3 Crafty Christmas Tree Toppers

This holiday season, skip readymade and get crafty to make one of these DIY tree toppers.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

To reach peak Christmas tree aesthetics, the right tree topper is crucial. Should you go with an elegant angel, a classic star or go out on a limb with something quirky and unique? We're fans of the latter. In fact, we've put together three alternative DIY tree topper options that are easy to craft, just in time to put up the tree.

Gnome Tree Topper

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Materials Needed

  • craft knife
  • hot glue gun + glue sticks
  • scissors
  • spray adhesive
  • ivory yarn
  • decorative ribbon
  • 17" cardboard topiary form
  • wooden bead
  • red decorative sisal
  • 10" piece of scrap cardboard

Hollow Out Cardboard Tree

Use the craft knife to cut the bottom out of the paper tree (Image 1). Be sure to remove any inner structure as well, as this will allow the topper to slide down on top of your tree (Image 2).

Cover Tree With Sisal

In a well-ventilated area, cover the entire tree with an even coat of spray adhesive (Image 1). Wrap the cone with sisal, pressing it into place (Image 2). Continue wrapping until the entire cone is covered (Image 3).

Make Beard

To make a long white gnome beard, wrap ivory yarn lengthwise around a small piece of cardboard 25-30 times (Image 1). Cut the yarn so that it ends in the center of the cardboard (Image 2).

Cut Beard to Size

Cut a short piece of yarn and run it underneath the middle of the wrapped yarn, then tightly tie it to cinch the bunched yarn together (Image 1). Flip the cardboard over and cut the bunched yarn down the middle, then discard the cardboard and fold the yarn in half to make the beard (Image 2).

Attach Beard

Run a generous bead of hot glue along the base of the cardboard tree and carefully lay the cinched portion of the beard across, starting from the middle and pressing carefully outward (Images 1 & 2). Let the beard sit for several minutes to allow the glue to harden.

Attach Nose

To give this gnome a nose, hot glue the wooden bead just above the beard, holding it in place until the glue hardens (Images 1 & 2).

Make Hatband

Starting from the back, glue one end of the decorative ribbon in place and wrap it around the base of the tree to create the look of a hatband (Images 1 & 2). Trim off any excess and use hot glue to hold down the other end (Image 3). Once the glue hardens, all that’s left is to place this gnome at the tip-top of your tree.

Pom-Pom Tree Topper

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Materials Needed

  • 10" scrap piece of cardboard
  • scissors
  • four varieties of decorative ribbon
  • green craft wire

Line Up Ribbon

Gather the ends of all four ribbons together and hold them in one hand at the center of the cardboard, making sure the individual spools are facing the same way.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Loop Ribbon

Wrap the four ribbons around the cardboard ten times (Images 1 & 2). Cut all four pieces of ribbon, holding them down carefully with your thumb as you cut (Image 3).

Knot Pom-Pom Together

Cut a piece of ribbon to one foot in length and slide it underneath the looped ribbon on one side of the cardboard. Carefully slide the cardboard out, weave the ribbon under the second side in a figure-8 fashion and meet back in the middle. Tie the ribbon tightly at the center of the pom-pom to secure.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Cut Ribbon

Cut the folded ribbon on both ends to separate it and create the pom-pom shape.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Fluff Pom-Pom

Fluff the ribbon by pulling each of the pieces apart, pulling it into a circular shape.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Place On Tree

To top your tree, attach the pom-pom using a scrap piece of ribbon or green craft wire.

Minimalist Tree Topper

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

Materials Needed

  • hot glue gun + glue sticks
  • small wooden beads
  • 12” wooden dowels

Make Beaded Sticks

Carefully add a dot of hot glue to the hole of a wooden bead and attach it to one end of the wooden dowel (Images 1 & 2). Repeat as many times as necessary. You can make more or fewer depending on the size and shape of your tree and how minimalist of a look you’re after, but we think a dozen is a good benchmark.

Insert Sticks in Tree

Place the dowels directly into the top of the tree, spacing them at random heights and facing different directions.

Photo by: Flynnside

Flynnside

3 DIY Tree Toppers
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