DIY Paper Star Christmas Light Garland with Templates and Tutorial

Years ago, when I first started Abbi Kirsten Collections I released some fun 3D paper star luminaries. Over the years, I have designed more star templates, and this year, I wanted to create a paper star template that could be added to a string of Christmas lights, which could hang on a tree or mantle, and in today’s Christmas craft I will show you how to make them.

View my original star tutorial and take a peek at the original video (I’m happy to say, my videos sure have improved!)

Likewise, I even turned the star luminaries into a Christmas tree topper three years ago!

The star garland in this tutorial is easy enough a beginner crafter can create it. However, I recommend a Cricut machine to make this project easier, but I do include some star templates that can be cut by hand and folded.

DIY Paper star christmas Light garland Tutorial

To start, let’s review the supplies you need to create this Christmas craft project.

Supplies for 3D Paper Star Craft

• Cardstock (65-80 pound paper is best)
• Quick dry tacky glue. You can use a hot glue gun as well if you are not using a metallic paper like me.
• Cricut machine or pair of scissors
• Cricut green mat
• Christmas lights
• Wood dowel
• Bobby pins or sewing clips
• Paper star garland templates (details to access below)

Step 1: Download the paper star templates

Firstly, you will need to download the templates. Find these star templates inside our Craft Vault for all A-Stars, along with hundreds of other Christmas crafts. Once logged in, type in the keyword ‘paper stars’ to find all the star templates.

If you prefer to get just this one-star template for this project, you can download it in the shop. But the member option above gives you access to ALL the star designs plus hundreds of other craft files, making it the best value!

3D Paper Star Christmas Light Garland Christmas Craft

The video below will give you all the details, including the Cricut Design Space setup for your star garland. But if you prefer a written picture tutorial, keep reading for more details. Don’t forget to join the A-Star Crafters and access all my star templates, plus hundreds of other Cricut and papercraft projects!

Step 2: Upload the Star Templates to Design Space

After downloading the star garland templates from the Member Vault, upload the SVG files to Cricut Design Space. There are PDF printable versions included, but a machine will really help you here.

If you are new to Cricut, read my full tutorial for uploading SVG files to Design Space. For those who are overwhelmed by their Cricut machines, watch my free Cricut workshop here!

There are a couple of steps to prep your star templates. First, scale the template to size. If you want a huge star, you can cut them on 12 x 12 cardstock and make about a 23-inch star. Since these paper stars are intended for a Christmas garland, I am scaling each star template to 4.9 inches wide by 4.5 inches high.

Next, change the black lines to scorelines under the Operation dropdown. You may need to use the Ungroup tool to the top right to select just the lines.

Note: There are some star templates (such as the vine and floral star designs) included that have dash cutouts in place of the scorelines. In that case, you do not need to change any Operation type.

To ensure the scorelines stay put, use your Attach tool at the bottom of the Layers panel and attach the scorelines to the star template.

After that, select your material. I am using medium cardstock, so that is the material I choose.

Step 3: Cut out the Paper Star Templates

If you have a scoring wheel, place that in first. Once the scoring is complete, remove the scoring wheel and put it in the fine-point blade without unloading the cutting mat. You can also use a scoring stylus if you own one of the Cricut Explore models.

Step 4: Build the Paper Star

Fold each of the 5-star points along the scorelines. Close each template with the quick-dry tacky glue. You can also use hot glue if you use paper other than a metallic finish.

Connect each star point by meeting one side of the paper star with tabs to another star point side without the tabs.

Continue the last step until you have added all 4-star points together.

Finally, add the 5th paper star point and close the final star piece together. Adding in the last star point is the most challenging part of the paper stars, but if you are patient, you will get there.

Step 5: Add Christmas Lights

With this star garland template, you will notice a small hole to wiggle in the tip of your Christmas lights.

Make a bunch of these paper stars and place them onto a mantle or Christmas tree for a beautiful handmade Christmas paper decoration!

Did you enjoy this tutorial? Be sure to download the paper star templates in the Member Vault and get crafting!