Make a Beautiful DIY Christmas Tree

Making a Christmas tree is one of the most cherished traditions during the festive season. Families come together and use this as a bonding activity. It brings warmth and laughter, and the kids enjoy making the decorations—ask any child what they love about Christmas, and they'll tell you one of three things: the gifting, the food, drinks, and candies, and setting up the Christmas trees.

However, Christmas trees are usually fir trees, spruces, or pine that are cut and shipped from places like Germany, Latvia, and Estonia. But Germany is credited for starting the tradition.

Fun fact: Did you know that the German, British, and French troops stopped fighting in the First World War to celebrate Christmas and share meals?

Thus, Christmas is one of the fun seasons celebrated all over the world. Christmas trees, like the meaning of the celebration, stand as a way for people to share good moments and be reminded to be kind. So, how can you make a Christmas tree on your own at home, anyway? We will show you in six steps.

What Do You Need to Make Your Christmas Tree?

Preparation goes before anything worthwhile. In that same way, if you want to make the most beautiful Christmas tree ever, you must prepare the materials you need to make a gorgeous craft. 

We have listed what you need here:

• Artificial or real tree
• Tree stands or sturdy base
• Garland 
• Ribbon
• Ornaments (baubles, bells, or handmade items)
• Tree topper (star or angel)
• Lights (LED string lights)
• Scissors 
• Glue (if creating a DIY tree)

Note: 

Moreover, if you are interested in creating a homemade Christmas tree from scratch, consider collecting materials like cardboard, wooden planks, or even branches.

Step-by-Step Guide for Making a Christmas Tree

1. Set Up the Tree Base

The base is what holds the tree.

• First, place your tree in a solid stand. 
• Next, ensure the tree is firmly rooted to prevent any accidental falling. For artificial trees, try as much as possible to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. 
• Then, ensure that your tree will stay upright throughout the holiday season.

2. Fluff the Branches

After setting the base, you need to “fluff the branches”. Moreover, fluffing the branches here means spreading and arranging the branches to make them look fuller and more natural.

• Look for a permanent secured site for the tree.
• Arrange the branches, spreading each branch wide, and ensuring there are no gaps. Moreover, fluffing makes your tree look fuller, giving it a natural look.

Note: For artificial trees, more so, steps 1-2 are important as the branches can often appear flat right out of the box. If you are using a real tree, ensure that the branches are spread out widely and adjust them as needed.

3. Add the Lights

Lights add the shimmer to your Christmas tree. However, if you want your tree to give off the right, feel that blends color and the reflection to bounce off the wall, you need to choose the right kind of light.

• Start at the bottom and weave the lights around the branches, working your way to the top. 
• Next, make sure the lights are evenly distributed, avoiding clumps. 
• To achieve a balanced glow, tuck some lights deeper into the tree while leaving others closer to the surface. 
• If you want a more colorful or themed tree, you can add multi-color lights or those that blink.

4. Drape Garland or Ribbon

On the other hand, a garland is a braided knot or a wreath of flowers or leaves that are used for decorating the trees. You need drapes to give your tree a beautiful aesthetic.

• Start by adding your garland or ribbon. 
• Next, wrap the garland around the tree in a spiral pattern, working from the top down. 

For ribbon users, do the following:

• Cut it into smaller sections and tuck it into the branches for a more fashionable look. 
• This step adds texture and enhances the appearance of your tree.

5. Hang Ornaments on Your Tree

The ornaments are where your creativity truly shines.

• Make a variety of mixes of small ornaments to create a balanced look. 
• Place larger ornaments near the bottom of the tree and smaller ones near the top. 
• Spread them everywhere around the tree, making sure no area looks too crowded. 
• Also, don’t forget to hang special keepsake ornaments in prominent spots.

6. Add the Tree Topper

For the last act of magic, you will perform to make the most beautiful DIY Christmas tree, you will need to add a tree topper.

Similarly, making beautiful trees is an art, not an activity you mark on your to-do list. If you're a mum doing this for everyone at home, this is the part that kids value the most. They want to play with the bells, the stars, the balls, the fairies—or whatever you're using to top your Christmas tree.

That aside, there's even an opportunity to tell a great story when your kids are gathered around your tree.

More so, growing up, we'd gather around to listen to stories of the shepherds and the stars that found their way to Bethlehem. It is the beautiful story that defines the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, when you add tree toppers to your tree craft, the only limit you have is your artistic vision. You can opt for something creative that doesn't block the rest of the tree but rather blends in nicely with the drapes and tree designs you've gone for. Then, fasten your topper to the top of the tree. 

DIY Christmas Tree Ideas

Now that you can make a tree, you will find it useful to get tree ideas on how to spice things up to achieve different moods and designs for your Christmas tree decorations.

Nevertheless, it is important to be adventurous and try out new things by yourself.  Here are a few ideas:

1. Wall-Mounted Tree

The wall-mounted tree is suitable if you are short of space. Although, you can use string lights, garland, and branches, to create the shape of a tree on your wall. Next, decorate it with the preferred ribbon, small ornaments, and baubles to give it a festive sensation.

2. Wooden Pallet Tree

However, you can make a Christmas tree using tree pallets, though it might not look well-polished, but the outcome is usually beautiful.  Start by cutting the pallet into the shape of a tree, paint it green, and attach ornaments or lights. Additionally, this DIY project is simple yet stylish and can be a great addition to any home.

3. Book Tree

For book lovers, using the collection of books to construct a Christmas tree is adventurous and innovative. Start by stacking up your books in a Christmas Tree or conical shape. Furthermore, the top can be decorated with a small star or an angelic statue ornament. Then, followed by draping some lights around it for a magical look.

How to Maintain Your Christmas Tree

To keep your Christmas tree looking its best throughout the season, follow these simple tips:

For real trees

• Water the tree regularly to prevent the branches from drying out.
•  Dry branches are more likely to drop needles and look less vibrant.

For artificial trees

• First, dust the branches occasionally to maintain a fresh look.
• Also, keep your tree away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces to avoid drying it out or causing a fire hazard.

Making a Christmas tree—especially the fun, DIY way—forces you to think creatively. Whether you're a homemaker, a hobbyist, or somebody trying to learn a bit more about trees and what makes them art, no doubt making one yourself helps you achieve this. Try out these simple tips and share your experience in the comment box.