10 Winter-Themed CNC Projects to Make This Season
Keep the shop humming after the holidays—carve cozy décor, functional pieces, and small gifts on your TwoTrees CNC.
Create All Winter Long—with CNC Precision
Winter is perfect for indoor making. A CNC router lets you batch snowflake décor, engrave cozy quotes, and even carve 3D mountain scenes. TwoTrees routers—TTC 450 Pro, TTC 450 Ultra, and TTC 6050—cover everything from small ornaments to large panels and trays.
10 Winter-Themed CNC Project Ideas
For each idea: materials · bits/toolpaths · difficulty · bonus tip
1) Layered Snowflake Wall Art
Cut multiple snowflake layers in contrasting woods or painted MDF. Stack with small spacers for dimensional depth.
- Materials: 3–4 mm birch ply or MDF; optional acrylic accent
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/8" downcut for clean profiles; tabs + contour pass
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bonus tip: Spray each layer before assembly for crisp color separation (white, ice blue, silver).
2) Engraved Hot Cocoa Tray
A shallow serving tray engraved with winter motifs or a family name—great for movie nights and snow days.
- Materials: Maple, walnut; metal handles
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/4" flat for pocket; V-bit for text; roundover edges
- Difficulty: Easy–Intermediate
- Bonus tip: Add cork feet and a wipeable finish for durability.
3) 3D Carved Mountain Scene
Relief carving of snowy peaks—frame it or inset into a tray. A classy winter art piece that sells well.
- Materials: Basswood, walnut, or HDU for painted finishes
- Bits/Toolpaths: Rough 1/4" flat; finish 3–6 mm ball-nose; 6–10% stepover
- Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
- Bonus tip: Use a pencil finish pass to minimize sanding in fine contours.
4) “Let It Snow” V-Carved Sign
Clean V-lettering with a snowflake border. Fast to produce, easy to paint-fill, and perfect for entryways.
- Materials: Pine, cedar, or reclaimed barnwood
- Bits/Toolpaths: 60°/90° V-bit for text; 1/4" end mill to profile; keyhole on back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bonus tip: Seal before paint-fill to prevent bleed; scuff-sand after cure.
5) Snowflake Coasters (Batch-Friendly)
Simple, giftable sets with etched patterns or inlaid snowflakes. Quick cycles and easy shipping.
- Materials: Bamboo, maple, or cork
- Bits/Toolpaths: V-bit for engraving; 1/8" downcut to profile; roundover edges
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bonus tip: Offer a matching coaster holder to increase perceived value.
6) Wooden Candle Lanterns
Slot-together lantern panels with snowflake cutouts. Add a glass or LED insert for cozy winter light.
- Materials: 3–4 mm birch ply; glass/LED insert
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/8" downcut; tabs; dog-bone fillets for finger joints
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Bonus tip: Seal interior faces before assembly for longer life.
7) Ski Lodge Door or Shelf Sign
Rustic lettering with a mountain or ski icon. Perfect for cabins and winter rentals.
- Materials: Cedar, pine, or reclaimed wood
- Bits/Toolpaths: V-carve text; 1/4" profile; distressed paint/stain finish
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bonus tip: Offer custom location coordinates or elevation as an upsell.
8) Winter Forest Silhouette Panel (Layered)
Stacked layers of trees and hills create depth; add an acrylic moon for contrast.
- Materials: 3–6 mm plywood; white/clear acrylic disc
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/8" downcut; shallow pockets for alignment
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Bonus tip: Backlight with LED strip for a subtle glow.
9) Carved Serving Board with Pines
A functional board with pocketed tree icons or a V-carved border. Works as décor between uses.
- Materials: Maple, cherry, walnut
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/4" pocket; V-bit details; roundover edges
- Difficulty: Easy–Intermediate
- Bonus tip: Finish with food-safe oil and include a care card.
10) Snowflake Earrings or Keychains (Small-Scale)
Quick-cut accessories you can sell in sets. Add initials or a tiny date stamp.
- Materials: 2–3 mm hardwood or acrylic
- Bits/Toolpaths: 1/16"–1/8" downcut for delicate shapes; small chamfer
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bonus tip: Use a simple jig to hold blanks for repeat engraving.
Recommended TwoTrees Machines & Bits
TTC 450 Pro
Compact and budget-friendly—ideal for coasters, signs, and small accessories.
TTC 450 Ultra
Rigid and precise—great for layered art and light 3D relief carving.
Bits & Add-Ons
- V-bits (60°/90°): Lettering and snowflake linework
- Downcut end mills (1/16"–1/4"): Clean edges on plywood/acrylic
- Ball-nose / tapered ball: Smooth 3D mountain/forest reliefs
- Chamfer / roundover: Professional edges on trays and panels
- Laser option: Add crisp graphics with the TC20 Laser Module
Always test toolpaths on scrap; plywood brands and grain direction affect cut quality.
Finishing & Styling Tips
- Frosted palette: Whitewash, light blue, and silver leaf bring a wintry vibe.
- Mixed materials: Pair wood layers with clear or frosted acrylic accents.
- Backlighting: Integrate LED channels for warm, cozy ambience.
- Protection: Seal or wax surfaces; use food-safe finishes for boards and trays.
Top Sellable Winter Items
- Market-ready: Snowflake coasters, earrings/keychains, “Let It Snow” signs, lanterns.
- Personalization: Add names, coordinates, or quotes to increase AOV.
- Batching: Nest parts and standardize thickness to minimize tool changes.
- Photography: Neutral backgrounds, soft winter props, and lifestyle shots for Etsy.
Warm Up the Workshop with Winter Projects
Choose your machine and start carving:
- TTC 450 Pro — compact and beginner-friendly.
- TTC 450 Ultra — precision for layered art and reliefs.
- TTC 6050 — room for big panels and batching.
- TC20 Laser Module — add engraving to your router.
FAQ
What file types should I use?
SVG/DXF for 2D profiles and V-carving; STL/OBJ for 3D reliefs. Most CAM tools import these formats easily.
Which TwoTrees machine should I pick for winter projects?
TTC 450 Pro for small décor, TTC 450 Ultra for layered/relief work, and TTC 6050 for large trays and panels.
Can I combine CNC routing with laser engraving?
Yes—route shapes and pockets on your CNC, then add fine text or patterns using the TC20 Laser Module for crisp details.
