A Creative Family Christmas Craft: Designing Art for a Holiday Tree

Cristie Vee
Dec 4, 2024
4 min read

Hi fellow Page Pioneers!

This holiday season, we decided to embark on a creative DIY project that combined art, family bonding, and a little festive cheer. Our handmade Christmas tree project was a hit, and it’s a great way to get your kids involved in holiday crafting! In this post, I’ll walk you through how we created a Christmas tree art decoration from scratch, using simple materials you probably already have at home. It’s a wonderful way to make unique holiday decor that’s full of personal meaning.

DIY Christmas Tree Craft: A Fun Family Holiday Activity

As Christmas approaches, we always look for creative family activities that are both fun and memorable. This year, we decided to make a Christmas tree decoration with a twist—a tree decorated entirely with our own artwork. It’s an easy, fun, and personal way to add homemade touches to your Christmas celebrations.

Here’s how we made our DIY Christmas tree using simple art supplies and some cardboard.

Materials Needed for the Family Craft

To get started on our family-friendly Christmas craft, we gathered a few basic supplies:

Cardboard or Foam Board: To create the base of the tree. We used cardboard, but you can easily use foam board for a sturdier structure.
Art Supplies: Markers, colored pencils, crayons, and colored paper for creating drawings and designs.
Scissors and Glue: For cutting and attaching artwork to the tree.
Mod Podge: This is a versatile craft adhesive and sealer that helps glue the artwork and gives it a glossy finish.
Paper: We used scrap paper and plain printer paper for our artwork, but any paper will work, including construction paper.
Optional: Glitter, stickers, or sequins for extra flair!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a DIY Christmas Tree from Artwork

Create the Tree Shape Start by cutting a large triangle from your cardboard. You can make this as big or small as you like, depending on how large you want your tree to be. We made ours big enough to hold all the artwork, but a smaller version would work just as well.
Draw Your Designs Here’s where the fun begins! Each family member can create their own artwork. My kids made drawings in different styles: one made a swirling, colorful abstract design, another drew bold geometric patterns, and the youngest created a beautiful paper snowflake cut-out. You can also make holiday-themed art, such as Christmas trees, Santa, snowmen, or festive patterns. Get creative!
Cut Out the Artwork Once the artwork is finished, cut it into different sizes and shapes. You can cut them into small rectangles for ornaments or leave them in larger pieces. One of my kids' snowflakes was delicate and intricate, and we left it as a larger piece to really show off the detail.
Paste the Artwork on the TreeUsing Mod Podge, glue the artwork onto your cardboard Christmas tree. Instead of cutting the designs into small pieces, we decided to paste the whole artwork directly onto the tree. This way, the tree is covered in a beautiful collection of vibrant colors and patterns. The Mod Podge helps secure everything in place and gives the tree a lovely glossy finish once it dries.
Let the Tree DryAfter all the artwork is glued down, let the tree dry completely. Once dry, it’s ready to be hung up as a handmade holiday decoration! We attached a ribbon to the top of the tree for easy hanging.

Why This DIY Christmas Tree Craft is Perfect for Families

There are many reasons why this DIY Christmas tree craft is a perfect family activity:

It’s Easy and Budget-Friendly: You don’t need expensive supplies. Most of the materials are things you likely have at home.
Encourages Creativity: It’s a great way for kids to express their creativity through drawing and crafting. You can experiment with colors, shapes, and designs!
Creates Meaningful Memories: This family craft project allows everyone to contribute something special to your holiday decorations. It’s a keepsake that holds memories of family time spent together.
Great for All Ages: Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, this craft can be customized to fit their skill level. Younger children can focus on drawing and coloring, while older kids can try more intricate designs like cut-out snowflakes.

Personalized Christmas Decor: A Holiday Tradition in the Making

The best part of this DIY Christmas tree project is that it’s not just about crafting—it’s about creating something personal and meaningful. Every time we look at the tree, we’re reminded of the fun we had making it and the creativity of each family member. It’s a fantastic way to make your Christmas decorations stand out and feel truly one-of-a-kind.

Plus, you can use this tree as a tradition! Each year, you can add new artwork to your tree or even create an entirely new craft together.

How to Display Your Handmade Christmas Tree

Once your tree is dry, you can display it in many ways:

Hang it on the wall as a fun and festive decoration.
Lean it on a mantel for a cozy holiday look.
Place it on a table as a centerpiece for your holiday gatherings.

This DIY Christmas tree project is a fantastic way to make memories with your kids and create unique holiday decor. It’s a simple craft that brings joy and warmth into your home, plus it’s a great way to spend quality time together as a family.

Final Thoughts: Start a New Family Tradition with DIY Christmas Art

If you’re looking for a fun Christmas craft that involves the whole family, this personalized DIY tree is the perfect project! It’s an easy, affordable way to get creative and add a personal touch to your holiday decorations. Whether you’re making a small art tree or a larger one, this craft will give your home that cozy, homemade holiday feeling.

Have you tried any fun holiday crafts with your kids? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your favorite holiday DIY projects and crafts.

Happy crafting and Merry Christmas from Page Pioneers Book Club!