Living in an apartment or rental with no fireplace? Give Santa a way to get in with this DIY craft.
There are countless ways to make this project, but here is what I did. I also put alternative materials below, so you can use what makes most sense for you!
Step 1: You will need to cut 2 of the trifold boards in half down the middle. Close the board and start cutting right down the center, so you have two folded halves.
Step 2: The remaining trifold board needs to be left as is and will be the center of the chimney (see #1 in the image). Using the image below as a guide, position one of the cut pieces and the uncut trifold boards against the wall.
Step 3: Measure the length across the 3 pieces that are standing up. Mine was 37” across. Measure how tall your remaining trifold board is. Mine was 27”.
Next, create the top of your fireplace using the 2 halves of the trifold board. You are going to use the remaining 17” (overage since you only need 37” for the top part) to create the sides. 17/2 is 8.5 for each side. I just did 8” so there was some wiggle room when connecting the boards together.
Step 4: Measure 8 or 8.5” in on one side of the folded trifold board and cut that piece out. Do that on both pieces of remaining trifold board so you can create the top and sides of the fireplace.
Step 5: Cover the exposed sides of each piece in black poster board (or paint them). I used black paper since I made this in the winter and it was too cold to spray paint outside. This was the most time-consuming part of the project, since I had to measure and the cut black paper perfectly, so it would fit. I then taped the pieces to the boards and assembled them like so.
Step 6: Once you have covered all the pieces, you can start assembling. I taped all the bottom pieces together first, and then taped the top ones last, one side at a time.
I taped the outside at first, then realized it was better to tape the inside instead, for more support. You won’t be able to see the tape once you put the ‘bricks’ on though, so don’t worry.
Step 7: Time to make the bricks. I used drawing paper, but you can use printer paper or poster board or any other kind of paper you want. I chose white, but you can use any color you want.
I used an iPhone 4 to trace the bricks because it was exactly the size and shape I was going for. You can use sponges, Altoid boxes, or anything else you have lying around your house that is somewhat brick shaped. I traced the phone and then cut bricks out in layers.
Step 8: Tape (or glue) them to the fireplace. I offset the second row so they weren’t all lined up. Some rows will need shorter bricks. I just cut those by hand.
Step 9: Decorate! I bought some garland, a Christmas tree décor piece, a bell, and some stockings to jazz up this fireplace. You can use any sort of Christmas décor you have laying around the house as well. Be creative!
Now jolly old Saint Nick has a way to get into your house and leave the kids presents this Christmas.
Looking for more craft ideas? Check out: Christmas Tree Ornaments, Santa Hand Print Ornament, Cute As A Button Snowflake Ornament. We also have some great ideas on a few new traditions you and your family could start this year here.