These days, one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the tree. Ever since Prince Albert famously popularised it here in Britain, a home just isn’t festive enough without a spruce with presents underneath.
1. Simple circles
This cute little tree is super easy to make. Create green card discs, decreasing in size and decorate with punched circles. Make holes in their centres and thread onto a skewer. Finish by placing the bottom in a small card box and sticking a star to the top. Find more lovely projects like this on Crafts Beautiful's website here
2. Snowy spruces
Turn doilies into beautiful snowy trees! Or if you don't have any doilies, why not cut a paper circle and die cut or punch a design into it? These are quick and easy to make and result in fab, eye-catching decs for a winter party
3. Concertina conifers
Learn how to make these concertina-folded trees using the handy video guide found here. They're much easier to make than you might think and look great sitting on saucers or inside bell jars!
4. Round rosettes
Cut coloured papers into 10cm x 30cm strips and score each one at 5mm intervals across the length. Snip each strip into different lengths, ranging from 1.5cm to 3cm. Fold each one along the score lines into a concertina pattern, then glue the ends together to make a ring. Flatten to make a rosette. Scatter across a triangular piece of card and add buttons to their tops.
5. Round ribbons
This cute crafty Christmas tree is made using loops of ribbon, attached to a foam cone. This technique is really effective and simple to do with this handy step-by-step guide. You can find a range of foam and polystyrene cones at Hobbycraft.
6. Stunning stars
These trees are super simple to create but what makes them really special is the cute origami stars on top. Learn how to make them here. You could line these spruces up along the mantelpiece or add names to form name places for the Christmas table.
7. Awesome origami
Origami is the art of paper folding - it's a really easy way of making things on a budget, as all you need is paper! Then simply place it on a skewer and stick to the top of a wooden spool for a cute and original Christmas decoration.
8. Lovely lanterns
These festive trees are actually little lanterns - what a great way to add some ambience to your festivities! You can buy these flat here and assemble them yourself, or why not try making your own? Make sure to only use battery-operated tea lights.
9. Cupcake cuties
This one is great for making with kids and certainly won't break the bank! All you need is some cupcake cases. Stick them on top of one another as shown, then embellish as desired. Add a hook to the top to turn them into tree decs. Find the full tutorial here
10. Frosty firs
This make is a real showstopper. Start by cutting 'V' shapes into the ends of 2cm x 4cm paper strips, then curl them slightly. Cover them over a polystyrene cone in layers, starting at the bottom. Create a small white card cone, glue to the top of the tree, then secure using a star pin. For more projects like this, pick up Crafts Beautiful magazine or visit the website here.
This year, why not get out your best papers and make one of our alternative crafty Christmas trees? These decs are sure to brighten up the house this winter.
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