Budget-Friendly Craft: DIY Handmade Christmas Tree with Ribbon
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Looking to spruce up your Christmas decor without spending a fortune? This DIY Christmas tree tutorial is just the thing! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions to create a cute handmade Christmas tree using ribbon and a few simple supplies. It’s an easy, budget-friendly craft that’ll add a personal touch to your holiday decorations. Whether you’re a crafting pro or just looking for something fun to try, this project will help bring some festive cheer to your home.
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Materials Needed For This DIY Christmas Tree
Here’s a quick list of materials you’ll need—most of which you can easily find at your local craft store or even the dollar store!
- 3 kitchen funnels of varying sizes- Set of kitchen funnels
- Styrofoam balls (small enough to fit inside the largest funnel’s opening)
- Hot Glue Gun and glue sticks
- Ribbon (various colors and textures) Alternatively, you could use strips of fabric
- Ribbon spool (for base) or alternative base like a soup can or tuna can
- Optional: Spray paint (to coordinate the ribbon spool with your decor)
- Decorative topper and small ornaments (like a star or bells.)
Step By Step Instructions For Creating The Tree
Prepare the Funnels:
• Choose three kitchen funnels of different sizes. The smallest funnel will go on top, and the largest will be at the bottom.
Create the Base:
• Insert a foam ball onto the tip of the largest funnel. The foam ball acts as a base to help prevent the next funnel from tipping over.
Stack the Funnels:
• Apply a bead of hot glue around the foam ball. Quickly place the next smaller funnel on top, pressing gently to secure.
• Repeat this step, stacking the third and final funnel on top of the second until the “tree” is three funnels high.
Elevate the Tree:
• Use the spool of ribbon as the base for the tree, elevating it off your work surface. For a coordinated look, you can spray paint the spool to match your decor.
• Alternatively, you can use a soup can or a shallow tuna can for a different look.
Prepare the Ribbon:
• Do not cut the ribbon from the spool. Start with the bottom funnel and apply a 3-inch bead of hot glue along the bottom edge.
• Immediately place the ribbon on the glued area, pinching it to create a small ruffle as you go. Work quickly while the glue is still warm.
Wrap the Tree:
• Continue gluing and pinching the ribbon around the bottom funnel, creating ruffles as you move around the tree.
• Once you finish the first funnel, move up to the next funnel. Apply glue and repeat the process, working your way to the top in one continuous piece of ribbon. Be sure the next round of ribbon overlaps the previous one slightly to cover the glued edges.
Finish at the Top:
• When you reach the top funnel, pinch the ribbon together and glue it to create a point, giving it a Christmas Tree shape.
Embellish the Tree:
• Add your desired decorations, such as a topper (star, bow, etc.) and dangling bell ornaments for extra festive charm.
Tips For Customizing And Adding Personal Touches
To make your ribbon tree uniquely yours, get creative with your embellishments. Add a personalized topper, such as a handmade star or a festive bow, and hang small bell ornaments for a charming effect. You can also incorporate pine cones, fairy lights, or ornaments crafted from special scrapbook papers to reflect your style. For a playful touch, use pom-poms as ornaments or even create custom mini-decorations that represent your family’s personality. These small, personal touches will make your tree truly one-of-a-kind.
Ideas For Displaying And Using The Finished DIY Christmas tree
Once your ribbon tree is complete, there are many creative ways to display it around your home. Place the tree in a charming tiny pot, or a pretty teacup, even poke it out of a Santa mug for a whimsical touch. To create a festive vignette, surround the tree with tiny wrapped gifts or other holiday trinkets. You can also showcase it on a shelf, turning it into a delightful hanging ornament or adding it to your mantel for extra holiday cheer. Wherever you place it, the finished ribbon tree will add a unique, personalized touch to your holiday decor.
Alternative Christmas Tree Forms
Since I created this DIY ribbon tree, the availability of tree forms has significantly expanded. Now, you can easily achieve the same look by using tree forms that are not only readily available at most craft stores but also at your local dollar store. These tree forms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, including cardboard Christmas trees, Styrofoam forms, and many others, which makes it even easier to create a personalized ribbon tree that reflects your unique style and flair. Whether you opt for a sturdy cardboard base or a lightweight Styrofoam form, you’ll undoubtedly have the perfect foundation for your creative ribbon design.
Other Christmas Tree Crafty Ideas
If you’re looking for more fun and creative DIY Christmas tree ideas, there are plenty of unique projects to explore! For a whimsical and budget-friendly option, try creating a tree from plastic spoons, as seen in this DIY Christmas Tree Spoon Craft. Or, get playful with a funky twist by crafting ugly sweater trees, perfect for a quirky holiday display. If you’re a fan of succulents, this Dollar Tree Succulent Christmas Tree offers a trendy and nature-inspired approach. For a colorful, textured option, consider making tissue paper holiday trees, which can be customized to fit any color scheme. These ideas are all great ways to add a personal and creative touch to your holiday decor!
FAQ
Christmas trees, cherished for centuries, symbolize the holiday spirit and bring joy to homes worldwide. Originating from ancient customs, decorated evergreens represented eternal life and became central to family celebrations. Over time, they evolved into festive centrepieces adorned with lights, ornaments, and gifts, symbolizing warmth, togetherness, and the spirit of giving. Whether real or artificial, Christmas trees create cherished memories and holiday magic, as explored in The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Caring for a Real Christmas Tree.
To fluff a Dollar Tree Christmas tree and make it look fuller, start by gently separating and bending the branches of the tree, working from the bottom to the top to create a more natural, spread-out shape. Focus on the tips of each branch, pulling them outward and upward to fill in any gaps. If the tree still looks thin, you can enhance its fullness by purchasing a garland from Dollar Tree. Simply wrap the garland around the base of the tree to hide the center post, which will add volume and create a more lush, full appearance. This simple addition can make a significant difference in achieving a fuller, more balanced look for your tree.
Putting up a Christmas tree by yourself is totally doable! For an artificial tree, start with the base and fluff branches, spreading each layer before adding the next. Continue adding layers, working your way up. For the top section, use a ladder depending on tree size. Real trees require a few extra steps—check out The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Caring for a Real Christmas Tree. for detailed tips.
If a ribbon tree like the one in this post doesn’t work for you, here are a couple of other easy mini-Christmas tree ideas:
-Foam Cone Tree – Begin with a small foam cone, cover it with green tissue paper, felt, or artificial greenery, then embellish with mini ornaments, beads, or ribbon for a quick, full-looking mini tree.
-Cardboard Cone Tree – Make your own cone by rolling up cardboard, then cover it with fabric, wrapping paper, or decorative scrapbooking paper. Add small ornaments, glitter, or a ribbon garland for a personalized touch.
-Mini Potted Tree – Decorate a small potted plant like a Norfolk pine with tiny lights, ornaments, and a bow or star at the top for a natural, manageable tree.
Branch Tree – Arrange small twigs or branches in a vase to create a simple, rustic tree. Adorn the branches with tiny ornaments, fairy lights, and a star or bow for a minimalist, nature-inspired tree.
-Handmade Bottle Brush Trees – Create your own handmade bottle brush trees using yarn, twine, or rope for a crafty, whimsical addition to your holiday decor. These mini trees are perfect for adding a personal touch to your festive space.
I love those! Must get some of that ribbon!
Fantastic idea!! I can’t get over how expensive cones are at craft stores. I won’t even get into wreath molds but the pool noodle solved that one.
I saw the pool noodle trick, but didn’t like the diameter. You can get 6′ of pipe insulation from the plumbing department at Lowes for around $2. It is scored, so I made sure that was on the inside. Three pieces of duct tape and $1 of tulle and I saved myself $9.
Super cute!
What a great idea! Cheap, and they are way cuter than most trees out there!
Wicked idea!
Oh my gosh, what a brilliant idea. They look super classy too. I don’t have any of the ribbon spools, but I have seen spools available at the Dollar Store, so that’s a PLUS. I haven’t seen any funnels though, so I’ll have to take a closer look.
Where did you get the stars?
Thanks Hollie, The little stars are something I had in my scrapbooking stash. They are Jolees boutique. Maybe you could find something similar at Michaels. Funnels are something you never see until you have a reason to look for them!
OMG, this must be the simplest (and cheapest) christmas tree I can ever built!! So smart! 😀
Thanks! Certainly the cheapest!
That is such a great idea Virginia! Pinning:)
These are adorable! Pinning until I round up so e funnels and find the perfect way to decorate them!
My local Dollar Tree carried a bundle of funnels ( 6) for a DOLLAR ! I am going to make a whole forest of these sweet little trees. I am using various burlap pieces that I already have and some ticking. Thank you for sharing this with us !
Thats great news! I’m SO glad you can use the idea, 6 for 1$ is an amazing funnel deal, lucky lady!
I am so in love with this, I can’t even tell you!!! It looks straight out of Pottery Barn, yet so easy to make! I will definitely be making these this holiday season!
Thanks Christina! I’d love to see yours when your done, link them up to FB!
Oh, how cute! My name is Katie and I host Fall Into the Holidays, now open. All entries get pinned. I would love to have you link up! This week’s round is still open!
You’re brilliant! I would have never considered funnels!
Amazing idea! They are beautiful and definitely on my to do list this week!
Gorgeous and affordable! What’s not to like? Thanks for the great idea, keep them coming for the craft challenged like me. 🙂
I think these turned out better than the ones you did last year! Not to say that those ones weren’t nice as well.
Thanks Susanna, I do too! So easy, and cheap!!
What a FABULOUS idea Virginia!! Genius!! They turned out sooooo cute!!!!
I LOVE this idea! I have pinned it to my “children” Pinterest board, too. I am always on the lookout for crafts for kiddos!
Very, very pretty. I would never thought of funnels.
I love your Xmas trees, so beautiful and creative!!! Pinned:)
Would you like to share it at Foodies & Crafties Soirée http://goo.gl/lfsJGS?
Gosia | Kiddie Foodies
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
Is the ribbon hot-glued on? Is it all one piece wrapped around, or is each layer separate?
Hi Erin, the ribbon is hot glued around, it is one long piece continually wrapped around starting at the bottom. Happy creating
Hi Virginia, today I am going to do some Christmas crafting and lots of your recent ideas are on my list to do 🙂 For these trees did you sew the ribbon first to make it ruffled or just ruffle it with the glue? Thanks for all the awesome inspiration – love your ideas!!
So happy to hear Jenny! I just ran a line of glue onto the funnel, laid the ribbon on the glue and pinched it into pleats. Only squirt about a 2″line of glue though because you have to work quickly once you put the ribbon on. Good luck, happy crafting!
Great idea I’ll give it a go:~]
What an awesome idea! How much in total would it be to create this? Less than $5.00? I love doing arts and crafts.
For sure less than 5! Especially if you used fabric scraps rather than ribbon!
Can’t help but notice the adorable candy cane striped garland with little Pom pons in the background of your super cute trees. Did you make it? Are there instructions for that as well?:)
Thanks, I haven’t done a tutorial yet, it was the first I tried. Martha Stewart has a great tutorial for creating felted balls, then I simply stung them with bakers twine! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh-My-Gosh are these not the cutest trees I have seen, “with funnels” ? How fun is this!!! You have some really cute and clever ideas, Im in love!
Thanks for stopping by, I’m gald you found some ideas that caught your eye!
Hi Virginia,
What an awesome idea. I have a few questions, I’m planning to make and use these cute little trees as centerpieces.
How did you secure the cones atop one another? Did you only use a hot clue gun? I’m a little blond so I need the details, as I am more of a visual learning. Also, how much ribbon did you use? Which is better ribbon or fabric?
Thanks again for sharing.
THANKS! I put a Styrofoam ball on top of each funnel, then used hot glue to adhere them together. fabric and ribbon will both give you different looks. Good luck!
What is the material actually? Ribbon gathered by sewing machine? I must have missed something?
its just ribbon that is bunched while you’re gluing it down, just make pleats as you go.
How lucky I am found this DIY just before the Christmas and I believe this is going to be helpful for making my day and I will be busy all the day. With that I have my birthday and this will be aha moment for me when someone arrive and find this idea that I will create at home.