Spread a little holiday cheer this year by presenting your friends and family members with homemade craft wood Christmas trees. The simple handmade holiday decorations make wonderful gifts for everyone from your children's teachers to your mail carrier.
Wood Christmas trees are easy enough for kids to make. Not only will this craft keep your children busy on cold snowy days, but also it is reasonably priced, especially if you are buying the materials in bulk.
Crafting from Kits
The easiest way to craft wood Christmas trees is to purchase a kit. You can find wood Christmas tree kits at most craft stores and other major discount retailers. Prior to choosing a kit, consider the level of difficulty involved and the size of each tree. You might find it difficult to fit a 12-inch wrapped Christmas tree in your mailbox for your postal carrier. In addition, younger children might find it frustrating to craft trees with multiple parts.
Here are a few popular wood Christmas tree kits that are suitable for kids of all ages:
- 3-D Wood Christmas Trees: These adorable 5 ½-inch wood trees are ideal for children who love to assemble crafts as much as they enjoy embellishing them. Also, you can't beat the price: Six wooden trees for under $5.
- Craft Stick Christmas Trees: These 7-inch shiny trees are perfect for preschoolers who are looking to put their own stamp on a Christmas classic. This particular project is categorized as "very easy" and comes pre-packaged for individual use. Moreover, the price can't be beat: $4 for 12 trees.
- Christmas Tree Wood Kit: This festive yuletide project makes a charming table topper.
Crafting from Scratch
Another way to decorate your home with wooden Christmas trees is to craft them from scratch.
Wood Christmas Trees for Beginners
If you are a beginner crafter, consider the following simple wooden Christmas tree project:
Materials:
- Wood scraps, wooden craft spoons, tongue depressors or wooden spoons that come with ice cream cups.
- Acrylic paint (Green, red, yellow, blue, silver)
- Paint brushes
- Yellow felt
- Craft glue
- Scissors
- Pin backs--if you plan to use trees as decorative pins
- Ribbon--if you plan to use trees as gift tags, Christmas ornaments or wreath embellishments
Directions:
- Overlap wooden spoons or tongue depressors to make triangle Christmas tree shape.
- Glue pieces in place.
- Paint tree green and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Cut out star shapes from yellow felt.
- Glue felt stars to the top of wooden trees.
- Use red, yellow, blue and silver paint to embellish trees.
- To make your trees more elaborate, consider gluing on colorful gemstones or sequins.
- Glue ribbon or pin back on the back of completed trees.
Wood Christmas Trees for Advanced Crafters
Experienced woodworkers will have no problem crafting the following Christmas tree:
Materials:
- Wood such as MDF
- Paint
- String of miniature Christmas lights
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Scroll Saw
Directions:
- Draw or trace a Christmas tree shape onto the wood. You determine the size; just remember to draw a star on top.
- Cut out a tree stand from the wood, making sure the sides of the stand are about twice the width of the trunk of your Christmas tree.
- Cut a triangle piece from the wood; this will extend up the back of the tree to support it. The base of the triangle should be a couple of centimeters shorter than the stand. The height of the triangle should be just under half as tall as the Christmas tree itself and it should be placed at an 85 degree angle from the base so that the finished tree leans backwards on it slightly for support.
- Carefully cut out the tree pieces from the wood.
- Sand the edges of the wood pieces to eliminate all rough edges. You will be placing the lights into holes in the tree later.
- Find a drill bit that is roughly the same size as your Christmas tree lights.
- Randomly drill holes into the Christmas tree shape, making sure you drill as many holes as you have lights.
- Using wood glue, adhere all sections of the tree together and allow to dry overnight.
- Paint tree. You may need to apply more than one coat of paint. Allow to dry thoroughly.
- Place miniature lights in the holes from back to front. Start at the top and work your way down the tree pushing the lights through the holes. If the lights don't fit snugly, use a dab of glue to hold each light in place.
Advantages of Craft Wood Christmas Trees
Wooden Christmas trees can be crafted in a variety of sizes and forms, from classic to contemporary. In addition, each piece lasts for years and doesn't cost a fortune to make. Finally, the festive trees bring a rustic charm to any room in the house, which makes them welcome gifts to give or receive.
