If you have a chimney or no chimney, Santa’s Magic Key is such a fun idea. This is a fast and easy project sure to please the little ones around the holidays. I wanted to create a printed version without the word chimney as I’ve seen multiple requests. I hope you like it. Let me show you how easy this is!
I created a free .pdf file for those who don’t want to use a cutting machine and can use this file to trace the shape onto pretty or colored paper and even up to #65 cardstock to print on too! In addition, I have an SVG and other file formats in my Resource Library to use for free too.
What is Santa’s Magic Key?
The short answer over the years has been how to answer the age-old question for children who live in a place without a chimney! I honestly do not know when this idea first came about. But what I can say is the first time it was a conversation for me was 15 years ago, back in 2005.
A Funny Story
You see, I have a friend named Yuko who was born and raised in Japan. One of my friends went to work construction in Japan and fell in love with Yuko and brought her back to the states.
One evening while having dinner at Yuko’s we talked about their fireplace being updated by her husband. A beautiful Italian tiled fireplace to die for! I made the comment, “Santa will be proud”. The look on Yuko’s face was priceless! You see, they don’t celebrate in the same way or traditions as we do here, let alone she had never had a fireplace!
We quickly searched the internet as a joke at the moment and low and behold there was an explanation with a cute tag project on a craft site. I honestly don’t remember the name of the site now, years later but I remember thinking how cute!
Over the years, it’s become far more popular as more houses are being built without a fireplace, but perhaps a small pipe stove instead or no fire source at all!
There are many versions over the years to choose from, making it fun to choose and personalize. I read on a craft site that people were asking for a tag without saying, “we have no chimney”. As it turns out family’s who have a fireplace want to enjoy in the fun of a Santa’s Magic Key too!
That is what gave me the inspiration to share this project with you. I hope you have fun making it your own design with the use of pretty papers and ribbons delight!
Supplies
Get Santa’s Magic Key FREE Files
How To Make This Print Then Cut Tag
I prepared my free files so you can easily upload them into Cricut Design Space as an SVG file. This will allow you to decide if you want to print 1 or more tags. (saving ink, yes please!) Just keep in mind the largest printable space on Cricut to print is 9.25 X 6.75″.
Included with my free file is one blank tag slightly bigger than the tag size of the printed one. This will enable you to use any colored or scrapbooking paper you choose to go behind the printed tag.
I prepared and sized the file to print up to 3 tags if you don’t change the size. But feel free to adjust the sizes to meet your needs.
To make this project, you will be “ungrouping” images and then using “flatten” to turn them into a print and then cut.
If you are new to print then cut, the best thing is to watch my easy step-by-step video tutorial below and you will be a pro in no time!
Santa’s Magic Key Tutorial
Santa's Magic Key
Make this fun and easy Santa's Magic Key with this easy step-by-step tutorial!
Materials
- 1 Deer Bottle Opener Key
- 1 65# Card Stock to Print on
- 1 Card Stock solid or pattern (optional)
- Twine or ribbon to tie the project together
Tools
- A way to cut your cardstock such as a Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore or you can cut with scissors
- 1 "light grip or standard grip" cutting mat 12 X 12
Instructions
- STEP 1: GET MY FREE SANTA'S MAGIC KEY SVG OR PDF FILE
- Get my free file in my Resource Library where you can download the SVG or PDF Files (you can get the free password at the bottom of this post) Upload this file to Design Space.
- STEP 2: UNGROUP AND SELECT AND PREPARE FILES
- Ungroup project file and turn off any layers you do not need for this cut (you may only want to make 1 project instead of 3)
- TIP: To turn off a layer click on the "eye" icon in the layers panel. This will turn layers on or off.
- TIP: To group or ungroup layers simply click on a group from your layers panel or the canvas and select "group or ungroup: from the layers panel.
- Select the tag pieces you want to print then click on "Flatten" on the lower right-hand corner.
- This will now be a "Print then Cut" Tag
- If you plan to create more than 1 tag, you may wish to change the color of the bigger tag to help you keep track of what color or design of paper you will be using.
- STEP 3: PRINT AND CUT SANTA'S MAGIC KEY
- Click on "Make It" and click "Continue" to send to Printer
- Click on "Send to Printer" remove bleed and select system dialog if you need to change your printer quality print settings (I do)
- Choose your material (paper) cut settings. I used the Medium Cardstock setting for my #65 cardstock paper.
- Once your tag is printed, place it on your cutting mat and load your mat, and cut.
- Turn the cutting mat upside down to carefully remove the paper while rolling the mat back. (see the video if this is a new process for you)
- (please see the video of any/all details)
- STEP 4: ASSEMBLE SANTA'S MAGIC KEY TAGS
- Cut your ribbon or twine to connect the printed tag and extra tag piece if desired for looks (I like the double tag look)
- Tie the Deer Key along with your tags for a finished and cute Santa's Magic Key!
- STEP 5: ENJOY, SHARE AND GIVE
- Have fun with this easy DIY papercraft. Just imagine the color possibilities and ribbons too!
Video: Santa’s Magic Key
Where Do You Leave Santa’s Magic Key Ideas?
- A door handle is the most common way
- On a plate of goodies for Santa and his Reindeer
- Hanging from Christmas decorations or plants or trees outside
- Make a card for Santa and put the key inside and leave it by the door
- Make a wooden Santa sign with a cup hook to hang the key from
I hope this gives your family some fun tradition’s every year to come!
Reindeer Treat Plate
You can also make this plate and leave the key on the plate too!
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I signed up so I can get the free Santa’s Key SVG. Impossible to actually find it in the resource library to download! Very disappointing. The “link” just keeps taking me back to the same steps. So frustrating….
Hello! Sorry to hear you had a possible tech issue signing up for my resource library. I just tested all the links to the blog post of Santa’s Key and they are all working. I also tested signing up for my resource library just like you would and it let me know what password to use and it also emailed it to me. I then entered the password and was able to successfully log into my resource library and locate the file called “Santa’s Magic Key Files” and clicked on that and it successfully downloaded the file to my computer. Please try again and let me know if you still need assistance. Good Luck and I’m here to help if needed. Thank you for reaching out to me too.
Yep, endless loop… files never come up. UNSUBSCRIBE ME
Hi Heaandgea, Sorry you ran into trouble. Once you subscribe it gives you a password to access my Resource Library where I store all my free files. Simply enter the password, then locate the file and download it. I tested it just in case and it’s working beautifully. Perhaps the email went to your spam folder?