DIY Colorful Paper Tree Forest: An Easy and Festive Mantel Decor Idea

Transform your fireplace mantel into a captivating winter wonderland with this simple and delightful DIY project. Creating a colorful paper tree forest is an easy and budget-friendly way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, this project is perfect for adding a whimsical and festive atmosphere to your home.

Inspired by a stroll through the craft store’s vibrant paper aisle, I envisioned a miniature forest of folded paper trees adorning my mantel. Embracing non-traditional colors, I selected a range of my favorite hues to bring this creative idea to life. This tutorial will guide you step-by-step in creating your own unique paper tree forest, allowing you to customize the colors and sizes to perfectly match your personal style and home décor.

Materials You’ll Need to Create Your Paper Tree Forest

Gathering the right materials is the first step towards bringing your paper tree forest to life. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

• Assorted Cardstock: Choose a variety of colors that complement your existing décor. Consider using different shades of green for a traditional look, or experiment with bold and vibrant colors for a more contemporary feel. Glitter cardstock can also add a touch of sparkle and festive cheer. The weight of the cardstock is important; a medium weight will hold its shape well while still being easy to fold.
• Wooden Skewers (8 inch): These will serve as the “trunks” of your trees, providing stability and allowing you to arrange them on your mantel. Ensure the skewers are sturdy enough to support the paper trees without bending or breaking. You can find these at most craft stores or even in the kitchenware section of your local supermarket.
• Small Wood Blocks (1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch): These will act as the bases for your paper trees, providing a solid foundation and preventing them from tipping over. You can purchase these pre-cut at craft stores, or cut your own from scrap wood. Consider sanding them down for a smoother finish, or painting them to match your paper trees.
• Scissors: A good pair of scissors is essential for cutting the cardstock into the desired shapes. Opt for a pair that are sharp and comfortable to use, especially if you plan on making a large number of trees.
• Glue (Elmer’s or similar): You’ll need glue to secure the wooden skewers to the wood bases. Elmer’s Glue or a similar multi-purpose glue works well. Hot glue can also be used for a faster-drying option, but be careful not to burn yourself.
• Pencil: A pencil is needed for marking the cardstock before cutting. A standard pencil will do just fine.
• Ruler: A ruler will help you measure and draw straight lines for your triangles. A clear ruler is particularly useful for precise measurements.
• Hole Punch (1/8 inch): This will create the holes in the center of the folded paper, allowing you to thread the skewer through. A standard 1/8 inch hole punch is ideal.
• Electric Drill with 1/8 inch Drill Bit (Optional): This is an optional tool that can be used to create the holes in the paper trees more quickly. However, using a drill may result in slightly ragged edges compared to using a hole punch. If you choose to use a drill, be careful not to damage the paper.

With your materials gathered, you’re ready to begin the process of creating your own unique and charming paper tree forest!

Step 1: Cutting the Paper Triangles for Your Trees

The first step in creating your paper tree forest is to cut out the triangular shapes that will form the basis of your trees. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare your cardstock: Take a piece of your chosen cardstock and place it on a flat surface, with the back side facing up. This will make it easier to erase any pencil marks later on.
2. Draw the triangles: Using a pencil and ruler, draw tall triangles on the back of the cardstock. For an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of cardstock, aim for triangles that are approximately 4 inches wide at the base. To achieve this, make a mark at the 4-inch point and the 8-inch point along the bottom edge of the paper. Then, make a mark at the 2-inch point and the 6-inch point along the top edge.
3. Connect the dots: Carefully connect the marks you’ve made on the top and bottom edges to create the triangular shape. Ensure the lines are straight and precise for a clean and uniform look.
4. Cut out the triangles: Using your scissors, carefully cut along the lines you’ve drawn to create the triangles. Take your time and be as precise as possible for the best results.
5. Repeat: Each 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper should yield approximately three triangles. Repeat the process to create the desired number of triangles for your forest.

Remember, the size and shape of your triangles will determine the overall size and shape of your finished trees, so feel free to experiment with different dimensions to create a variety of tree styles.

Step 2: Folding the Triangles Accordion Style

Once you’ve cut out all of your triangles, the next step is to fold them accordion style, creating the characteristic texture and dimension of your paper trees. Follow these steps:

1. Start folding: Take one of your triangles and begin folding it accordion style. Make sure each fold is approximately 1/2 an inch wide. Precision is key here, as consistent folds will result in a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing tree.
2. Maintain consistency: Try to keep each fold as even and straight as possible. You can use a ruler to help guide you if needed.
3. Repeat the process: Continue folding the triangle until you reach the end.
4. Repeat for all triangles: Repeat this process for all of your triangles, ensuring that each one is folded in the same way.

Folding the paper triangles accordion style can be a bit time-consuming, but it’s a crucial step in creating the desired look for your paper tree forest. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Step 3: Punching the Initial Hole in Your Folded Tree

Now it’s time to create the holes that will allow you to thread the wooden skewers through your paper trees. This step involves using the hole punch to create a central opening in the folded paper.

1. Locate the center: Take one of your accordion-folded triangles and carefully identify the approximate center point.
2. Punch the hole: Using your 1/8 inch hole punch, punch a hole through the middle of the first couple of layers of the folded paper. It’s important to start with just a few layers to ensure the hole is accurately centered.

This initial hole will serve as a guide for punching the remaining holes, ensuring that they are all aligned and creating a clean, professional look for your finished paper trees.

Step 4: Ensuring Centered Holes Through All Layers

To ensure that the wooden skewer passes easily through all layers of the folded paper, you need to punch holes through the entire tree, maintaining the centered alignment established in the previous step.

1. Mark the spot: Make a small mark inside the lowest hole you’ve already punched. This mark will serve as a visual guide for punching through the remaining layers.
2. Punch through: Carefully punch through the marked spot, ensuring that the hole aligns with the initial opening.
3. Repeat: Repeat this process until you have punched holes through all layers of the folded paper.

Alternate Method (Using a Drill): If you’re short on time or prefer a faster method, you can use an electric drill with a 1/8 inch drill bit to create the holes. However, be aware that this method may result in slightly ragged edges compared to using a hole punch. If using a drill, exercise caution to avoid damaging the paper.

Choose the method that best suits your preferences and resources, keeping in mind that the consistency and alignment of the holes will contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of your paper tree forest.

Step 5: Preparing the Wood Bases for Your Paper Trees

The wooden bases will provide a stable foundation for your paper trees, allowing you to arrange them on your mantel with confidence. This step involves drilling a hole in each wood base to accommodate the wooden skewers.

1. Center the drill: Take one of your small wood blocks and carefully center the drill bit on one of its faces.
2. Drill a hole: Using your electric drill with a 1/8 inch drill bit, drill a hole through the center of the wood block, stopping approximately halfway through. It’s important not to drill all the way through, as this will compromise the stability of the base.
3. Repeat: Repeat this process for all of your wood blocks.

By drilling a partial hole in the wood bases, you’ll create a secure and stable platform for your paper trees, ensuring that they stand upright and adding a professional touch to your DIY mantel decor.

Step 6: Securing the Skewers to the Wood Bases with Glue

With the holes drilled in the wood bases, it’s time to attach the wooden skewers that will serve as the “trunks” of your paper trees. This step involves using glue to create a strong and lasting bond between the skewers and the bases.

1. Apply glue: Place a tiny dot of glue inside one of the holes you drilled in the wood bases. Be careful not to use too much glue, as this could cause it to overflow and create a messy finish.
2. Insert the skewer: Insert a wooden skewer into the hole, ensuring that the pointy side is facing upwards. This will allow you to easily thread the paper tree onto the skewer.
3. Allow to dry: Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. This will ensure that the skewer is securely attached to the base.
4. Repeat: Repeat this process for all of your wood bases and skewers.

By carefully gluing the skewers into the wood bases, you’ll create a stable and secure foundation for your paper trees, allowing you to arrange them on your mantel with confidence and creating a stunning and festive display.

Step 7: Assembling Your Colorful Paper Trees

Now for the final and most rewarding step: assembling your paper trees and bringing your vision to life!

1. Thread the skewer: Take one of your accordion-folded paper triangles and carefully thread the wooden skewer through the holes you punched earlier.
2. Adjust the folds: Gently spread out the accordion folds of the paper, arranging them so that the tree looks even and balanced.
3. Repeat: Repeat this process for all of your paper triangles, creating a forest of colorful and whimsical trees.

Once you’ve assembled all of your paper trees, you can arrange them on your mantel or any other surface you want to decorate. Experiment with different heights and colors to create a visually appealing and festive display.

The end result is a unique and festive creation, brimming with color and personality. I chose glitter paper and bold hues for a modern twist, but you can adapt the color scheme to suit your own taste. If you prefer a more traditional look, consider using shades of green and red. For a neutral and sophisticated aesthetic, opt for white and beige papers with varying textures.

These paper trees look stunning lined up together on a mantel, but you can also scatter them throughout your home to add a touch of holiday cheer wherever it’s needed. To expand your crafting endeavors, consider adding a DIY Life-Sized Folded Paper Christmas Tree to your holiday decor for an even more impressive display!

Happy crafting!

Looking for More Holiday DIY Projects and Ideas?

How to Make a Wooden Tabletop Christmas Tree in 4 Easy Steps

How to Fold a Christmas Money Tree

Transform Christmas Garlands and Make Them Look More Expensive

More Mantel Inspiration:

• How To Build a Fireplace Mantel
• Fall into Cozy: 20+ Warm & Stylish Mantel Ideas for Autumn