Paper Parol Star
Bring a touch of Christmas around the world into your home or classroom with this Paper Parol Star craft. A parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas lantern that represents the Star of Bethlehem. This is a wonderful way for kids to enjoy holiday crafting while learning about traditions from the Philippines.
This festive project is best for older kids with a little patience for folding, gluing, and assembling. The finished star makes a beautiful decoration for holiday displays, windows, or classroom activities.
Supplies
- Tag board
- 1/8-inch hole punch
- 1/4-inch hole punch
- 3 sheets tissue paper, cut into 5 1/2-inch squares
- Glue
- 1 yard nylon filament
- Needle
- Scissors
- Stylus
- Straight edge
- Optional:
- Fiskars Texture Plate, filigree
- Texturing tool
- Cinnamon potpourri
- Punched paper motif, shell, or stamped design for the center
Instructions
- Cut out two parol star pieces using the printable pattern. Score the fold lines with a stylus and straight edge so they fold neatly.
- Punch the 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch holes in both star pieces where marked on the pattern.
- Glue tissue paper to the inside of each star. Trim the edges of the tissue paper, then cut between the tabs so the tabs can fold inward cleanly.
- Fold the tabs to the inside of each star.
- Cut about eight strips of tissue paper measuring 1/8 inch by 5 1/2 inches. Cut each strip in half to create the decorative tassel pieces. Glue the strips into the two lower points of the star.
- Apply glue to the top of a small tab on one star piece. Line up the second star piece back to back with the first one. Stick the large tab from the second star over the small tab on the first star and glue them together.
- Continue gluing the tabs together around all five points until the star is assembled. If desired, add a little cinnamon potpourri inside before sealing the final tab.
- To make a hanging loop, thread a needle with nylon filament. Run the needle through the top point of the star. Bring the ends together and tie a knot.
- If you like, decorate the center of the star with a punched paper motif, a shell, or a stamped design.
Fun Facts
- The parol is one of the most popular Christmas decorations in the Philippines.
- It is traditionally shaped like a star to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.
- Parols are often displayed in homes, schools, churches, and community celebrations during the Christmas season.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This Christmas craft is a fun way to introduce children to holiday traditions from around the world. After making the Paper Parol Star, invite kids to locate the Philippines on a map and talk about how Christmas is celebrated there.
You can also turn this into a writing activity by asking students to compare Christmas decorations in their own community with decorations used in other countries. This makes a great holiday classroom activity that blends art, geography, and cultural learning.
Supplies
Tag board
1/8” and 1/4” hole punches
3 Sheets Tissue paper (51/2” square)
Glue
1 Yard nylon filament
Needle
Scissors
Stylus
Straight edge
Optional:
Fiskars® Texture Plate: filigree
and Texturing Tool
Instructions
Cut two parol stars according to pattern found by clicking on the printables. Score the fold lines with stylus.
Punch 1/8” and 1/4” holes in both star sides according to pattern. Glue tissue paper on the inside of each star. Trim tissue edges and cut to separate tabs. Fold tabs to the inside of each star as shown on the picture below.
Cut about eight 1/8” x 51/2” strips tissue paper. Cut lengths in half. Glue eight strips in two lower star points.
Apply glue on the top of a small tab. Align the 2 stars back to back. Stick large tab from second star over small tab on first star. Glue each tab together. Continue around all five points.
Optional: Pour cinnamon potpourri in star before sealing last tab.
Hanging loop: Thread needle with nylon filament. Run needle and filament through top star point. Bring filament ends together. Tie off ends.
Optional: Glue a punched motif, shell or rubber stamped design on star center.
Apply glue on the top of a small tab. Stick large tab from second star, over small tab.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Other Images
Click on an image to open it in a new window
Contributor
Remember what we all say at Hands On Crafts for Kids, ”there’s no right or wrong way to crafting…only our way!” We hope that you will join us for Hands On Crafts for Kids – Back to Basics.
