Christmas Tree Wood Lantern – 2 Hour Project

Find out how to build a Christmas Tree Wood Lantern with this step by step tutorial. It takes about 2 hours to build.

This DIY Christmas tree wood lantern is the perfect indoor and outdoor Christmas decoration!

Deck the Home with 2 Hour Holiday Decor

It’s that time again! Deck the Home Challenge time!

I’m really loving that the challenge involves new Christmas projects every week. I love any excuse to work on Christmas projects!

In case you missed it, last week’s challenge was door decor.

It was the perfect excuse to add another Christmas countdown to my collection! Woot woot! I made a Fabric Advent Calendar with pockets!!

This week’s challenge: 2 Hour Holiday Decor

What a great theme it is!

I find that both November and December just fly by with all the gathering, parties, shopping, etc..

Most of my weekends leading up to Christmas are already booked. But I do have blocks of 2 hours here and there to do some Christmas DIY projects. hehe

I’m ready to tackle my Christmas project in 2 hours!

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a collection of 2 hour Holiday decor that will help inspire you to DIY this Holiday season.

This post also contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Christmas Tree Wood Lantern

Supplies:

• Wood
• Christmas Tree template or paper and pencil to draw your own
• Transfer paper
• Pencil
• Washi tape
• Carpenter’s glue
• Christmas lights or battery operated candle

Tools:

• Measuring tape
• Miter saw
• Orbit sander
• Sanding block
• Printer
• Jigsaw
• Nail gun

Cut List:

• 2 wood pieces 10″ x 27″ long
• 2 wood pieces 6.5″ x  27″ long
• 2x 9.5″ x 11″ long
• Interior of lid 2x 6.5″ and 2x 6.25″
• Handle 2 pieces 5.5″ x 7″ and 2.5″ x 4″

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut wood pieces based on the cut list using a miter saw.

Step 2: Print Christmas Tree Template.

Christmas Tree Template part 1, Christmas Tree Template part 2, Christmas Tree Template part 3

Step 3: Align the 3 pages together and tape them together with washi tape.

Step 4: Place transfer paper over one of the 10″ x 27″ pieces and trace the Christmas Tree on it with a pencil.

Step 5: Time to cut out the tree. To cut out the tree, drill holes with ⅜ bit close to each corner.

Step 6: Insert jigsaw equipped with a scroll cut blade inside the holes and cut. Repeat until the entire tree is cut out.

Step 7: Sand rough edges to make everything smooth.

Step 8: Assemble the four sides together with glue and nails. Goodness, do I love the nail gun, sure makes projects come together fast.

Step 9: Put glue at the bottom of the sides. Place the bottom (9.5″ x 11″ piece) centered over the glue and use a nail gun to secure into place.

Step 10: Flip the Christmas tree wood box onto its bottom and place the remaining 9.5″ x 11″ piece on the top. Use a pencil to trace the interior contour of the top. This is to determine where to fasten the interior pieces that keep the lid in place.

Step 11: Attach the small pieces of wood inside the pencil contour with glue and nails.

Please note: Instead of using small pieces, a big piece measuring 6.5″ x 7.75″ (inside opening measurement of the box) could have been used. It would probably be faster that way if you do not have scrap wood like we had on hand.. hehe We will do that next time we make one.

Step 12: Position the 5.5″ x 7″ piece centered on top of the lid. Use a pencil to mark the corners. Remove the piece and put glue underneath. Place the piece within the pencil markings. Fasten it into place with nails.

Step 13: Repeat Step 12 with the 2.5″ x 4″ piece.

Step 14: Place lid on the wood box and enjoy!

DIY Christmas Tree Wood Lantern

Isn’t the Christmas lantern pretty? I love it beyond words!

It’s about 30.5″ tall. I love that it’s bulky and tall.

How to add lighting to a wood lantern

In order to transform the Christmas tree box into a lantern, you must add lighting.

We tried two different types of lighting.

We use a battery operated candle.

It gives a beautiful glow!

We also tried string lights which is really nice because you do not see them.

We taped the string lights around the inside of the box. I used colored washi tape so that you could see where I taped it.

I used tape instead of hooks because the string lights kept bending.

To use the Christmas Tree Wood Lanterns outside, a hole can be drilled in the back to add exterior lights inside it. Hooks can be added to string the lights around the inside. You can also apply outdoor sealer to keep the wood from aging because of the weather.

2 Hour Christmas Decorations

Christmas Tree Light Box

Does the shape of the Christmas tree remind you of something?

It’s the same shape as my Wooden Christmas Trees with Lights from a few a years ago. One of my favorite Christmas projects.

What do you think of my 2 hour Christmas project? Do you love it as much as I do? I hope so!

Please note that if you are new to using tools, this project might take you more than two hours to build. But I’m certain you’ll have fun building it!

I hope I have inspired you to DIY your own Christmas decoration this Holiday season.

Have a great one my friends!

Christine