' sizes. The Free Transform selection will be helpful in placing the copies as below:
Next we have to represent Santa's character. Represent firstly his body and then take the Ellipse Tool (U) to represent a big ellipse. Press Shift button to insert another smaller ellipse on the left side.
