Kim Barber doesn’t mind when her Orange County, CA, yard gets a little busy with neighbors—and strangers—posing for photos in front of her holiday displays. She considers it a compliment that the silhouettes—backlit with clear Christmas string lights—become backdrops for family photos and social media posts. “They have such a magical feel,” she says. “I just want to share them with everybody.” The displays are a spin on lit paper-cut shadow boxes. Kim (@barberellahome on Instagram) scaled up the idea; some of her trees top 9 feet, and her village spans 16 feet. She creates the designs on a tablet then traces them onto plywood. Now comfortable with power tools, she finds it relaxing to maneuver a router on large sheets of wood to cut the shapes. “You get in the zone and it’s enjoyable,” she says. The only downside of her scenic success? “The pressure is definitely on to up my game every year.”
Less than 5 hours for one deer; more for complex shapes
About $60 in plywood for two deer and a 7-foot tree
Basic woodworking, including proficiency with a router
by JODY GARLOCK photos KIM BARBER