Washi tape in translucent orange, black, and gold, 1 roll of each
Scissors (adult step for acetate)
Pencil
Hole punch, 5 mm
Gold cord or thin metallic thread, 1.5 m
Simple bat, moon, and pumpkin templates printed on paper, or drawn freehand, each roughly 8-10 cm
Step by Step
Lay an acetate sheet flat. Cover it completely with overlapping strips of washi tape, alternating colours and directions. The strips can overlap messily; that randomness is what creates the stained-glass effect. Press each strip down firmly so no bubbles form.
Flip the taped sheet over and place a paper template on the back. Trace around it lightly with a pencil, then set the template aside. Repeat on fresh areas of the sheet for each shape, using all five sheets to make about 12-15 shapes total.
An adult cuts out each shape with scissors. Acetate is slippery; cutting slowly in one continuous motion gives cleaner edges than short snips.
Punch one hole at the top of each shape, about 5 mm from the edge.
Cut twelve lengths of gold cord, each 12 cm. Fold each length in half, push the loop through a shape's hole, and pull the two ends through the loop to make a lark's head knot. This gives each shape a neat hanging point.
Tie all the shapes onto a main length of gold cord, spacing them roughly 10 cm apart. Hang the garland where light hits it: a window, a glass door, or beside a lamp.
Good to Know
Suits ages 8 and up; an adult cuts the acetate shapes with scissors.