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How to Make a 3D Reindeer Decoration

October 21, 2020 By: Katie23 Comments

You can make a fun 3D Reindeer Decoration to add to your holiday decor using your Cricut Explore Airt. Video tutorial below!

title image for How to Make a 3D Reindeer Decoration

When I was a little girl we had a 3D reindeer that was made of wood, I think my oldest sister painted it.

It was one of my very favorite decorations and I would put it together and take it apart over and over again. I

I couldn’t help but think of that reindeer decoration over and over again as I was in my studio crafting today. That memory is what inspired my own 3D Reindeer Decoration.

Do you love to make handmade Christmas decorations too?

Supplies Used

Items linked below may go to similar items when exact items couldn’t be found online. Links are affiliate so I will get a small kickback to help fund the next tutorial!

  • Cricut Explore Air
  • Foam Board
  • Holiday Wrapping Paper
  • Craft Knife
  • Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive
  • Red Glitter Glue

3D Reindeer Decoration Video Tutorial

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How to Make a 3D Reindeer Christmas Decoration

This project started when I was browsing Cricut Design Space for some holiday inspiration. I came across this file called Deer Stand-up Icon. Isn’t he cute?

stand up deer from cricut design space

That is when I had my idea to trace the cut-out onto foam board to make him a bit more sturdy and dress him up with wrapping paper.

I wanted my reindeer as big as I could get it while still using my 12×12 cutting mat. I ended up stretching it to where the file would have to be cut out on two sheets of 12×12 cardstock. The body on one and the front and hind legs on the other.

stand up deer on cricut design space canvas

Here are my pieces once cut out. These became my pattern pieces.

stencil of 3d reindeer

I used my pattern pieces and traced around them onto my foam core board.

stencil traced onto foam core board

With a craft knife, I went around each line and cut the piece out. This was the most time-consuming part.

cut out 3d reindeer pieces out of foam core board

I did have to cut the slit on both of the leg pieces a little bit wider than marked, and when assembled my cute little reindeer already looks awesome!

blank 3d reindeer decoration

I decided to cover my reindeer with wrapping paper because I would need 4 sheets of matching scrapbook paper, and I wasn’t sure I had that. But I knew I had enough wrapping paper.

Did you know that you can run wrapping paper through your Cricut? You totally can, but I would recommend using a mat that doesn’t have a lot of stickiness left to it.

Wrapping paper is much thinner than regular paper and if you have a new or super sticky mat, it will be difficult to remove the wrapping paper without tearing it.

wrapping paper on a cricut cutting mat

Put your Cricut on the paper setting, and cut.

cricut explore paper setting

I kept my file the same size as my pattern pieces and just cut them out of the wrapping paper. Then I went back in and mirrored the file and cut out another set so I could cover both sides of the reindeer.

To adhere the wrapping paper pieces to the foam board,, I used Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive. I thought of using liquid glue, but I didn’t want my paper to bubble because it was wet. The spray adhesive worked perfectly.

wrapping paper applied to foam core board pieces using spray glue

To hide the stark white edges I applied some Red Glitter Glue all the way around each piece.

red glitter glue

I put a bead along all of the edges and spread it out using a thin paintbrush, only focusing on one small area at a time.

red glitter glue on the edges of the foam core board

To dry, I balanced each piece on top of a couple of acrylic paint jars. I did this so the glitter glue wouldn’t drip and dry the pieces to my table.

red glitter glue on the edges of the foam core board drying before assembly

I let the glitter glue dry overnight. The next morning I assembled my majestic reindeer, Prancer. I couldn’t be more pleased with how my 3D Decorative Deer turned out.

assembled 3d reindeer decoration for the holidays

What was your favorite Christmas decoration you played with growing up? Share and leave a comment below!

3D Reindeer Decoration 20
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How to Make a 3D Reindeer Decoration

You can make a fun 3D Reindeer Decoration to add to your holiday decor using your Cricut Explore Airt.

Materials

  • Cricut Explore Air
  • Foam Board
  • Holiday Wrapping Paper
  • Craft Knife
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Red Glitter Glue

Instructions

  • Cut stencil pieces out of cardstock using your Cricut Explore Air.
  • Trace around stencil pieces onto the foam core board.
  • Cut pieces out with a sharp craft knife.
  • Cut wrapping paper on Cricut Explore using a mat that is not super sticky.
  • Adhere the wrapping paper pieces to the foam board using Spray Adhesive.
  • Apply Red Glitter Glue around the edges of the foam core board pieces.
  • Let dry.
  • Assemble.

Love reindeer? These DIY Plaid Fabric Reindeer are pretty awesome too!

Want to learn more about the possibilities of Cricut? Click here to purchase your own Cricut Cutting Machine!

mint cricut explore air 2

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Comments

  1. creativejewishmom/sara says

    November 29, 2015 at 1:25 am

    great job, cutting out that shape from foam core can be a little bit difficult! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 29, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      You’re right, cutting the foam core wasn’t my favorite part, but I love the finished result!

      Reply
  2. Sara says

    December 1, 2015 at 12:27 am

    This is absolutely adorable! I’m having trouble finding this cut file on the cricut design space. I have searched every which way and cannot find Deer Standup Icon? Please help! I love this and want to make it so bad!

    Thanks, Sara

    Reply
    • Katie says

      December 1, 2015 at 8:05 am

      I am so glad that you like it. I would love to see yours when you are finished with it! It is called Deer Stand-Up Icon #M524E46.

      Reply
    • Lynn S. says

      December 18, 2020 at 8:11 pm

      I had to specify the “Cricut Community” category in order to find the cut file!

      Reply
  3. Laurie says

    December 2, 2015 at 8:35 am

    This is adorable! You are one crafty lady! Thank you for sharing with us at Brag About It!
    ~Laurie

    Reply
  4. Celeste says

    December 5, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    How cute is this? So creative and pretty, and I love that you can totally customize it with all kinds of different paper patterns!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      December 6, 2015 at 9:02 am

      You totally can! I loved that too. There are so many different paper options out there!

      Reply
  5. Liz says

    December 6, 2015 at 1:23 am

    Wow, this is such a great deco idea!! Have to make this, too! Thanks for sharing your tutorial with us!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      December 6, 2015 at 9:01 am

      I am so glad that you like it. I would love to see yours and I may just share it on facebook!

      Reply
  6. Create With Joy says

    December 6, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Dear Katie,

    Every time I see your reindeer, it brings a smile to my face!
    Congratulations – I’m happy to announce that you are one of our Featured Guests at this week’s Inspire Me Monday Party #205 at Create With Joy!

    Hope you are having a blessed Christmas season! 🙂

    Reply
  7. cARRIE @ Crafty Moms Share says

    December 13, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    Beautiful ! I would love to have you share at my craft link party: http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2015/12/handmade-christmas-craft-book-review.html!

    Reply
  8. Diana Rambles says

    December 17, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    Super cute! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  9. michelle l says

    November 21, 2016 at 7:58 am

    He is gorgeous! The wrapping paper idea is so great, and of course makes the perfect pattern for your Xmas-y deer!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 21, 2016 at 8:45 am

      Thank you Michelle! I am so glad that you like my Reindeer!

      Reply
  10. Sarah bell says

    November 22, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    Such a cute idea!!! I love it 🙂
    #Let’sBeFriendsBlogHop

    Sarah Bell
    Trendy & Tidy

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 23, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you Sarah! I am so glad that you like my 3D Reindeer. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  11. Cheryl Fanning says

    September 26, 2018 at 8:50 am

    Are you able to share the cricut Deer Stand-Up Icon #M524E46? They must have taken it down… I want to make one! Cheryl

    Reply
    • Katie says

      September 26, 2018 at 10:07 am

      Thank you Cheryl for bringing this to my attention. I was able to locate the file and have created a project for it. If you go to the following link you should be able to access it. http://shrsl.com/16va8

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  12. Linda says

    October 12, 2020 at 1:08 am

    Hi
    Could you please share this template? It seems to be the most beautiful shape and easiest to make.
    Would really appreciate x

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 13, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Hi Linda, The template is available on Cricut Design Space and you can get to it here http://shrsl.com/16va8

      Reply
  13. Carol says

    October 22, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    So cute! I love this idea. Just pinned it.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 27, 2020 at 8:53 am

      Thank you so much Carol!

      Reply

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