A Heartfelt Thank You
As we arrive at Day 12, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude. Creating and sharing these projects has been truly a labor of love. Each design represents countless hours of planning, testing, refining, and crafting—but more than that, each one reflects my passion for creating beauty and bringing joy into the world through paper art.
I hope you've felt the love and care I've poured into every tutorial, every template, and every word of encouragement. Whether you've been following along making each project or simply enjoying the inspiration, thank you for being part of this creative journey with me. Your presence here has made these twelve days even more special.
The Perfect Finale: A Poinsettia Centerpiece
For our final day, I'm thrilled to share an elegant poinsettia centerpiece that beautifully captures the spirit of the season! And yes, this project was inspired by my adorable (but mischievous) new kitten. Since live poinsettias can be toxic to curious cats, I decided to create a paper version that's just as stunning—and completely pet-safe. The result is a gorgeous centerpiece that will grace your holiday table without any worry!
A Design That Lasts Beyond Christmas
Here's something special about this centerpiece: it's designed to carry you through the entire winter season! The hexagonal vase lantern features six delightful panels displaying cheerful snowmen and intricate snowflakes (two designs, each repeated). Because these winter motifs aren't exclusively Christmas imagery, you can proudly display this beautiful piece through January and February.
The poinsettia blooms and delicate pine needle foliage with bright red berries complement the winter scenes perfectly, creating a cohesive seasonal display that transitions seamlessly from holiday celebration to winter wonderland.
The Meaningful History of Poinsettias
The poinsettia's connection to Christmas comes from a beautiful Mexican legend that perfectly embodies the spirit of giving from the heart.
The story tells of a young girl named Pepita who wanted to give a gift to baby Jesus at her church's Christmas Eve service. Being very poor, she had nothing of value to offer and was heartbroken. Her cousin Pedro tried to comfort her, saying that any gift given with love would be precious, no matter how humble.
Inspired by his words, Pepita gathered a simple bouquet of roadside weeds on her way to church. As she approached the nativity scene and knelt to place her modest offering before the manger, a miracle occurred—the green weeds suddenly burst into brilliant red blooms, transforming into the stunning flowers we now know as poinsettias!
The congregation witnessed this marvel and declared it a Christmas miracle. The vibrant red petals came to symbolize the blood of Christ and the Star of Bethlehem, while the story itself represents the beauty of giving from a pure heart, the miracle of faith, and the truth that no gift is too small when offered with genuine love.
Today, poinsettias remain one of the most beloved Christmas decorations, gracing homes, churches, and celebrations worldwide—a living reminder that the most meaningful gifts come from the heart.
The Design
This stunning centerpiece builds upon the hexagonal vase design I've featured throughout this series (find the original tutorial here). The six-sided structure creates the perfect showcase for the alternating snowman and snowflake panels, which glow beautifully when lit from within.
Add a multicolored LED tea light from your local dollar store at the center, and watch your creation come to life! The warm, dancing light illuminates the winter scenes while casting a gentle glow on the poinsettia blooms and pine foliage above. It makes an absolutely enchanting centerpiece for your holiday table or a cozy accent that brightens any room in your home.
What You'll Need
Materials:
- 65 lb white cardstock for the snowman and snowflake panels
- 65 lb red, green, and yellow cardstock for the poinsettia petals and leaves
- Vellum for backing the panels (allows the LED light to shine through beautifully)
- Battery-operated multicolored LED tea light
The combination of crisp white panels, vibrant poinsettia colors, and soft vellum backing creates a professional, polished look that will impress your holiday guests!
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
Follow these steps to create your winter wonderland centerpiece:
- Build the lantern base: Follow the assembly directions from the hexagonal vase project to construct your six-sided structure with the snowman and snowflake panels
- Back the panels with vellum to create that beautiful glowing effect when the LED is lit
- Create the floral elements: Assemble the pine needle foliage pieces with red berries at their centers, then construct the poinsettia flowers and attach them to their stems
- Add realistic dimension: Curl the poinsettia petals and pine needle foliage around a pencil or dowel to give them natural shape and movement
- Arrange your bouquet: Position the poinsettias and pine sprigs in the top of the hexagonal vase, arranging them until you achieve a balanced, full display
- Light it up: Place your battery-operated LED tea light inside the vase and enjoy the magical glow!
Safety reminder: Always use battery-operated LED lights rather than real candles for paper crafts—especially important with pets in the home!
Display tip: The multicolored LED creates a gentle, ever-changing ambiance. If you prefer a more traditional look, use a single warm white LED instead.
A Fond Farewell and Warm Wishes
And so we've reached the end of our 12 Days of Christmas Decorations journey! This poinsettia centerpiece feels like the perfect way to conclude—bringing together the light, color, beauty, and symbolism that make this season so magical.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along on this crafting adventure. Whether you made all twelve projects, chose a few favorites, or simply enjoyed reading and dreaming about future creations, your support and enthusiasm have meant the world to me.
I hope these projects have inspired you, brought you joy, and perhaps sparked your own creative spirit. Remember, every decoration you make with your own hands carries a special kind of magic—the magic of time, care, and love made visible.
May your home be filled with beauty, your heart with peace, and your holiday season with countless moments of joy and wonder. Thank you for letting me share my passion with you.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and creative New Year!
Happy crafting, my friends! 🎄✨🌟
P.S. - Don't let the end of this series stop your creative momentum! I'll continue sharing new projects on the blog. Be sure to subscribe so you won't miss future inspiration. And if you create any of these twelve projects, I'd absolutely love to see them—tag me or share in the comments!
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