Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY
How cute is this Wooden Christmas Tree Craft?
If you are looking to add some charm to your home this holiday season, this Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY is a perfect project to bring the spirit of the season into your home. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just starting out, this wooden Christmas tree craft is a great way to create personalized, homemade Christmas decorations and I’ll show you how easy it is!
By the end of this post, you’ll have a beautiful set of DIY wooden trees that can transform your home into a festive wonderland! Warning though, your friends and fam are going to you to make them one too! ha
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Why This is a Great Christmas Craft for Any Skill Level
This easy Christmas craft is perfect for all skill levels and ages. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, these wooden trees are simple to customize. The materials are easy to work with, and most items can be found at your local craft store or even at the dollar store, making it a budget-friendly option.
Now, sand the edges gently to make the edge look more crisp. You can do a long pass with your sandpaper to create a distressed look and reveal the wood underneath for a rustic effect. Be careful not to sand too hard, or the paper might lift.
You can even get the whole family involved in making these trees. Kids will love adding paper snowflakes, candy canes, and own ornaments to the mix. It’s a fun and creative way to spend time together during the festive season while creating beautiful Christmas decorations that you’ll cherish year after year.
Supplies You’ll Need:
Before we jump into the step-by-step instructions for these wooden Christmas tree craft, here’s what you’ll need to gather:
I have a list in my Amazon shop for this project HERE. You might also enjoy my Crafts Under $10 list here.
- Wooden tree cutouts (Amazon)
- Waverly Chalk Paint (white)
- Mod Podge (or Elmer’s glue)
- Scrapbook paper (I used Echo Park) or any decorative paper, card stock, tissue paper, napkins, or wrapping paper would also be fun.
- I used card stock (heavier paper) but I think it would be easier with a lighter weight paper.
- Foam brush for Mod Podge
- X-Acto Knife
- Scissors
- Sanding block
- Wooden beads
- Twine (any color or texture to coordinate your paper)
- Brayer or credit card/gift card (to smooth out bubbles)
- Hot glue gun for embellishments
Embellishment Supply Ideas:
Here are a few ideas of embellishments you can use to decorate the trees. You DON’T need them all but a few to add accents if you want. (optional)
- Jingle bells
- Faux berries
- Faux Greenery to match paper
- Ribbon or twine for bows
- Embellishments like citrus slices, pine cones, or candy canes are cute too. Usually in the floral pick section at your craft store.
- Cinnamon sticks
- Colorful beads or paint them (shown in the video)
- Fairy lights (this is cute as a table setting for decoration purposes)
Step-by-Step Guide for wooden Christmas tree craft
I had so much fun making this Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY and it would be perfect to make with kids; or create a lot of them for gifts or to sell them. These little trees make the best Christmas decorations and are fun to make, too!
NOTE: If you use winter paper they would be good decor through out winter and not just Christmas.
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I made these trees on a Facebook live, you can catch the replay on my YouTube here. You can also join our Creative Little Christmas Facebook group to watch the other free workshops.
1. Prepare Your Trees:
Start by choosing the size of the pre-cut wooden trees that best suits your Christmas decoration ideas and paper sizes. The set I used has a lot of sizes, you can make a set of 2 or do all the sizes to match. You can use a mix of smaller trees for tabletops or go with larger trees to create a mantle Christmas decoration setting.
Cover your workspace, we are about to get messing. Use a Glassboard like I have (get 20% off here), or lay down some newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to protect your workspace.
2. Painting Your Trees:
Apply a base coat of paint to the sides. You don’t need to paint where the paper will cover. I love Waverly Chalk paint but a metallic paint will add a pop of color, perfect for a festive feel, but you can also go with traditional greens, whites, or reds to match your holiday décor. Get creative here!
If you want a rustic look, a simple way to achieve that is by distressing the chalk paint or leaving the natural wood exposed. Also using a varnish color is cute too.
TIP: What grit (number) of sandpaper should you use? I’d go with a 150 to 220 grit: Very fine sandpaper used for producing ultra-smooth surfaces on wood.
3. Apply the Paper:
Choose a decorative paper for the front of each tree. If the paper has a large pattern, hold the tree up to the light behind the paper to center the design before tracing. This helps you place the patter of the paper on the tree so you can see the tree.
Once traced, cut the paper slightly inside the line you traced to ensure it fits the tree properly. I used scissors for this.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the tree using a foam brush. Carefully place the cut paper on the tree and smooth it with a brayer or credit card to remove any bubbles. Let dry (your glue/mod Podge says on the bottle how long it needs).
4. Trimming and Sanding:
Once the Mod Podge is dry, use an X-Acto knife to trim any excess paper from the edges of the tree. This doesn’t need to be perfect as we’ll use sandpaper on the edges.
Quick TIP: When working with an X-Acto knife, safety should always be a top priority to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth crafting experience. First, always work on a sturdy, flat surface, using a self-healing cutting mat to protect your workspace and prevent the blade from slipping. Hold the knife firmly but comfortably, and make controlled, steady cuts rather than applying excessive force, which could cause the blade to jump or snap. Always cut away from your body, keeping your free hand at a safe distance. When not in use, cover the blade with its protective cap and store it in a safe place. Finally, replace dull blades promptly, as a sharp blade ensures cleaner cuts and reduces the risk of slipping, making it safer to handle.
5. Sealing:
After sanding, use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any wood dust or paper shavings. Now apply another thin layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal the paper. This protects the decoration when storing your trees after the holidays.
6. Adding Embellishments:
Once your paint has dried, it’s time to decorate! Use your hot glue gun to attach cinnamon sticks, pine cones, or faux berries.
You can even add little sprigs of holiday garland to create a lush, layered effect.
If you want a more playful look, attach some candy canes, colorful ornaments, or even jingle bells for extra flair. Get creative and cut out star shapes from card stock for the top.I used wooden snowflakes for my first set.
Decorating with Beads:
Paint wooden beads using a fun, quick trick: place the beads in a small plastic bag with a few dabs of metallic paint. Roll the beads around in the bag until they are evenly coated. Let them dry by sticking them on toothpicks or a makeshift stand like a egg carton or Styrofoam cup. I forgot about mine and left them in the bag, they turned out fine!
Adding Twine:
Use twine to add bows or wrap around the trees for added texture. You can use metallic, colored, or bakers twine depending on your color scheme.
If your shelf is narrow, you may want to keep the decoration minimal, like a simple bow or knot.
For an extra festive look, consider incorporating some citrus slices into your design. Dried orange or lemon slices add a touch of nature and pair well with pine cones and faux berries. Once everything is in place, you’ll have your own homemade Christmas decorations to brighten your home during the holiday season.
Additional Tips:
- Paper Choices: If you’re using patterned paper with large designs (like snowflakes), be mindful of where the pattern falls on the tree. You can hold the paper up to the light and position the tree for the best placement before cutting.
- Tissue Paper/Napkin Technique: For a unique look, consider using tissue paper, napkins, or wrapping paper. One fun technique involves using a napkin and lighting the edges (carefully!) to get a crisp, self-extinguishing border. Only try this if you’re comfortable with fire safety techniques like “stop, drop, and roll.” (but for real, it works, but just be careful with fire please.)
- Cardboard Templates: If you’re working with smaller trees or complex patterns, tracing and cutting the paper on cardboard first can give you more control over placement before attaching it to the wood.
This DIY project is simple and customizable, perfect for anyone looking to create holiday or winter-themed home decor.
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Incorporating Your Wooden Trees into Different Décor Styles
The beauty of this craft is its versatility. Whether your home decor leans toward modern, rustic, or traditional, these wooden trees can fit seamlessly into your design.
I think this is why they are fun to make as gifts or to sell. You can do any of these themes for your Christmas wooden trees and make a set to match. It’s a great way to use up supplies and get creative!
- Rustic: Pair your trees with mason jars filled with small pine cones and add cinnamon sticks or dried citrus slices as decorations to give your room a warm, country feel.
- Modern: If you prefer a sleek, modern look, stick with metallic paint in silver or gold, and use a minimalist approach when adding embellishments like faux berries or jingle bells on a pretty placemat that coordinates (the dollar store usually has some cute ones each year).
- Traditional: For a more classic feel, opt for trees in traditional Christmas colors—red, green, and white. Layer on big bows, add some beautiful wreaths, and complement the design with easy wreath projects around the house.
- Farmhouse: You can use recycled accents and make them a farmhouse feel with simple pattern paper or paint.
How to Use These Wooden Trees in Your Holiday Decorations
These DIY wooden trees can easily fit into any room in your home. They for sure look cute on a shelf as decor but what else can you do with them?
They are perfect for table settings with fairy lights in the dining room for a warm and festive atmosphere. You can also place them on mantels, side tables in the living room, or front door entryways to welcome guests with holiday cheer. Here are few more ideas to use your new cute wooden Christmas trees:
- Table Centerpieces: Arrange a few wooden trees as the focal point on your dining table. Add some glass canisters filled with mini Christmas bulbs and festive ornaments to complete the look.
- Mantel Display: For a creative way to decorate your mantel, layer your trees at different heights, adding some beautiful garlands and holiday ribbon for a fuller, more dynamic design. Again, some simple lights with batteries here is a fun touch,
- DIY Christmas Ornaments: Make the smaller trees to use as ornaments on your Christmas tree. Or maybe you have a huge tree, using all the sizes would be fun too!
Don’t forget to check out our other Christmas crafts on the blog for more inspiration, like using mason and glass jars to make tea lights for holiday home decor or adding a festive feel to your home with paper snowflakes and easy wreath projects.
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Fun Ways to Embellish Your Wooden Trees
Embellishments can make a huge difference in the final look of your DIY projects. When decorating your wooden Christmas trees, consider using a mix of natural elements, shiny objects, and festive colors to give them a personal touch.
- Natural Elements: Using citrus slices, pine cones, little birch branches, and cinnamon sticks gives your trees a rustic and homemade feel. These items are readily available and inexpensive, making them a good use of materials you may already have at home. Plus, the aroma of dried citrus and cinnamon will fill your home with a warm holiday scent.
- Merry and bright: Adding metallic paint, glitter paint, jingle bells, or colorful ornaments can give your trees a more elegant and eye-catching design. The reflective surfaces will catch the light from your holiday décor, adding a bit of sparkle to your room.
- Handmade Touches: Try using leftover wrapping paper to cut out stars or circles that you can layer onto your trees. This is a better way to add color and pattern to your craft, without spending extra money. You can also use card stock to create your own decorations like miniature stars or festive ornaments (from scraps of paper or vinyl).
More Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY Ideas
If you’re looking for even more ways to bring the holiday spirit into your home, check out some of our other DIY projects on the blog. We’ve got a whole selection of Christmas gift ideas, holiday decoration ideas, including beautiful wreaths, holiday garland, and easy DIY Christmas decorations.
One of our favorite ideas is using embroidery hoops to create unique, personalized holiday pieces that you can hang around the house.
Additionally, you can find digital files for more Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY projects, so you can continue crafting and adding a personal touch to your holiday décor.
Bringing It All Together for a Merry Christmas
With this Easy Christmas Home Decor DIY, you can quickly and affordably add a personal touch to your holiday decorations. These wooden trees are a great way to showcase your DIY skills while spreading holiday cheer throughout your home. Whether you choose to make them a focal point in your dining room or scatter them throughout your living space, these handmade decorations will make your home feel warm and festive.
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So grab your supplies, get creative, and enjoy the process of making your own beautiful Christmas decorations. And remember, there’s no right or wrong way to decorate—just have fun and let the holiday spirit guide you!
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