2012 has been a great year for 3D printing; the tech sites are going gaga for it, sites like Thingiverse and Shapeways have continued to grow, Pirate Bay launched their Physibles category, Staples are about to launch the first chain 3D printing service and even negative press regarding gun control and copyright has got more people talking about potentials.
With 2013 looking to continue the trend, what better time than the end of the year to talk about some of the interesting Christmas items, decorations and gifts printable for the festive season.
3D Printed Advert Calendar Pt. 1
Thingiverse user Peter Leppik has put a new spin on the advent calendar this year. Rather than cardboard windows hiding cheap chocolate, how about a print a day instead?
Each day Leppik is uploading a new design to his advent calendar for 3D printer owners to make themselves at home. At the time of writing Leppik is up to day 10, with the whole thing to eventually piece together as a Christmas tree jigsaw puzzle…
3D Printed Advent Calendar Pt. 2
Of course, Leppik’s creation doesn’t spell the end for the sugary advent calendar when you can print with Chocolate too. Last year London-based PR and branding company Moving Brands used a RepRap to 3D print a chocolate a day in the buildup to Christmas, each one designed by a different member of staff.
Customised Baubles
Shapeways user Charles Nuttall has uploaded a collection of six customisable tree decorations for Christmas, allowing you to turn any photograph into Santa, an elf, a reindeer, a snowman, an angel or a Christmas pudding. The prints are in full-colour sandstone and start from €19.41 per bauble.
Christmas tree USB holder
Perhaps the most unique Christmas-related 3D print from Materialise is the i-Christmas Tree; a tree shaped USB and SD drive holder. The item is printed using Polymide and measures just over 7cm long.
Seen anything else Christmas related that’s came from a 3D Printer recently? Let us know in the comments section.