Make a paper Christmas tree ornament with our free printable template (see below). This paper tree template is uncolored, so you can print it into any color heavy weight paper or cardstock you like to create your own unique trees. Alternatively, print the template onto scrap paper and then transfer this to scrapbook or decorative paper to create your tree.
Color Your Tree Template With Microsoft Paint
If you want to color the tree digitally before printing, you can use the free Microsoft Paint app to color your tree. This is very simple. See the tutorial here – How to Color Templates with Microsoft Paint.
How to Make the Paper Tree Ornament
You will need:
- Template (download below)
- Cardstock or heavyweight paper
- Scissors or craft knife
- Adhesive (I like glue sticks, however normal white glue or wood glue will work well too)
- Metal ruler or straight edge
- Bone folder (you will use this for scoring the paper or cardstock and this will help to give you crisp edges to your folds)
Instructions
1/ Download and print the template. Download the template here
| Free Paper Tree Template |
2/ Cut out the shapes, using a craft knife or scissors.
Tip: You will notice I have numbered the pieces 1 – 6. The pieces join together in a clockwise direction. With the right sides facing you and starting with piece 1, piece 2 will join on the right edge of piece 1. Piece 3 will join the right edge of piece two etc.
3/ Score along the dotted fold lines using the bone folder and metal ruler. If you are not familiar with scoring, we do this to prepare the paper or cardstock for folding. This means using a bone folder (or blunt knife) and carefully drawing this down the side of the ruler along the fold line. This breaks the fibers in the paper and will make it much easier to fold a straight line.
Note the difference between the dotted lines on the template:
. . . . . . . . . . = Mountain fold (folds like ^)
……………………… = Valley fold (folds like a V)
Score along all the fold lines.
Start adhering the edges together.
Tip: I make this in two halves, starting with pieces 1, 2 and 3. I then put together pieces 4,5 and 6. And finish by adhering the two halves.
I start in the middle of each section, halfway up the tree, as I find this is easiest to ensure the edges line up both at the top and at the bottom. Note how the small flaps slot into place.
4/ To finish the tree, adhere the two halves together
Tips for finishing your DIY paper tree:
- Think about how you want to display the tree before you start. If you plan to hang the tree then try adding a piece of looped ribbon or cord into the tip of the top of the tree when you are adhering the two halves together.
- If you want to make a bigger or smaller tree, simply adjust the size on your printer settings.
- Add your own ornaments with little pieces of cut up tinsel, stick on jewels, little pompoms – or anything to give the tree some extra sparkle!
We hope you enjoy this papercraft project from Make Breaks 🙂 If you love interesting paper crafts, you may be interested in our new papercraft club:
Sign up HERE!
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