Creating your own Christmas village doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
With a few sheets of cardboard, some paint, glue, and creativity, you can build charming little holiday scenes that look just as magical as store-bought ones.
These 18 DIY cardboard Christmas village display ideas are easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for any space in your home.
1. Simple Cardboard House Village
Cut out small house shapes from sturdy cardboard and fold them into boxes.
Paint them white or pastel colors, add windows with marker outlines, and sprinkle glitter for snow.
Arrange them on a table with faux snow for a minimalist winter village.
2. Layered Cardboard Mountain Village
Create a 3D effect by cutting cardboard into tiered layers that resemble mountains or hills.
Place small houses on each level, decorate with cotton snow, and add LED lights behind them for a glowing mountain-town look.
3. Cardboard Church and Town Square
Design a central piece — like a cardboard church or clock tower — surrounded by smaller houses.
Use gold paint or metallic markers for details, and create a “town square” scene with paper people or mini trees.
4. Painted Cardboard Row Houses
Cut out narrow house fronts and paint them in different pastel colors to mimic a Christmas street.
Glue them side-by-side on a cardboard base, add fairy lights behind, and you’ll have a charming city-block village display.
5. Cardboard Box Village Diorama
Use a large cardboard box as a base.
Cut out windows and doors, paint the inside with a snowy backdrop, and add your mini cardboard houses inside.
It’s like a shadow-box village scene that can sit on any shelf or mantel.
6. Rustic Brown Cardboard Village
Keep it natural by using brown kraft cardboard and white paint for snowy highlights.
This rustic look pairs perfectly with farmhouse Christmas decor and can be accented with pinecones and twine.
7. LED Light-Up Cardboard Houses
Make tiny cardboard houses with cutout windows, and place LED tea lights inside each one.
When the lights shine through, the houses glow beautifully — perfect for tabletops or window sills.
Also Check: 12 Red christmas decor ideas
8. Snowy Cardboard Cottage Display
Create cottage-style homes with pitched roofs using cereal box cardboard.
Paint them in soft winter tones — mint, ivory, and blush — and dust them with glitter or faux snow.
Arrange them on a cake stand for a tiered display.
9. Window Frame Cardboard Village
Use an old window frame or make one from cardboard strips.
Attach flat cardboard house cutouts behind each “pane” to create a window-view village.
Add soft string lights for a dreamy effect.
10. Cardboard Church and Bell Tower Scene
Design a small Christmas chapel using cardboard tubes for towers and triangles for roofs.
Paint it white, add a gold cross or bell detail, and surround it with trees made from green cardstock cones.
11. Layered Mantel Display
Cut different sizes of cardboard houses and mount them on separate flat strips of cardboard to create depth.
Place each layer slightly behind the other on your mantel, and light it from below with string lights for a glowing skyline effect.
12. Cardboard Bakery and Toy Shop Village
Bring your village to life by labeling your cardboard houses — “Bakery,” “Toy Shop,” or “Post Office.”
Use markers or paint pens for signage.
It adds a nostalgic, storybook charm to your handmade setup.
Read More: 12 Classy Christmas Decor Ideas
13. Cardboard Castle Christmas Village
For a whimsical touch, create a cardboard castle centerpiece with small turrets and arched windows.
Surround it with mini cottages and glittery snow — perfect for a fairy-tale Christmas theme.
14. Hanging Cardboard Village Garland
Cut out mini house shapes, paint and decorate them, then string them together with twine to hang across your wall or mantel.
Add tiny LED fairy lights woven through for extra sparkle.
15. Upcycled Cereal Box Village
Recycle cereal boxes into festive village homes.
Cut, fold, and glue them into shapes, then cover them with white paper or wrapping paper.
Add small details with markers — like shutters and doors — for a fun family craft project.
16. Cardboard Train Station Scene
Design a small cardboard train station and railway to run through your village.
Draw the tracks on cardboard, and make a simple train using small rectangular boxes painted red and green.
17. Frosted Window Cardboard Village
Glue a sheet of wax paper behind the windows of your cardboard houses to create a frosted glass look.
Add battery-operated candles inside for a cozy nighttime glow.
18. Tabletop Cardboard Village Display Box
Create a contained Christmas village scene in a shallow cardboard tray.
Paint the base white, add a few cardboard houses, sprinkle snow, and place a mini starry backdrop behind — ideal for small apartments or desks.
Tips for Making Cardboard Christmas Villages
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Use templates: You can easily find printable cardboard house templates online to trace and cut.
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Add texture: Use cotton balls, glitter, or white felt to mimic snow.
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Lighting matters: Always use LED or battery-operated lights — never candles.
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Seal with Mod Podge: A light coat helps preserve and strengthen your cardboard creations.
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Personalize it: Add tiny signs with your family’s names or favorite Christmas sayings for charm.
With a little cardboard, paint, and imagination, you can create a stunning DIY Christmas village that’s both eco-friendly and affordable.
Whether displayed on your mantel, table, or window sill, these 18 easy cardboard Christmas village display ideas will bring a handmade touch of magic to your holiday decor — proving that the best Christmas decorations come from the heart, not the store.
