A Perfect Tree-Sized Treasure
For Day 9, I'm excited to share a charming miniature lantern that's perfectly sized as a Christmas tree ornament! Remember the elf lantern from Day 1? I've taken that beloved design and reimagined it in a smaller scale, replacing the busy elves with three different styles of elegant Christmas balls. The result is a delicate, glowing ornament that adds both beauty and light to your tree.
The Design Evolution
This petite lantern builds upon the hexagonal vase design I've shared in previous projects (find the original tutorial here). The six-sided structure creates a beautiful geometric frame that showcases the festive ornament panels on each face.
Here's where the magic happens: add a multicolored LED tea light from your local dollar store in the center, and watch your lantern transform into a miniature beacon of holiday cheer! The light dances through the panels, creating a warm, inviting glow that looks stunning hanging on your tree or displayed as a small centerpiece on your holiday table.
What You'll Need
Materials:
- Neenah 65 lb white cardstock for the Christmas ball panels
- 65 lb foil cardstock for all structural pieces
- Vellum for backing the panels (this allows the light to shine through beautifully!)
- Battery-operated multicolored LED tea light
The foil cardstock adds an elegant, festive shimmer that beautifully catches and reflects the LED light, creating an enchanting display of color and sparkle.
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 my detailed hexagonal vase assembly tutorial to construct your ornament, with these specific steps:
- Build the base structure following the hexagonal vase directions
- Attach the vellum behind each Christmas ball panel to create a translucent backing that allows light to glow through
- Add decorative elements such as any embellishments or trim pieces
- Insert your LED tea light into the center of the lantern
- Add a hanging ribbon or thread to the top for displaying on your tree
Safety reminder: Always use battery-operated LED lights rather than real candles for paper crafts—especially important for tree ornaments!
Display tip: The multicolored LED creates a beautiful color-changing effect that makes this ornament extra special. You can also use a single-color LED if you prefer a more traditional look.
This miniature lantern ornament brings a magical touch of light and elegance to your Christmas tree! It's also small enough to make several in different color schemes for a coordinated collection. Come back tomorrow for Day 10 of our Christmas decoration series. Happy crafting! 🎄✨
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