How to Make a Christmas Tree Craft with Cardboard and Buttons

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make a template

   First, create your template by drawing a simple Christmas tree shape on your paper or cardstock. Cut it out and either fold or cut it in half along the center line.

2. Trace the trees

   Next, trace your template onto sturdy, corrugated cardboard. You’ll want one full tree and two half trees for each 3D Christmas tree you make.
   
   

3. Cut the tree shapes

   Use the utility knife with a fresh, sharp blade to cut out the cardboard tree shapes. (Adults only, of course.)
   
   Note :: You’ll want to protect your work surface with a cutting mat or another piece of cardboard so you don’t cut your table or floor or whatever.
   
   

4. Glue the trees together

   Use a hot glue gun to glue the half trees to the center of each side of the full cardboard tree.
   
   I ran a line of glue down the center of the tree, positioned the half tree along the glue line, then held it in place while I ran a second line of glue along the base of the half tree on either side. (Does that make sense?)
   
   

5. Add paint!

   Paint your new 3D cardboard trees green or any color you desire.
   
   
   
   Any kind of paint will do; you could use tempera, BioColors, or acrylic.
   
   

6. Decorate your tree!

   Once the paint is dry, bring out your buttons…
   
   I found these cute little jars of colorful buttons at a local vintage shop (The Screen Door) and was planning to give them as gifts but then brought them out early for this Christmas tree craft.
   
   
   
   Maia and Daphne loved sorting and trading their buttons… As always. They do this with buttons, beads, stickers, shells, rocks, marbles, and any other little treasures.
   
   
   
   Use a hot glue gun to glue your buttons to the cardboard Christmas tree.
   
   You could probably also use a bottle of white school glue, but might need to work on sections at a time, keeping the buttons relatively flat while the glue dries.