DIY Folded Paper Christmas Tree: A Festive and Affordable Decoration

Looking for a unique and budget-friendly alternative to a traditional Christmas tree? Standard Christmas trees can be costly, especially when you’re watching your spending. If you live in a cozy apartment, finding space for a full-sized tree can be a challenge. Caring for a real tree can be time-consuming, and the journey home can be quite the undertaking. And if you have curious pets, a traditional tree might seem impossible. Fear not! This year, you can create a charming and festive atmosphere with a DIY life-sized folded paper Christmas tree.

This project is super affordable, easy to assemble, and requires minimal space. All you need is a wall, a roll of tape, a stapler, some cardstock, and about an hour of your time. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this project is perfect for any skill level and requires absolutely no maintenance. It’s a creative and eco-friendly way to celebrate the holidays without the hassle of traditional trees. Perfect for small apartments, dorm rooms, or anyone seeking a unique and festive decoration, this paper Christmas tree brings holiday cheer without the typical tree troubles.

So, grab your scissors and get ready to embrace the festive spirit with this delightful DIY project! In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step, providing clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure your paper Christmas tree turns out beautifully. Let’s embark on this creative journey and craft a charming, eco-friendly Christmas tree that will bring joy to your home this holiday season. Prepare to transform simple paper into a stunning holiday centerpiece that reflects your personal style and creativity.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you get started, gather all the necessary materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

• Green Cardstock: We recommend using two packs of 50 sheets. The amount of cardstock may vary based on the size of the tree.
• Stapler: This is essential for connecting the paper folds together.
• Scotch Tape: Use this to attach the paper tree to the wall. Opt for a tape that is safe for painted surfaces or removable Glue Dots to avoid damaging your wall.
• Scissors: For trimming and shaping the paper as needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Paper Christmas Tree

Follow these detailed instructions to create your stunning, life-sized folded paper Christmas tree. Each step is designed to be easy to follow, making this project enjoyable for crafters of all skill levels. Let’s get started!

Step 1 – Make the Accordion Folds (Long Way)

Begin by preparing the foundation of your paper Christmas tree. Take 50 sheets of your green cardstock and fold them lengthwise in an accordion pattern. The paper should resemble the letter “M” or “W” when viewed from the side. Maintain consistent folds for a uniform look. You can experiment with different shades of green for a more vibrant tree, but green is the traditional color.

Step 2 – Connect the Accordions (Long Way)

Once you’ve folded the paper lengthwise, it’s time to connect them. Staple the long ends of the accordion-folded paper together to create longer strips. Repeat this process until you have approximately 6 sets, each consisting of 10 sheets, or “M”s long. These longer strips will form the primary branches of your tree.

Step 3 – Make the Accordion Folds (Short Way – Widthwise)

Next, you’ll need to create shorter accordion folds to add dimension to your tree. Fold another 30-40 sheets of paper widthwise using the same accordion pattern. Ensure that the height of these folds is roughly the same as your previous folds. You can eyeball it or use one of your longer folds as a template to maintain consistency.

Step 4 – Connect the Accordions (Short Way)

Just as you did with the longer folds, staple the short ends of the widthwise-folded paper together. Repeat this process until you have several sets of these shorter accordion folds. These will be used to fill in the upper sections of your tree, creating a fuller and more tapered appearance.

Step 5 – Start Your Tree Form

Now it’s time to start assembling your paper Christmas tree on the wall. Begin by attaching the first set of 10 “M”s to the bottom of the wall using tape. This first layer should be the longest, forming the base of your tree. Ensure the tape is securely attached, but also easily removable to prevent damage to your wall.

We recommend using Scotch tape, as it’s generally safe for painted walls. Alternatively, you can use removable Glue Dots or another adhesive of your choice. The stapled-together “M”s will have a fan-like appearance, and you’ll want to let the natural drape of the paper hang slightly. This adds a more realistic, tree-like effect as you build up your tree with the paper pieces.

Step 6 – Continue to Build Your Tree

Continue building your tree row by row. As you add layers, you may need to trim the ends off your rows of “M”s to create a tapered shape. We took about an inch off of 3 sets of the long “M”s and 1-3 inches off of 2 sets of the shorter “M”s. Continue tapering until you reach the top of the tree to ensure you end up with a nice cone shape.

Step 7 – Create the Tree Top

To create the top of your tree, simply accordion fold a sheet of paper. Staple the top and fan out the bottom before attaching it to the wall. This will create a small, decorative fan that serves as the tree’s apex.

Decorating Your Paper Christmas Tree: Unleash Your Creativity

Congratulations! You’ve created your own joyful little wall tree made of paper and your own two hands. Now comes the fun part: decorating it! Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Felt Ornaments: Cut out colorful round felt circles to resemble ornaments. Attach them to the paper tree with small pieces of tape or glue dots.
• Fairy Lights: Add a few strings of battery-operated fairy lights to give your tree a magical glow.
• Ribbon Bows: Tie ribbon bows in all different colors and attach them to the tree for a festive touch.
• Paper Star Tree Topper: Make a paper star tree topper using origami techniques.
• Presents and Goodies: Place small presents and goodies under your tree to complete the festive look.

Remember, this life-sized version is made of paper, so make sure it’s not too close to any heat sources, like a fireplace!

Project Summary: Festive Folded Paper Christmas Tree

Festive Folded Paper Christmas Tree

This easy-to-make, unique paper Christmas tree will add a touch of whimsy to your home. Embrace the joy of handmade decorations and follow the easy tutorial to create your own magical tree. Perfect for small spaces, apartments, or anyone looking to add a personalized touch to their holiday celebrations.

Materials

• Green cardstock (we used 2 packs of 50)
• Scotch tape

Tools

• Scissors
• Stapler

Instructions

1. Fold 50 sheets of paper the long way in an accordion pattern. Start by folding the paper in half, lengthwise and then fold the two ends in toward the middle. Your paper will look like the letter “M” (or “W” if you please) while on its side.
2. Staple the long ends of the paper together and repeat. You’ll want roughly 6 sets of paper that are 10 sheets, or “M”s long.
3. Fold another 30-40 sheets of paper widthwise in the same accordion pattern. You’ll want the height of your fold to be roughly the same size as your previous folds. You can eyeball it or use one of your previous folds as a template.
4. Staple the short ends of paper together and repeat.
5. Attach the first set of 10 “M”s to the bottom of the wall with tape. The first layer should be your longest. You can make the subsequent ones shorter as you create a true tapered tree shape. We used Scotch tape for this because I have never had a bad experience with Scotch tape on a painted wall. But, you could easily use removable GlueDots or another adhesive of your choosing. The stapled together “M”s will have a fan-like look and you’ll want to let the drape that occurs with the weight of your paper hang a little bit. It makes it more tree-like as you build up your tree.
6. Continue to build your tree, row by row. As you add layers, you may need to begin trimming the ends off of your rows of “M”s. We took about an inch off of 3 sets of the long “M”s and 1-3 inches off of 2 sets of the shorter “M”s. We continued tapering until we reached the top of the tree.
7. To create your tree’s top, simply accordion fold a sheet of paper, staple the top and fan out the bottom before attaching it to the wall.

More Holiday DIY Projects and Ideas

Looking for additional holiday DIY projects to enhance your festive decor? Here are a few more ideas to inspire you: