DIY: Christmas Cardboard Village

Looking for festive decorations that won’t break the bank? DIY Christmas ornaments are always in style! A standout idea is crafting this cardboard village with Christmas lights on. These charming decorations can be mounted directly on your window glass, creating a cozy, glowing display that lasts all winter. Ready to make your own? Follow the step-by-step guide below!

Materials and Tools for Your Christmas Cardboard Village

The main material is cardboard, and I recommend using corrugated cardboard, as it’s easier to cut and shape than thick, solid cardboard. For crafting the right length, measure the width of the window where you’ll install the decoration. For example, I used a 75 cm (29.5 inches) long piece of cardboard.
You need a string of battery-operated LED lights long enough to illuminate all the houses you’ll craft.
Use white baking paper or parchment paper for the windows of your tiny houses.
Make sure you have different cutting tools on hand like scissors and a cutter, but also a ruler and a pencil.
Use clear tape for the paper windows, masking tape to secure the LED string, and a bit of double-sided tape to attach the whole craft to your window.
You need a white marker to draw the Christmas patterns on your cardboard houses.

How to Craft Your Christmas Cardboard Village

Start by measuring your window’s width to determine how big your houses will be. My window is 75 cm (29.5 inches) wide, and I managed to fit in six houses: some of them larger (15 cm / 5.9 in wide) and some of them smaller (10 cm / 3.9 in wide). The tallest house was 22 cm (8.6 inches) high. However, I varied the heights and designs for a more dynamic look. If you follow my measurements, I recommend window cutouts of 2.5 x 2.5 cm (cca 1 in x 1 in) or 2.5 x 3 cm (cca 1 in x 1.2 in) for taller houses.

Step 1: Measure and Cut

Calculate and mark the cutting lines on the cardboard using a pencil and a ruler. Since corrugated cardboard is relatively soft, trace carefully to create visible guidelines without tearing the surface. This will help you cut cleanly later.

Cutting is easy with a cutter (preferably one with a fine blade) or a craft scalpel for paper. Take your time for precise edges and avoid rushing to prevent mistakes.

Step 2: Add Windows

After cutting out the houses, cover the windows on the back side with thin paper, and secure the paper with tape. If having a neat appearance on both sides is important for you, carefully cut the paper pieces symmetrically and align them perfectly with each window. In my case, the back wasn’t visible through the glass, so I didn’t focus on perfect symmetry.

Step 3: Decorate Your Houses

Use a white marker to decorate the cardboard houses. Here, creativity is key! Draw unique designs for each house, adding details like stars, hearts, snowflakes, dots, lines, or any pattern on your choice.

You can also draw icicles dripping from the roofs and trees in front of the houses for a snowy, festive look. Feel free to skip or modify elements based on your taste—there are no rules here!

Step 4: Add Lighting

Attach a battery-operated LED string to the back of the houses using masking tape. Before securing it, ensure the LED lights align with the windows for a glowing effect. Position the battery pack near the hinge side of the window, ensuring the remaining cord is long enough to sit neatly on the windowsill without interfering when opening the window.

This step-by-step process ensures your illuminated cardboard houses are both functional and beautiful!

Final Step: Attach Your Cardboard Houses to the Window

The final step is securing your cardboard houses to the window glass. Use double-sided tape, placing small squares at key points: the edges and the center of each house. This ensures they stay flat and won’t warp. A small piece in each area is enough, making it easy to remove the decorations when the winter season ends.