3 Crafty Christmas Tree Toppers
This holiday season, skip readymade and get crafty to make one of these DIY tree toppers.
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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
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Pom-Pom Tree Topper
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Cut Ribbon
Cut the folded ribbon on both ends to separate it and create the pom-pom shape.
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Fluff Pom-Pom
Fluff the ribbon by pulling each of the pieces apart, pulling it into a circular shape.
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Place On Tree
To top your tree, attach the pom-pom using a scrap piece of ribbon or green craft wire.
Minimalist Tree Topper
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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.
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Insert Sticks in Tree
Place the dowels directly into the top of the tree, spacing them at random heights and facing different directions.
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