Just because Christmas is a holiday filled with traditions does not mean your Christmas tree has to be traditional. People everywhere are creating DIY Christmas trees.
Without taking up much space or breaking your bank account, you can make your Christmas tree the centerpiece of conversation. Here are four ways to deck your space by making a DIY Christmas tree.
Let’s start with the one item that is readily available to any college student: paper. A paper tree can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it. To make a simple paper tree, all you need is construction paper in a color of your choice. Fold the paper into diagonal triangles; then, get a pair of scissors and cut a pattern into the paper. Instead of totally unfolding the paper like a snowflake, leave the paper with a pointed top. For those of you looking for a challenge, you can make a paper tree out of a book. Simply fold in the pages in the center of the book on a diagonal. Top the folded pages with a construction paper star.
Now let’s move on to trees you can make out of candy canes. Use as many packages of candy canes as you want, turning them upside down to form a tree. If you want to make a taller tree, buy a Styrofoam cone and glue the candy canes up the tree at different levels. Be creative and use fun-flavored candy canes for added color.
For those of you looking for more of a challenge but are on a budget, you might want to utilize a pack of Christmas lights to form a tree on your wall. You will need some Command Strip Hooks, one box of Christmas lights and a star made out of paper. Start by plotting out how tall you want your tree to be and use the Command Strip Hooks in a zig-zag pattern going down the wall to form the base. Next, start at the top with the end of the lights down your Command Strips. Then, use some construction paper to make a star to cover the tail end of the Christmas lights. Finally, plug in the Christmas lights, sit back and enjoy.
Finally, if all else fails, go into nature and find a large branch or a mix of branches. Put the branch or branches into a tall pot or vase and fill the bottom with loose rocks mixed with ornaments. Use the remainder of the ornaments to decorate the branches. You can also put Christmas lights on the branches. After Christmas, take off the ornaments and leave the lights on the branches. Now you have a statement piece for the rest of the year.
Thinking beyond the traditional Christmas tree just takes a little creativity. Once you get going, you will see the possibilities of Christmas tree materials everywhere. Books, photos, ribbons and even ladders can be repurposed to make a Christmas tree that will be a centerpiece of conversation this holiday season.
