3D Christmas Tree

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create the Tree Shape

• Start with your 8.5 × 11 inch (21.5 × 28 cm) green printer paper. (I found printer paper to be the right flexibility, as cardstock was a bit too stiff for this project!)

• Fold the paper into a cone shape with the top of the tree (narrow part) facing the 11-inch side.

• Fold the 8.5-inch sides inward, creating a cone shape with a narrow top and a wide bottom.

• Once you're happy with the shape, glue the cone together to hold it in place. (If it feels a bit off, you can always adjust before the glue sets!)

2. Trim the Bottom

• Cut off the bottom of the cone to make it as straight as possible. The goal here is to make sure your tree stands up neatly, so take your time and make it as even as possible!

3. Fill the Tree

• Fill the cone with candy (or your preferred goodies!). Once full, use green tissue paper to cover the candies and hide the contents.

• Cut two 6 × 6 inch (15.2 × 15.2 cm) squares of green tissue paper.

• Glue them onto the tree to cover the candy at the bottom and seal it all in.

4. Add the Tree Fringes

• Now, grab some colored paper and cut out 1-inch wide strips. You don’t need to go too crazy here — a printed paper works beautifully for a fun, festive look!

• Cut fringes into the strips just like you would for piñata fringes or tree leaves. (Use your scissors for this!)

• Use a bone folder (or your fingers) to flare the fringes out slightly to add a fun texture.

5. Decorate the Tree

• With the tree base facing down, start gluing the fringed paper around the bottom of the cone, working your way up. Be sure to overlap the layers for a full, textured effect.

• I recommend using tape for the bottom parts and glue for the top — this seems to work the best for securing the fringes.

6. Add the Star

• Create a small gold star for the top of your tree.

• You can do this by gluing two star shapes together, leaving a small piece of paper between them to create a little dimension.

• Once glued, attach the star to the very top of your tree by securing it with a generous amount of glue.

• I made sure to press down well so the star stays nice and stable.

7. Final Touches: Ornaments

• Use a hole punch to cut out circles of colored paper (think of these as your tree ornaments). Feel free to make these in a variety of colors!

• Glue the circles onto the tree using your reverse tweezers (they make placing the tiny pieces so much easier).

All Done!

And there you have it — your very own paper Christmas tree, ready for the holidays! It’s cute, festive, and filled with candy or whatever small treat you’d like to surprise someone with. It’s also super customizable, so feel free to get creative with your decorations and colors!

Customization Tips

• Experiment with different colors of paper for a more personalized look.

• Try adding ribbon or even mini pom-poms as ornaments for some extra fun.

• Make a whole forest of mini trees as a fun centerpiece for your holiday table!

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