Have you ever tried making your own paper? It takes a little practice, but it’s so rewarding and a great way to recycle. Plus, you can use your creations to make so many gorgeous things at little to no cost. These handmade paper Christmas trees are a good example.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Aren’t they lovely? If you’re not keen to make your own paper, you can find beautiful sheets at most craft shops. The size of the finished tree will depend on how big your sheets of paper are. For the large handmade paper Christmas tree, I used 3 A4 sheets I made many moons ago.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

This little one only took one sheet.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Right, before I show you how to make these paper Christmas trees, why not follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram so you never miss a post? And don’t forget to subscribe.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

What you need

  • Handmade paper
  • Large cardboard box
  • Ruler
  • Craft knife or scissors
  • Fairy lights
  • Water and paintbrush
  • Masking tape and glue
  • Twig (optional)
What you need to make handmade paper Christmas trees

How to make handmade paper Christmas trees

These little Christmas trees are super easy to make. Start by drawing a basic Christmas tree shape on scrap paper and cut it out. We’ll use the shape as a guide in a few moments.

Cut out a basic Christmas tree shape

Cut your cardboard box into strips that are roughly 3 cm wide. If you want a fatter tree, make the strips wider.

Use a sharp craft knife to cut strips of cardboard

Starting at the bottom of the tree and using the paper cut-out as a guide, bend and shape the cardboard strips around the tree shape. Using a ruler to make the bends gave me crisp, clean lines.

A ruler will help make sharp, crisp bends in the cardboard

Continue bending and shaping the tree form using the cut-out as a guide.

Use the paper cut-out tree as a guide to bend and shape the cardboard strips

To make things easier, you can use a pen to mark where the folds should be.

Mark the bends and shape the Christmas tree

If your cardboard strip isn’t long enough, you can join two pieces together at the bend with masking tape.

Strips of masking tape will join the cardboard together

You should end up with something like this. Don’t worry if the shape looks a little wonky. We’ll fix that in the next step.

After bending a shaping, the cardboard tree frame will be a little wonky

Adding the handmade paper

Put glue around one edge of the cardboard tree shape and glue it down onto the handmade paper.

Apply glue to the edge of the cardboard tree

Make a small hole at the bottom of the Christmas tree and thread fairy lights through the hole.

Find the middle point and make a hole in the bottom of the tree

Use masking tape to attach the fairy lights inside the tree shape.

Tape the lights to the inside of the tree frame

Once the lights are in place, put glue around the other edge and glue down the second sheet of handmade paper.

Glue the second edge of the cardboard Christmas tree frame down on the paper

Dip a paintbrush in water and outline the handmade paper Christmas tree. Gently rip the paper to create a tattered effect. Save the scraps to make this adorable little paper house with a thatch roof.

Use a paint brush to wet the edges of the paper and rip to create a tattered effect

To finish off, glue handmade paper strips on the sides to hide the cardboard.

Small torn strips of paper to disguise the cardboard sides

To give the trees more height, you can always add a sturdy twig and wood slice. Just glue them to the bottom of the Christmas tree.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Or pop a tiny angel on top.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Quick and easy.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

The little trees look great grouped together ….

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

…. or on their own.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial
Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

What do you think? Have you used handmade paper and cardboard to create festive decor?

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Don’t forget to pin the handmade paper Christmas trees tutorial for later.

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Sharing is caring

Do you want to make something that's both gorgeous and budget-friendly this festive season? If so, these easy-to-make, handmade paper Christmas trees tick all the right boxes. They look great on the mantle or a table and the lights give them a beautiful warm glow. #ACraftyMix #Tutorial

Want a few more easy Christmas decor ideas?

Click to see more amazing Christmas craft ideas from A Crafty Mix
  1. Make this unusual light-filled ring that also uses cardboard as a base;
  2. Another festive repurposed cardboard idea. This star overflowing with baubles is something completely different.
  3. One of our most popular posts, these wine-glass Christmas trees look amazing day and night;
  4. For those who want to add a little whimsy, then this bejeweled and feathered Christmas tree is just for just for you;

Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

50 Sheets - Rough/Textured Watercolor Paper - 9.5 X 12.5 inches(150GSM) - Handmade/Deckle Edge Paper Made from Virgin Egyptian Cotton - Off-White by Leather Village
8.5x12 Inches Mulberry Paper Sheet Design Craft Hand Made Art Tissue Japan Origami Washi Wholesale Bulk Sale Unryu Suppliers Thailand Products Card Making Paper with Dried leaves 50 Sheets
RATREE SHOP 50 Sheets A4 Thin Natural Leaves Rice Straw Mulberry Paper Sheets Art Tissue Washi Paper Design Craft Art Origami Suppliers Card Making

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

Sale 18 Pieces Wooden Christmas Tree Crafts 3D Natural Wood Cutouts Rustic Wood Christmas Tree Decorations Decorative Wood Home Table Decors for Christmas Holidays Parties Anniversaries Decorations
Sale AuldHome Wooden Christmas Trees (Set of 2, Distressed White); Tabletop Handmade Mango Wood Trees with Rectangular Base for Holiday Home Decor
RAZ Imports 2021 Holiday Spice 18-inch White Icing Gingerbread Tree

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.

Made with love by a Crafty Mix