Paper Christmas Tree DIY

This Paper Christmas Tree DIY is a fun and easy holiday craft made with simple cupcake liners. These charming little Christmas trees are inexpensive to make and look so pretty displayed on a mantel, shelf, or holiday table. They’re a lovely way to add a handmade touch to your Christmas decorations.

I love how these little paper Christmas trees look so delicate, yet they’re surprisingly easy to make. All you need are a few simple supplies and some cupcake liners to create these pretty layered trees. I’ll walk you through the steps so you can make your own!

Coming up with this project took a little longer than I expected! I originally had another Christmas craft planned and even photographed it, but I decided not to share it because it was too complicated. I really wanted something simple that everyone could enjoy making.

That’s when I came up with these cupcake liner Christmas trees! I started with plain white cupcake liners and loved how delicate and pretty the finished tree looked. Then I ordered green liners and made an ombré version, which turned out just as cute. You can easily change the look by using different colors and patterns.

I’m so happy with how these little trees turned out, especially after all the experimenting!

And if you love tabletop Christmas trees as much as I do, be sure to check out the beautiful projects from my blogging friends at the end of this post.

Why You’ll Love This DIY Paper Tree

One of my favorite things about this project is that you only need four basic materials. Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s mostly a matter of folding cupcake liners and gluing them onto a Styrofoam cone. Here are a few more reasons to love this Christmas craft!

It’s Budget-Friendly

Cupcake liners and Styrofoam cones are inexpensive, so you can make several trees without spending much money.

Simple to Make

The folding technique is easy to learn, and you don’t need any special crafting skills to create a beautiful finished tree.

Fully Customizable

Choose white cupcake liners for a classic look, green shades for an ombré effect, or patterned liners to coordinate with your Christmas decorations.

Kid-Friendly Craft

Kids can help fold the cupcake liners and choose colors, making this a fun project to work on together. An adult should handle the hot glue gun.

Versatile Décor

Display your finished trees on a mantel, arrange several on a holiday table, or tuck one into a Christmas vignette.

How to Make a 3D Christmas Tree

Supplies for Paper Christmas Tree DIY

Cupcake Liners: White or green (I used approximately 77 cupcake liners for one tree.)

Styrofoam Cone: I used a 6-inch cone.

Cordless Glue Gun: For attaching the folded cupcake liners to the cone.

Wooden Block: Optional, for displaying your finished tree.

Step-by-Step Paper Christmas Tree

Step 1 – Fold the Cupcake Liners

Fold a cupcake liner in half, then fold it in half three more times until you have a small triangle shape. Repeat with the remaining cupcake liners until you have enough folded pieces to cover your tree.

Step 2 – Secure the Folds

Before attaching the cupcake liners to the Styrofoam cone, add a small dot of hot glue between each fold near the center to hold the layers together. Let the glue cool and set before moving on to the next step.

Step 3 – Attach the First Row

Using a hot glue gun, attach the folded cupcake liners around the bottom of the Styrofoam cone. Place them side by side, keeping the bottom edges even to create a neat first row.

Step 4 – Build the Second Row

Attach the second row of folded cupcake liners just above the first, overlapping them so that about half of the bottom row remains visible. Stagger the liners by positioning each one between two liners in the row below.

Step 5 – Continue Adding Rows

Continue adding rows of folded cupcake liners, overlapping and staggering each one to create a layered effect. Work your way up the cone until you reach the top. Depending on the size of your cone, you’ll need approximately six to eight rows.

Step 6 – Finish the Top

To finish your Christmas tree, carefully glue one final folded cupcake liner to the top of the cone. You can also add a small star or pom-pom if you like.

For a little extra height, glue the bottom of your tree to a wooden block or thread spool. This is completely optional, and the tree looks just as pretty sitting directly on a tabletop.

Step 7 – Customize Your Paper Christmas Tree

Once your tree is assembled, gently fluff and adjust the cupcake liners to create a fuller appearance. You can leave your tree as it is or decorate it with a little glitter, miniature ornaments, or ribbon.

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More DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree Ideas

Every Christmas, I love making a new version of a tabletop Christmas tree. It’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions! Over the years, I’ve experimented with different materials, colors, and styles, and I love how each tree turns out a little differently.

If you enjoyed making this paper Christmas tree, here are a few more of my favorite DIY Christmas tree projects to try!

• DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree
• Vintage Tinsel Tree DIY
• How to Make a Fleece Cone Christmas Tree
• Feather Tree DIY: An Easy Project

I hope you have as much fun making these little paper Christmas trees as I did! I especially love the white ones because they look so delicate and pretty, almost like little snowy Christmas trees. And they’re such a sweet addition to a mantel, holiday table, or Christmas centerpiece.

I might have to make a few more this year in different colors! There’s something special about filling your home with Christmas decorations you’ve made yourself.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Blogger’s Best DIY Holiday Table Top Trees

If you’re looking for more handmade Christmas tree ideas, my blogging friends have some beautiful projects to share! From natural driftwood to elegant white ferns, these creative tabletop trees are wonderful inspiration for your holiday decorating.

How to Make a Driftwood Christmas Tree | Most Lovely Things

This charming driftwood Christmas tree brings a natural, coastal feel to holiday decorating. I love how the collected pieces of driftwood create such a simple and beautiful handmade tree.

DIY White Christmas Fern Tabletop Tree | My 100 Year Old Home

These elegant white fern Christmas trees are such a pretty alternative to traditional tabletop trees. Their delicate branches and snowy appearance make them perfect for a winter-inspired display.

Metal Tabletop Christmas Tree | Craftberry Bush

This beautiful DIY metal-look Christmas tree has such an elegant, sculptural design. It’s a lovely way to add a little sparkle to a mantel, sideboard, or holiday table.

Gingerbread Christmas Tabletop Tree: A DIY Makeover | My Sweet Savannah

I love this creative makeover of a thrifted Christmas tree! The gingerbread-inspired details give it a cozy, vintage feel that’s perfect for holiday decorating.