A Personal Ornament Solution
The Christmas season is upon us, and this year I'm decorating my tree with paper ornaments for a very special reason—I have a new kitten! While he's adorable, I'm being cautious about breakable glass ornaments and his playful (read: mischievous) nature. Paper ornaments are the perfect solution: beautiful, festive, and worry-free.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
I've created a complete set of ornaments depicting the beloved "Twelve Days of Christmas"! For those unfamiliar with the tradition, the twelve days of Christmas begin with the birth of Christ on December 25th and culminate on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6th—the day when the three wise men of the East (the Magi) followed the Star of Bethlehem to worship the newborn King and present their gifts.
The classic song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" inspired this ornament collection. Each three-dimensional five-pointed star features one of the iconic scenes from the song:
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree
- Two Turtle Doves
- Three French Hens
- Four Calling Birds
- Five Golden Rings
- Six Geese a-Laying
- Seven Swans a-Swimming
- Eight Maids a-Milking
- Nine Ladies Dancing
- Ten Lords a-Leaping
- Eleven Pipers Piping
- Twelve Drummers Drumming
Each ornament tells part of the story, and together they create a complete narrative on your tree!
What You'll Need
Materials:
- Neenah 65 lb white gold cardstock from Office Depot (for the scenery inside each star)
- Decorative cardstock of your choice for the three-dimensional star frames (consider using different colors for each ornament!)
- Thread or ribbon for hanging
- Cardstock for the identification tags
The white gold cardstock adds an elegant shimmer that catches and reflects light beautifully, making each scene sparkle with festive magic.
Equipment:
- Electronic cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut)
Cut Files
Choose the file that matches your machine:
- Silhouette users: Download the .Studio file [link to file]
- Cricut users: Download the SVG file [link to file]
Quick tip for SVG users: The design extends beyond the initial viewable area, so just zoom out to see the complete pattern.
Assembly Instructions
Ready to create your ornament collection? Follow my detailed [step-by-step assembly tutorial here] to bring each star to life. In this past posting, the scenery is entirely different than this one.
The assembly process includes:
- Cut all pieces from your cardstock—you'll need pieces for 12 complete ornaments if making the full set
- Fold and assemble each five-pointed star frame
- Assemble the scenes by carefully gluing the scenery elements to the five-sided inner frame
- Insert the scenery into the star, securing it in place
- Create identification tags for each ornament so viewers know which "day" they're admiring
- Attach thread or ribbon to both the star and its tag
- Hang your ornaments on your Christmas tree or display them in windows where they can catch the light and be admired by all
Helpful tip: You can make all twelve ornaments for a complete set, or choose your favorite scenes to create a smaller collection. They're also wonderful as individual gifts!
These Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments are kitten-safe, beautiful, and tell a beloved holiday story. Whether you're protecting your decorations from curious pets or simply love the charm of handmade ornaments, this collection will bring joy to your tree! Join me tomorrow for Day 9 of our festive series! ⭐🎄✨
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