Papercut Canal Houses for Christmas
Sometimes, really simple crafts can make such beautiful holiday décor. Take these paper canal houses, for instance! They’re easy to make, yet they look so elegant on my mantel with just a few LED lights and some fresh greenery. If you like decorating your home with paper houses for the holidays, you might also like our 3D paper Christmas village and our paper house ornament.
Downloads
Papercut European House Luminary SVG Papercut European House Luminary PDF Template Papercut European House Luminary Instructions PDF Papercut European House Luminary Photo TutorialTools
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- Cutting Machine (recommended)
- Craft Knife, Ruler, and Cutting Mat (if cutting by hand)
- Scoring Tool
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Christmas Canal Houses
A lot of our DIY projects are inspired by nature, our travels, and what surrounds us. Today it's the canal houses of Amsterdam that inspired us to make these paper versions. To make them look like the real thing, we designed these houses to be slimmer and taller compared to some of the other paper houses we've made.
Since there are a lot of small windows and little details on these paper canal houses, we recommend using a cutting machine. This will speed up the DIY process and make it much simpler too. However, you can cut these by hand using our PDF template below and a craft knife.
After you assemble your paper canal houses, we think they'd look pretty with some LED candles inside of them or a string of fairy lights. This plus the vellum sheets will give them that warm holiday glow! We'd love to see how you use these houses as Christmas decorations, so make sure to use the hashtag #MadeWithLia if you make your own version.
How to Make a Paper Canal House Luminary
- Gather your craft tools and materials. Then download the template below.
- Cut out and score your paper house and vellum window pieces according to the template using a cutting machine (recommended). Need help? Read this post. Or use our PDF to cut by hand with a craft knife and score along the dotted lines with a scoring tool. Note: the PDF houses are slightly smaller to fit onto 8.5” x 11” cardstock when printed.
- Fold along score lines and glue the vellum piece to the inside of the house windows.
- Glue the tab on the base to the inside of the house. Fold the non-tabbed bottom piece on top and glue in place.
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Heidi
November 19, 2025 at 4:33am
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Leave a CommentHow well would these translate to using wood? I would love to do some but want them to be quite sturdy to hold up over the years.
That is a great idea. Just adjust for the thickness of the wood. I made a house in pottery class last year, and it turned out so cute. Much simpler but really sweet.
Do you know if there is a way for me to erase the side panels in the SVG in cricut so that I can just use the front part of the house? Thanks!
Are you looking to do something like this? https://liagriffith.com/paper-winter-house-garland/
On my IPad, I am unable to download SVG files. Any suggestions?
Do you have access to a computer where you can download them and put them into a folder that you can share to your iPad?
HI what weight card stock do you recommend? I am going to use these for cookie boxes and would like a heavier brown cardstock. Thank you
Since weight varies per manufacturer, I would say anything that is 90lb or heavier. These will make adorable cookie boxes! Share photos. 😉
I can’t seem to find the trees…clue please?
Hi Julia
The trees are included in our newest paper houses post! https://liagriffith.com/papercut-european-houses-trees/
Found it! Thank you!
Hello…what are sheets 6 through 10 that appear black? I do not see these on the PDF instruction pattern sheets.
Thank you!
Hi Pilar,
If you are in design space, sheets 6-10 are the score lines. You need to change each score line from cut to score then attach it to the corresponding cut shape. Take a look at our How to Use SVG Cut Files video here! https://liagriffith.com/how-to-use-svg-files-for-cricut/ This video shows you exactly how to set core lines better than I can tell you here 🙂
Thank you… I will check this out in a few days!
I understand how to get my cricut to cut these files but how do I set it to also score the fold lines at the same time? Can this be done?
Thank you
Hi Susanne,
Yes this can be done! While holding down SHIFT you must select the line you have set to score and the house to cut to select both at the same time, then click attach. You can find instructions where we show this process in design space in our video starting at minute 1:00 https://liagriffith.com/how-to-use-svg-files-for-cricut/
Hi. I am having a devil of a time setting the score lines for the House Luminaries. I can’t find any scissors mentioned in the instructions.
Why aren’t the score lines part of the program?
Can you help?
If you’re using the PDF, the score lines are the thin dotted lines. If you’re using the SVG, the instructions mention the score lines are the thicker black lines that you need to set to “score” in your cutting machine software. I hope that helps!
Thanks. I appreciate your help. The houses are turning out great. My daughter and I really like your site. Again, thank you.
I have a Silhouette portrait machine and when I bring them onto my work space they are to big to fit on the mat. Can I resize them or am I destined to cut them with and exacto knife ?
Thank you
Hi! We’re not familiar with the Silhouette software, but if it’s anything like Cricut’s then you should be able to ungroup/separate the houses so they fit on the size mat you choose. Hopefully Silhouette’s customer service can help you more!
Another great project — I’ve got a thing for paper cut houses — so I mixed these with another project found here – the glitter ones, and the window cling hurricanes — and my dining room sideboard looks beautiful. The only downfall is those dang tea lights are manicure busters. I need to find some remote control ones 🙂
Sounds so beautiful Janice!!
how do I get the score lines to go onto the same mat as the cut lines? right now the design shows as 10 mats and the last 4 are just the score lines? thanks!!
You have to change the lines to “score”, then “attach” them to the cut layer. Check out our post here for more info on using SVG cut files: https://liagriffith.com/how-to-use-svg-files-for-cricut/
Lia,
Just finished my set! Love them! Thank you!
Nancy
That’s great Nancy!
Inspired by Amsterdam and/or Brussels houses?
sending a smile and greetings
Very inspired!! 🙂
If you ever come again to Europe, try to visit Brugge / Bruegge (Belgium). It’s a must, when you like these houses. Or do a Google search for photographs of Brugge / Bruegge houses. You will love them.
Yes! I have visited and they were my inspiration.
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