How to Make Christmas Elf Ornaments with a Laser

Add charm to your tree with laser-cut elf ornaments. Follow this easy tutorial to craft holiday decorations or thoughtful gifts.

Two wooden Christmas elf ornaments wearing Santa hats, one with a smiling face and one with a

If you're looking to add a little handmade charm to your tree this year, these DIY elf ornaments are a fun place to start.

They're made with a laser cut file, which means they are quick and easy to come together with clean lines and lots of character.

This project is perfect for holiday crafters of all skill levels, whether you're making keepsakes, your own tree, or gifting the holiday decor to friends and family.

These elf ornaments are simple, festive, and guaranteed to bring a smile.

Jump to:

Craft Tutorial Video
Supply List
Elf Ornaments Laser File
Cut File with Laser
Paint Pieces
Assemble Naughty Nice Elf Ornament
Assemble Elf Face Ornament
More DIY Christmas Ornaments

Skill Level: Beginner

Total Time: 1 hour

Craft Tutorial Video

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Supply List

Laser Cutting Machine
Elf Ornaments Laser File
3mm MDF
Acrylic Paint - White, Red, Black, Hair, and Flesh
Makeup Sponge Wedges
Masking Tape
Packing Paper
Sand Paper
Wood Glue

Craft supplies for a DIY project including acrylic paints, glue, makeup sponges, pink tape dispenser, and a wooden board background.

Elf Ornaments Laser File

Two wooden laser cut Christmas elf ornaments wearing Santa hats, with one featuring a

Cut File with Laser

Import the file into your laser-cutting software and proceed with cutting.

This file is designed for 3mm material, but it can be cut to any width.

Be sure to cut the black lines and score/fill the blue lines.

Laser cutting machine engraving elf ornament shapes on wood with a red laser beam, showing outlines and details for a DIY holiday craft project.

Paint Pieces

I am making both styles of ornaments, and here are all of the cut pieces.

Laser cut wood pieces shaped like elf faces, including engraved details and cutouts, ready to assemble into Christmas ornaments with a "Daily Elf Update" design.

I like to tape the pieces down to a table covered with paper to prepare for painting.

The tape holds the pieces so I don't get paint all over my fingers, and the paper protects my table.

I grouped the pieces by color.

The piece with the Naughty and Nice etched into it, and the piece with the rectangle, don't need to be painted.

Assorted laser cut wood pieces arranged on a table, including elf face parts, ears, hat, and small shapes, ready to assemble into Christmas ornaments.

I like to paint these small pieces with cosmetic sponges because they are cheaper than sponge brushes and work just as well.

If you cut them in half, they are even more cost-effective!

Dab the fat end of the sponge into the paint, and then dab the paint onto the MDF pieces.

Apply 2-3 coats and let the pieces dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Hand painting small laser cut elf ornament pieces in red, white, black, and brown, with foam wedges and wood cutouts laid out on a crafting surface.

Assemble Naughty Nice Elf Ornament

Add glue to the back of the elf shape with the rectangular hole, and center it on top of the Naughty Nice piece.

Hands gluing together base layers of a laser cut wood elf ornament, with "Naughty" and "Nice" text visible on the back piece.

Glue the tiny rectangle on top of the slightly larger rectangle. This is the slider.

Hands assembling a small red slider piece for a laser cut elf ornament, with the ornament back showing "Naughty" and "Nice" engraved slots.

While waiting for the slider to dry, arrange the elf face pieces before adhering them to the base.

Partially assembled laser cut elf ornament with a red Santa hat, white collar, ears, and hair, showing a cut-out slot labeled "Daily Elf Update."

Make sure the slider is completely dry, and lightly rub over some sandpaper to sand the base just a bit to make it slide better.

Hands sanding a small red slider piece on sandpaper, with painted laser cut elf ornament parts, including hat, ears, and collar, laid out on the workspace.

Place the slider in the slot, add glue to the back of the face piece, and adhere to the base by aligning the edges. This will secure the slider in place.