The Christmas Kit is a very different kind of computer program from the ’80s. It allowed you to decorate and print paper models of a Dickens Christmas Village, a Christmas Train, and several different three-dimensional paper ornaments and gift packages. I have collected the original full-color Apple IIgs model parts here, to share them with the paper modeling community. Now you can download, print and build your very own Christmas Kit scenes with any PC or Mac! For more paper modeling with computers of yore, see my Toy Shop page!
(Skip the chatter! Take me to the models!)
While doing research for my Toy Shop blog, I discovered the existence of another software package for the Commodore 64 called “Paper Models – The Christmas Kit.” Created by Carol and Ivan Manley, this intriguing program allows you to decorate and print three-dimensional card models of a Christmas train and a Dickens Christmas village, as well as paper ornaments, decorations, and gift boxes, using clip art and fill patterns.
The Christmas Kit contains several templates, designed to be loaded into a paint program to be decorated using fill patterns and clip art, or by drawing your own artwork directly on the templates. The Apple IIgs version is pre-decorated and in full color, while the C64 version is in black and white. The IIgs version was likely the only color version of this software, and it has surprising quality of detail for an early computer! I have collected the full-color IIgs patterns to share below.
Also below I offer the Decorator’s Guide, which includes assembly instructions, tips and ideas. Additionally, I am sharing a disk image of Paper Models – The Christmas Kit for use in an Apple IIgs emulator for anyone who might want to play with the software in its original environment.
Update: I recently was given the opportunity to see the C64 version in action. It is essentially the same patterns, just in black and white. I also found a version of the C64 software online, and offer a link below. Incidentally, based on the list from the package, this program was released for: IBM PC, PCjr., Tandy 1000, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Apple Macintosh, and the Commodore 64.
Paper Models – The Christmas Kit Download Section
Click Here for the Decorator’s Guide and Model Parts – A zip archive containing bitmaps of all the ornaments and model parts in full color, and scans of the complete manual. The model parts can easily be repainted with any image-editing software on your PC or Mac, then print them directly on card stock! (This link will open a MediaFire download window, and may also open a MediaFire advertisement window, which is how they can offer file sharing for free.)
And for the curious side in you:
Click Here for the Christmas Kit Virtual Disk Image – a virtual disk image for use with an Apple IIgs emulator or a real IIgs. Requires Paintworks Plus. (The emulator here is for Mac users, but if you are a Windows user and if you can actually find a working Apple IIgs emulator for Windows, you should be able to use the Read Me files, the Paintworks Plus file, and the Paper Models disk image file.)
If you’d like to try it in a Commodore emulator, it can be found at CSDb’s website: Click Here
However, the printout files will probably be printer codes which will need to be converted, as I did on my Toy Shop page. You could also try to screen-grab the images. One day I’d like to look into this, but I have too much on my plate at the moment!
Note: I’ve made most of these models myself, and I’ve found that the Holiday Train is a little complicated, and the manual doesn’t explain how to put it together at all. There’s an exploded-view diagram in the manual but it doesn’t really help much, so at some point I’ll post some pictures at the bottom of this blog that will help anyone who is lost. I’ve also discovered that the models with large flat surfaces, such as the houses, are much sturdier if printed in miniature, say 75-50 percent of original size.
Want to share?
If you’ve made some of these models and want to share your handiwork, I’d be happy to post them here! Just leave a comment with your email below and I’ll contact you. (Your email won’t show because I moderate all comments.) If you have problems, suggestions or want to report a broken link, please also leave a comment.
Happy Holidays!
Michael & Lacey
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Visit Michael and Lacey’s other sites!
– The Toy Shop – 20 Marvelous Mechanical Models That Really Work! – Twenty paper models and automata that you can decorate and print, from the original Commodore 64 program! Also a Snooper Troops SnoopMobile model can be found here!
– Commodore 64 Logo, Computereyes, Odell Woods, and more – Some random stuff, including Commodore 64 Terrapin Logo programming software, Odell Lake and Odell Woods, Star Wars stuff, and more.
– Halloween 2007 – The Headless Horseman comes to visit!
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A note about copyright: To the best of my knowledge, the images I am sharing here are no longer protected. As the software is no longer being made, the computers have been discontinued, and no modern equivalent software exists as far as I know, I hope any concerned parties will see this effort as I do: This page is dedicated to preserving and showcasing a wonderful project that should not be lost and forgotten!
Paper Models - The Christmas Kit 