Introduction: Lighted Bethlehem Star Tree Topper

Hello, internet friends! With the holidays soon approaching (and funds lower than ever) I thought I might show you guys how to make a lighted tree 6 pointed star tree topper for no more than $10!!!

Ready? 

oh, you're not ready?

okay I'll wait...




OKAY NOW LETS GO!


Things you will need:
-cardstock/thick paper
-a printer
-scissors
-an exacto knife 
-wax paper
-metallic gold paint
-wood glue
-a doorstop
-strand of white Christmas lights (LED preferred, and for simplicity try to avoid having more than 20 lights on your strand)
-patience
-classy christmas/holiday music
-funny hats (optional)


Step 1: Templates

Print out the templates I have provided below onto card stock or thick paper.

Cut out along the lines and use an exact-o knife to cut out the inside shapes. (You can skip this step if you'd like a star that doesn't light up) 

Step 2: Fold

Once you have cut out all of the pieces, fold the sections along the remaining lines. This will give you four shapes that start to resemble parts of the star.

Step 3: Glue

Use wood or tacky glue to attach the tabs connecting the tops and bottoms of the star. This should leave you with two star shapes. 

Step 4: Cut Wax Paper Accordingly.

Use the front star plate to measure out kite shapes in the wax paper. These will later act as panels that diffuse the light within the star.

*Note: if you are not using lights, feel free to skip this step.

Step 5: Paint

Use gold, silver, or copper metallic paint to paint the front and back of your star. Let dry.

Step 6: Attach Wax Paper

Once the paint is dry, glue the wax paper panels to the inside of your star front. When finished, it should look like this. 

Step 7: Attach Back.

Use the tabs on both of your half-stars to glue the front to the back. 

Step 8: Attach Doorstopin

What's a tree topper without that little coil-y thing at the bottom that attaches it to the tree? that's right. It's just a star. A pathetic, useless star with no friends. Which is why this next step involves hot gluing an old doorstop to the bottom of your star. You may have to cut off the bottom of part of your star to do this. 

Step 9: Add Light!

So if you were looking at the templates you'll see that there is a hole located on the back of the star. Originally, I intended to simply place a light bulb inside the star and use that hole as an access hatch.

That is until the thought occurred to me that THE LIGHT BULB WAS REALLY HOT AND OH MY GOODNESS THIS STAR IS MADE OF PAPER AND WAX?!?! AM I TRYING TO BURN DOWN MY ENTIRE HOUSE?!?!?!?!

So instead I decided to use some LED Christmas lights (that are smaller and give off much less heat) that I had to stick in through the back with a method demonstrated in the pictures. This worked magnificently. 

You can use other methods for attaching lights but I highly suggest the method demonstrated just to ensure that you do not have a burned down house this Christmas. 

Step 10: Top the Tree!

And you are done! plug in the excess lights hanging from the star to the lights you are using for your tree and attach the star to the top of your evergreen. 

Then sit down and let the twinkling lights of your Christmas tree memorize you.

Be careful to never let these lights run overnight or when no one is in the room. The star is made of paper, after all, and although the lights are not likely to set your tree topper aflame during short periods of time, all lights conduct heat and it is highly possible that if given all night or any other extended amount of time, the paper could catch fire. 

That being said, feel free to enjoy your new tree topper and have a safe and happy holiday! 

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