Today we are celebrating Christmas in the Philippines! Whether you have Asian ties, or are just looking for a fun and unique holiday craft, these pretty parol lanterns are sure to serve you well.
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A couple of weeks ago, one of my supporters reached out and asked if I might be willing to make some traditional Filipino Christmas stars. I had never previously heard of parol lanterns before; but, after doing a little research, I felt like this was right up my alley!
Parol lanterns are often made of capiz shells, but I figured that cardstock and vellum would do for these ones. These stars have great importance in the Philippines, and are as iconic as Christmas trees in Western cultures.
To learn more about parol lanterns and their history, check out this article.
To assemble these parol lanterns:
- Use a cutting machine or X-Acto knife to cut out all of the pieces.
- Use glue to attach all of the vellum pieces to the inside of the frames.
- Fold along the score lines, and attach the two star pieces together by gluing the tabs to the inside.
- Make a couple of tassels using yarn. Curl the scalloped piece, and glue the tab to the inside. Attach the circular piece on top, and string the tassel through. Attach the tassels to the bottom points on the star, and attach a looped string on top.
I appologize for not including any pictures of the assembly process. I figured that this one wouldn’t be too difficult, but realized by the end that there actually were quite a few steps. Let me know if you have any trouble with it, though!
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other fun freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy putting these parol lanterns together. And don’t forget to share your festive finished products with me on Instagram!
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Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 17 Comments on Parol Lanterns – Christmas Star Cut Files
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Myrna
December 15, 2021 at 7:39 am (3 years ago)Thank you for making the Parol lantern! So beautiful, brings back a lot of memories from my childhood. Thank you and God bless you always.
Mandee
December 15, 2021 at 12:05 pm (3 years ago)I’m so glad you like it!!
Cherie Findlay
December 15, 2021 at 7:50 am (3 years ago)I was delighted to see your latest creations – the parol of the Philippines. It is special treat for me as I come from San Fernando, Pampanga where the giant lanterns are made and displayed for competition. I remember my Dad helping with some of the designs when i was young. Thank you for helping to share one of our beautiful traditions with others. Maligayang Pasko! (Merry Christmas)
Mandee
December 15, 2021 at 12:07 pm (3 years ago)How wonderful! Those giant lanterns would be quite a sight to see. I’m so glad I could facilitate that happy memory with my design. 😊
Diane
December 15, 2021 at 4:40 pm (3 years ago)I had no idea that this tradition even existed. I was wondering what lights are placed inside, and how they are held in without them going up in flames? It’s so nice to learn about other cultural traditions. Thank you so much for this one.
Mandee
December 16, 2021 at 4:14 pm (3 years ago)I am no expert, but I believe most parols are lit with electric lights these days. But they are made of shells traditionally, so that also might help if they are lit with candels. 🙂
And you are very welcome! I think it’s great to widen our cultural experience if possible!!
Carmen
December 19, 2021 at 10:08 pm (3 years ago)Thank you for sharing all your beautiful work. Is much appreciated.
Zlee Legaspi
January 19, 2022 at 10:53 pm (3 years ago)Ohmygod! I’m a new fan! I’m shookt that you feature this Parol! I’m from the Philippines. Do you have Filipino blood? <3 Stay safe Miss Mandee!
Mandee
January 20, 2022 at 9:59 am (3 years ago)Yay! I am so happy to have you here.
I don’t have any Filipino blood, but I do have Islander blood! My grandparents were from Hawaii. But I do have friends from The Philippines. And I made this project as a request from a Filipino follower of mine. 😊
adaline
January 26, 2022 at 8:02 am (3 years ago)thank you for this! im definitely doing this next Christmas (this coming septermber ’22) hahaha
Mandee
January 26, 2022 at 10:11 am (3 years ago)It’s good to be prepared!
AMR
October 29, 2023 at 11:39 am (11 months ago)I was wondering if you have videos for this and what materials did you use?
Mandee
October 30, 2023 at 10:01 am (11 months ago)Hi there! I used cardstock and translucent vellum to make these. And I don’t have an assembly video for this project, unfortunately.
AMR
October 30, 2023 at 3:06 pm (11 months ago)Thank you. I have read that you used Cricut for this project. I tried doing this in my cricut but I got confused which one should I use for cut and/or score. ;( I am correct to assume that those all all for basic cut? and not weld or unite the the file?
Mandee
November 1, 2023 at 12:09 pm (11 months ago)Hi there. If you are using the file that includes score lines, there is some set-up involved before sending it to cut. Here is a video that will walk you through the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ0y8rXDUJ0
Amy
December 16, 2023 at 3:35 pm (9 months ago)Hi Mandee, thanks so much for the design. It’s really hard to find the traditional materials to make a parol here in Canada. I illuminated mine by adding a submersible LED party light on a looped pipe cleaner hanger. I attached it to the inside of the top of the parol with a dot of hot glue and left one of the seems on the top point of the star unglued so that I can change the LED battery.
Mandee
December 18, 2023 at 9:38 am (9 months ago)How creative! I’m glad you were able to find a solution so that you can enjoy your pretty parol!!