DIY Twig Christmas Tree
Updated on February 27, 2021
When it comes to making Christmas crafts, I’ve always loved the unique ways that actual nature can be used. Of course, you can get crafty with natural things found in your backyard any time of year, but I find the idea works particularly well around Christmas. I’ve been particularly enamoured lately with the idea of crafting Christmas ornaments made of twigs! That’s why I made this adorable twig Christmas tree, which turned out so perfectly that I ended up make another one and documenting the process, just to make sure everyone else can see how it was done as well.
Check out these step by step instructions complete with photos! If you’d rather follow along with a video tutorial instead of written words, scroll to the bottom of this post to find just what you’re looking for.
For this project, you’ll need:
- A wooden disc
- Twigs
- A snowflake shaped sequin
- Hot glue
- Paint (white)
- A paintbrush
- Secateurs
Step 1: prep
Gather your materials!
Step 2: cut the twigs
Use your secateurs to cut your twig or twigs into smaller pieces. I kept some long, trimmed some down medium sized by cutting the, a little shorter, and also trimmed some much smaller ones, so I had a whole range of twigs in decreasing lengths.
Step 3: paint the base
Use your paintbrush and white paint to make the top surface of your wooden disc white like snow. This will be the base that your twig tree stands on. Set it aside to dry.
Step 4: make the trunk
Once your white paint has dried, apply hot glue in the center of your wooden disc. Then stick a piece of twig down on its end so it stands up. This will be your twig’ tree’s trunk. I chose a piece that was a little shorter and thicker.
Step 5: start the shape
Apply glue on the top end of your trunk twig and stick another twig piece down horizontally on top, so the two sit perpendicularly. I chose one of the longer pieces.
Step 6: stack
Apply glue on that horizontal twig in the center and stick down another twig, around the same size or a little smaller. Turn the twig slightly so it sits at a slightly different angle than the first one. Repeat this process over and over, building the tree upwards and turning each piece as you stick it down so that all the ends show at different angles and create a shape like tree branches all the way around. You’ll also decrease the size of your twigs as you work your way upwards, sticking down a smaller piece each time the way a tree actually tapers.
Step 7: add details
Apply glue to the center of your last, top twig and stick the top of your snowflake sequin down there, so it sticks upwards like a star on top of a Christmas tree.
You’re all finished! I made several trees and set them all along my mantel. Just in case you’d like to try this project out for yourself, here’s a fantastic tutorial video to help you!
