12 Days of Christmas Decorations: Day 1 - Elf Magic Lantern

 Elf Magic Lantern

Welcome to a special Advent series! As my gift to you this holiday season, I'll be sharing a new Christmas decoration every day for the next 12 days. My hope is that these festive projects will brighten your days and bring warmth and joy to your home throughout the season.

Starting with Magic: The Elf Magic Lantern

For Day 1, I'm thrilled to introduce an enchanting elf lantern! I chose elves as our starting point because these magical little helpers embody the spirit of joy and wonder that makes Christmas so special.

This charming lantern features six delightful panels (shown above), each showcasing a busy elf preparing for the holidays. You'll find scenes of elves painting toys, crafting a wooden car, scurrying about with presents, and decorating for the season. Each image captures the cheerful energy of Santa's workshop!

The Design

This project builds upon the hexagonal vase design I shared earlier (you can find the original tutorial here). The six-sided structure provides the perfect canvas for our bustling elf scenes.

Add a multicolored LED tea light from your local dollar store in the center, and watch your lantern come to life with a warm, inviting glow. It makes a wonderful centerpiece for your holiday table or a cozy accent for any room in your home.

Materials You'll Need

• Neenah 65 lb white cardstock for the elf panels
• 65 lb foil cardstock for all remaining pieces
• Battery-operated LED tea light (for safety)

The foil cardstock adds an elegant, festive shimmer that beautifully catches the light and enhances the holiday ambiance.

Cut Files

You'll need an electronic cutting machine to create this project:

• Silhouette users: Download the .Studio file [link to file]

• Cricut users: Download the SVG file [link to file]

Note: The SVG file extends beyond the initial viewable area. Simply zoom out to see the complete design.

Assembly Instructions

1. Follow the assembly directions from the hexagonal vase project to construct your base structure
2. Once the main structure is complete, attach any decorative leaves to their stems and base
3. Add dimension by curling tendrils around a pencil or dowel
4. Place your battery-operated LED tea light inside

Safety reminder: Always use battery-operated LED lights rather than real candles for paper crafts.

---

I hope this elf lantern brings a touch of magic to your home! Come back tomorrow for Day 2 of our Christmas decoration series. Happy crafting! 🎄✨