How to Make Nativity Christmas Ornament (Laser DIY)

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

4:30 AM

How to Make Nativity Christmas Ornament (Laser DIY)

The holiday season is the perfect time to create meaningful laser cutter creations that bring faith, beauty, and a heartfelt personal touch to your home.

I used my xTool S1 20W watt laser engraver and 1/8" basswood to make a layered Christmas nativity ornament design—a peaceful silhouette of the Holy Family on the top layer and engraved names for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World on the bottom layer.

It turned out beautifully and makes one of my favorite Christmas ornaments of the year.

This project is simple, fast, and beginner-friendly—great for anyone looking for easy craft ideas, thoughtful gifts, or meaningful additions to your Christmas decor.

If you're part of the xTool community projects, the broader makers community, or browsing laser cutter projects from various platform’s makers, this one is a joy to create.

Let's get started!

This project is simple, fast, and beginner-friendly—great for anyone looking for easy craft ideas, thoughtful gifts, or meaningful additions to your Christmas decor. If you're part of the xTool community projects, the broader makers community, or browsing laser cutter projects from various platform’s makers, this one is a joy to create.

Supplies Needed for Laser Cut Nativity Ornament DIY:

affiliate links

xTool S1 20W or similar watt laser engraver
1/8" basswood sheets
Design files for a laser cut ornaments nativity scene from Creative Fabrica
Plaid Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Pens – Gold (available exclusively at Walmart)
Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
White chiffon ribbon or chiffon bow
Masking tape

(Note: any of the xTool machines can make this ornament, even the xTool M series)

Supplies Needed for Laser Cut Nativity Ornament DIY: affiliate links xTool S1 20W or similar watt laser engraver 1/8" basswood sheets Design files for a laser cut ornaments nativity scene from Creative Fabrica Plaid Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Pens – Gold (available exclusively at Walmart) Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue White chiffon ribbon or chiffon bow Masking tape

Step 1: Prepare Your Files

Start by importing your Christmas nativity ornament design into your preferred laser software.

Adjust the size depending on how large you want your ornament—mine ended up around 3.5 inches, the perfect balance between lightweight and sturdy.

If you're browsing related information or designs from competing platforms, just make sure the file includes:

A cut layer for the nativity silhouette (top layer)

An engraved layer for the names of Christ (bottom layer)

This gives the ornament that beautiful layered depth.

Step 1: Prepare Your Files Start by importing your Christmas nativity ornament design into your preferred laser software. Adjust the size depending on how large you want your ornament—mine ended up around 3.5 inches, the perfect balance between lightweight and sturdy. If you're browsing related information or designs from competing platforms, just make sure the file includes: A cut layer for the nativity silhouette (top layer) An engraved layer for the names of Christ (bottom layer) This gives the ornament that beautiful layered depth.

Step 2: Set Up the Basswood

Place your 1/8" basswood on the honeycomb panel or triangular prisms. I recommend using masking tape to prevent scorch marks and ensure crisp edges.

Before starting the cut, check:

Material thickness settings
Air assist
Proper focus height

The S1 handles basswood smoothly, especially with the 20W module—it’s one of the reasons I love laser cutting with this machine.

Step 2: Set Up the Basswood Place your 1/8" basswood on the honeycomb panel or triangular prisms. I recommend using masking tape to prevent scorch marks and ensure crisp edges. Before starting the cut, check: Material thickness settings Air assist Proper focus height The S1 handles basswood smoothly, especially with the 20W module—it’s one of the reasons I love laser cutting with this machine.

Step 3: Laser Cut + Engrave

Now for the fun part!

Run the engraving first so your design comes out clean and centered. The names of Christ look amazing engraved in basswood—subtle but meaningful.

Next, run the cut for both the top silhouette layer and the bottom engraved layer.

When you remove the pieces, you’ll see why layered laser cutter projects are so satisfying—the depth, detail, and precision make these feel like high-end keepsakes.

Step 3: Laser Cut + Engrave Now for the fun part! Run the engraving first so your design comes out clean and centered. The names of Christ look amazing engraved in basswood—subtle but meaningful. Next, run the cut for both the top silhouette layer and the bottom engraved layer. When you remove the pieces, you’ll see why layered laser cutter projects are so satisfying—the depth, detail, and precision make these feel like high-end keepsakes.

Step 4: Painting the Top Layer Gold

Using Plaid’s new Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Pens, color the nativity silhouette layer in gold.

These paint pens glide beautifully over wood and make a perfect soft metallic finish. They dry quickly and don’t bleed, making them ideal for intricate laser cut ornaments.

Let the layer dry completely before gluing.

Step 4: Painting the Top Layer Gold Using Plaid’s new Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Pens, color the nativity silhouette layer in gold. These paint pens glide beautifully over wood and make a perfect soft metallic finish. They dry quickly and don’t bleed, making them ideal for intricate laser cut ornaments. Let the layer dry completely before gluing.

Step 5: Assemble the Ornament

Use Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue to attach the gold-painted top layer to the engraved bottom layer.

A thin line of glue around the edges is all you need—this glue dries clear and holds tight.

Press the layers together gently and let the ornament sit for several minutes.

This step is where you’ll see the ornament come alive: rich engraving underneath and a warm golden nativity scene above.

Step 5: Assemble the Ornament Use Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue to attach the gold-painted top layer to the engraved bottom layer. A thin line of glue around the edges is all you need—this glue dries clear and holds tight. Press the layers together gently and let the ornament sit for several minutes. This step is where you’ll see the ornament come alive: rich engraving underneath and a warm golden nativity scene above.

Step 6: Add the Chiffon Bow

Tie a little white chiffon bow and glue or thread it through the top hole of your ornament.

The softness of the chiffon adds a sweet, elegant finish that complements the gold beautifully.

Now it’s ready to hang!

Step 6: Add the Chiffon Bow Tie a little white chiffon bow and glue or thread it through the top hole of your ornament. The softness of the chiffon adds a sweet, elegant finish that complements the gold beautifully. Now it’s ready to hang!

Why This Project Is Special

This ornament represents the heart of the Christmas season—peace, gratitude, and the birth of Christ. It’s the kind of project shared lovingly within the makers community hands, where creativity connects people.

Working with a small team of creators online, inside the xTool community projects, and across platform’s makers, projects like this help inspire others and remind us why crafting matters.

Whether you're crafting for your family, selling at markets, creating gifts, or posting tutorials to help others, these simple wooden ornaments hold so much meaning.

Why This Project Is Special This ornament represents the heart of the Christmas season—peace, gratitude, and the birth of Christ. It’s the kind of project shared lovingly within the makers community hands, where creativity connects people. Working with a small team of creators online, inside the xTool community projects, and across platform’s makers, projects like this help inspire others and remind us why crafting matters. Whether you're crafting for your family, selling at markets, creating gifts, or posting tutorials to help others, these simple wooden ornaments hold so much meaning.

That's it!

This nativity ornament is one of my favorite laser cutter creations to date. It’s beautiful, fast to make, and requires minimal supplies—perfect for gifting, craft fairs, or simply enjoying on your tree.

Thank you for supporting my work, for reading, and for being part of my creative world. If you want more projects like this, check out other laser cutter projects, join your favorite maker communities, and explore all the inspiration shared across competing platforms and blogs.

Have a blessed holiday season and Merry Christmas—and happy crafting with your xTool!