Quick answer: A paint by numbers Christmas Light is a small acrylic panel (15 × 20 cm) printed with a numbered holiday design, which you paint like any other kit and then slot into an LED base. When the light is switched on, it glows through the painted panel from below, and the picture lights up. It takes an evening or two to paint, needs no painting experience, and makes an unusually good gift because nobody expects a painting to switch on. The designs are Christmas scenes: Santa, reindeer, snowmen, trees and greetings.
Most paint by numbers ends on a wall. This one ends on a windowsill, a mantelpiece or a bedside table, glowing. It is a different kind of project — smaller, quicker, and with a moment at the end when you flick the switch that a canvas never gives you. Here is how it works, what to expect, and how to get the best glow.
What you will find in this guide
What is in the box
Each Christmas Light kit contains a clear acrylic panel, 15 × 20 cm, printed with the numbered design; numbered acrylic paints matched to the design; brushes; and the LED lamp base the panel slots into. The panel is rigid, so there is no rolling or creasing to deal with, and it is small enough to paint on a lap tray.
How the light works
The base holds a row of LEDs along the bottom edge of the panel. Light enters the edge of the acrylic and travels through it; wherever there is paint on the surface, the light catches and the color glows from within. Unpainted areas stay clear. The effect is like a stained-glass window lit from behind, except the light comes from the edge, which is why the panel can sit on a table rather than hang in a window.
This is also why the painting matters more than usual: the paint is what the light illuminates. A well-covered section glows evenly; a thin, streaky one glows unevenly.
Painting a panel: how it differs from canvas
The numbers and technique are the same as any kit, with a few differences worth knowing before you start.
- The surface is smooth. Acrylic panel does not have the tooth of canvas, so paint sits on top rather than soaking in. Use thin coats and let each dry fully; thick paint can peel from a smooth surface.
- Two coats, always. Because the light shines through, thin patches show as bright spots. Two even coats on every section give a consistent glow.
- Handle it by the edges. Fingerprints on clear acrylic show up when the light is on. Wipe the panel with a soft, dry cloth before you start and avoid touching the front.
- Paint on a dark surface. Lay a dark cloth or sheet of paper under the clear panel while painting; the numbers are far easier to read against a dark background than a white table.
- Leave the unpainted areas unpainted. Clear areas are part of the design. They stay dark when lit, which is what makes the painted parts stand out.
A panel takes most people two to four hours — an evening or two — which makes it a good project for the run-up to the holidays, or for the quiet days between Christmas and New Year.
Getting the best glow
- Even coverage is everything. Hold the panel up to a lamp between coats; any bright pinholes need another pass.
- Do not varnish the painted side unless you want a glossy look under the light. Matte finishes glow more softly; gloss glows more sharply. Try it unvarnished first.
- Clean the panel edge that slots into the base. Paint or dust on the bottom edge blocks the light from entering.
- Display against a dark wall or in a dim corner. The glow reads best when the room is not bright.
The designs
The Christmas Light collection is built around the classic scenes: Santa Claus on his own, Santa with reindeer and a snowman, Santa and reindeer with a tree, a decorated Christmas tree, and a Merry Christmas greeting. All are bright, cheerful and simple enough for a child to paint with an adult nearby. The tree and greeting designs are the quickest; the scenes with several figures take a little longer and glow with more colors.
Why it makes such a good gift
A canvas kit is a gift of hours. A Christmas Light is a gift of hours and a decoration that comes out again every December, and it is finished before the holidays are over rather than after. It suits people who would not sit through a thirty-hour canvas, children painting alongside a grandparent, and anyone who likes something on the windowsill that is theirs. For more ideas, see our gift guide.
If you are giving it to be painted before Christmas, give it early in December. If you are giving it on the day, it becomes the project for the quiet week after.
Care and storage after the holidays
Dust the panel with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use glass cleaner or anything damp on the painted side. To store, lift the panel out of the base, wrap it in tissue or a soft cloth so nothing rubs the paint, and keep it flat in a box somewhere cool. Stored this way it comes out looking new each year.
Frequently asked questions
What is a paint by numbers Christmas Light?
A small clear acrylic panel (15 × 20 cm) printed with a numbered holiday design, which you paint and then slot into an LED base. The light travels through the panel and makes the painted areas glow.
How long does it take to paint?
Two to four hours for most people — an evening or two. It is one of the quickest kits in the shop.
Do I need painting experience?
No. The panel is numbered and the paints are matched, exactly like a canvas kit. Children can paint one with an adult nearby.
Why does part of my panel glow unevenly?
Thin or patchy paint. Hold the panel up to a lamp and add a second coat wherever light shows through as bright spots. Also check that the bottom edge of the panel is clean where it enters the base.
Can I varnish it?
You can, but try it unvarnished first. Varnish changes how the light catches the paint: gloss makes the glow sharper, matte softer.
Is it only for Christmas?
The current designs are all holiday scenes, but a finished panel makes a gentle night light in a hallway or a child's room all year.
Light one up this year
Browse the full Christmas Light collection, and if you are decorating for the season, our Christmas and winter canvases, painting advent calendars and ornaments are made for the same evenings. For the cosiest results, a set of mini paintings alongside a Christmas Light fills a whole windowsill.
