With Christmas just a few weeks away, Santa’s elves are hard at work making toys for all the little girls and boys of the world. And while we aren’t able to witness all of the action taking place at the North Pole, you may just catch a glimpse of the excitement when you take a peek at my latest creation—this Santa’s workshop paper lantern.

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My wonderful patrons chose this cute design! Each month, my Patreon subscribers help me select a couple of the projects I create, and this design was one of the top picks for the month of November.

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Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.

5 from 3 votes

Santa's Workshop Paper Lantern

Learn how to assemble this festive papercraft—perfect for the Christmas season!

Materials

Cardstock
Vellum
Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
Bone Folder optional
A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
My Free Template

Instructions

Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the pieces to your Santa’s workshop paper lantern.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.

Layering the Decorative Pieces

Start by attaching the decorative pieces to the sides of your lantern. Glue the vellum window pieces to the inside, as well as the black silhouettes.
Take your roof pieces and attach the vellum liners to those as well.

Assembling the Lantern

Take your lantern wall shapes and fold along the score lines. Attach the two halves together using the long side tabs.
Fold the base section inward and attach it to the bottom tabs.
Next, attach the roof piece (the one that has the two triangle sides) to the top tabs, centering the hexagonal hole.
Next, take the other roof piece and fold the whole thing in half, along the score line. Attach it to the top of the lantern using the tabs on either end as well as the tabs on the triangle sections.
Finally, arrange all of the little presents and toys around the outside of the workshop, and your lantern is complete!

Notes

When assembled, this project is about 4.5" wide, 3.75" deep, and 6" tall.

View the full-size tutorial photos below.

Supplies

Cardstock
Vellum
Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
Bone Folder (optional)
A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
My Free Template

How to Make It

1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the pieces to your Santa’s workshop paper lantern.

Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.

Layering the Decorative Pieces

2. Start by attaching the decorative pieces to the sides of your lantern. Glue the vellum window pieces to the inside, as well as the black silhouettes.

Take your roof pieces and attach the vellum liners to those as well.

Assembling the Lantern

3. Take your lantern wall shapes and fold along the score lines. Attach the two halves together using the long side tabs.

Fold the base section inward and attach it to the bottom tabs.

Next, attach the roof piece (the one that has the two triangle sides) to the top tabs, centering the hexagonal hole.

4. Next, take the other roof piece and fold the whole thing in half, along the score line. Attach it to the top of the lantern using the tabs on either end as well as the tabs on the triangle sections.

Finally, arrange all of the little presents and toys around the outside of the workshop, and your lantern is complete!

If you’re hesitant to take a crack at one of my more complex Christmas Village projects, but want to create a fun decor piece this holiday season, then this little lantern is just the thing! And even if you’re a papercrafting master, this is still an enjoyable project that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

I just love seeing all of the little elf silhouettes shine through when you place a tealight inside!

I use Adobe Illustrator for all 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 making this Santa’s workshop paper lantern for yourself! And, as always, be sure to share your finished results with me on Instagram.

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.

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.

11 Comments

11 Comments on Santa’s Workshop Paper Lantern – Christmas Cut Files

Helen J Roberts
November 21, 2023 at 8:20 am (10 months ago)

So adorable! This is a great addition to the Christmas Village. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
- Mandee
  November 27, 2023 at 10:34 pm (10 months ago)
  
  I’m so glad that you like it, Helen!!
  Reply
Charlotte Silber
November 21, 2023 at 8:39 am (10 months ago)

This is so cute. Thank you for sharing your talent;
Reply
- Mandee
  November 27, 2023 at 10:34 pm (10 months ago)
  
  Thanks for your kind words, Charlotte!
  Reply
auntie em
November 22, 2023 at 4:24 am (10 months ago)

What an adorable little work shop! So many sweet details to make it even more special. Thank you so much ! 🙂
Reply
- Mandee
  November 27, 2023 at 10:35 pm (10 months ago)
  
  I’m so glad you like it!
  Reply
YVONNE TUCKER
November 22, 2023 at 3:37 pm (10 months ago)

So beautiful.
Reply
- Mandee
  November 27, 2023 at 10:36 pm (10 months ago)
  
  Thank you Yvonne!
  Reply
Kylie Lawson
April 26, 2024 at 5:49 am (5 months ago)

Hi Mandeep I Love Your Design But for Some Reason I Can’t Save the Pattern 😔 Hope you can Help Cheers Kylie 😁
Reply
- Mandee
  May 3, 2024 at 12:40 pm (4 months ago)
  
  Hi Kylie,
  
  Sorry you are having trouble. You can downlaod my designs by clicking on the “download” button just below the main image in the post. For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips, check out my FAQ page.
  Reply
Kylie Lawson
April 26, 2024 at 5:50 am (5 months ago)

Spell Check Is Bad I Meant Mandee lol 😂
Reply

Santa’s Workshop Paper Lantern – Christmas Cut Files

Like this design? Consider leaving a tip to show your support.

Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.