A magazine Christmas tree is a simple, eco-friendly holiday project that adds a festive touch to any space! Learn how to make this unique decor in a few easy steps.

Ever looked at that stack of old magazines and thought, “I should really do something with these besides let them collect dust”? Well, have I got a holiday hack for you: the magazine Christmas tree.

This tree is exactly what it sounds like. And before you start thinking you need the crafting skills of Martha Stewart to pull this off, let me tell you, if you can fold a piece of paper, you’re basically halfway there.

Welcome to the ultimate beginner-friendly, upcycle-extraordinaire project that’s going to take your holiday decor from “been there, done that” to “how did you even think of that?” We’re going to turn those glossy pages into a festive masterpiece.

Here’s the situation: old magazines are out there in thrift stores just waiting for a second chance, and I thought, why not give them a glorious comeback?

So, I set out to craft a Christmas tree for my mom’s mantel, and let me tell you, the result was so cool, I’m seriously considering starting a small forest in my living room.

This is not your average holiday craft. You’ll be folding, spraying, and gluing your way to a unique piece of decor that’s sure to be a conversation starter.

All you need are a couple of magazines of the same size (because symmetry), a dowel for spine support, a wood slice for that rustic touch, a bit of spray paint, and some shiny pearls to jazz things up.

And here’s the best part: you can make this tree as unique as you are. Keep it minimalist, go wild with colors, or even use book pages for that literary vibe. The sky’s the limit.

So, why stick to the same old decorations when you can create something totally out-of-the-box this holiday season?

Scroll down, and I’ll show you how to make your very own magazine Christmas tree. Because in a world of cookie-cutter Christmas decor, we could all use a bit more creativity.

Gather These Supplies

Magazines, 2 per tree (make sure both mags have the same dimensions)
Dowel rod (at least 1/2 inch diameter)
Round wood slice
Pearls
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Spray paint

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Magazine Christmas Tree

Create a unique Christmas tree from old magazines! This eco-friendly DIY tutorial transforms your holiday decor with a creative twist.

Prep Time20

Active Time3 30

Total Time3 50

Type: Christmas Crafts

Yield: tree

Cost: $3

Equipment

Materials

2 Magazine(s) for one tree – make sure they have the same dimensions
1 Dowel rod(s) at least 1/2 inch diameter
1 Round wood slice
Pearls
Spray paint

Instructions

Create the Tree Top

Start with one magazine open to the middle. Take the top right corner of the right page and bring it down to the center to create a triangle shape. Use a bone folder to help with folding to create a crisp, clean fold.
Next take the long side of the page and bring it down to the center of the magazine, and smooth. Again, use a bone folder to help with folding.
Fold the excess flap so the bottom edge of the folded piece lines up with the bottom edge of the magazine.
Open the folded page and fold the excess flap the other way and tuck it between the folded page for a cleaner triangle.
Repeat until you have folded all the magazine pages. One magazine is enough for half a tree, so you will need to fold two (or three for a fuller tree) to create one tree.
Spray paint each half tree with the color of your choice. Spray light, even coats and let dry in between and spray until you are happy with the coverage. For mine, I wanted to cover most of the edges and some of the insides for a cleaner look, but I didn’t cover each individual page.

Create the Base

Use a round wood slice and a thick dowel to create the base and stand of the tree. Hot glue the bottom of the dowel onto the center of the wood slice and hold it in place until it dries.

Assemble the Tree

Assemble the tree by using hot glue and attaching the dowel onto the backside of the folded half tree, and make sure it is centered on the spine. Let that dry.
Once dry, glue the other side of the magazine tree, centered on the spine, and hold it in place until it does not slide down anymore.
Finally, decorate your tree with whatever embellishments you’d like. I used half pearls and hot glued them sporadically for a minimalist and elegant look.

Notes

At the end of the project, you can choose to spray paint again to cover the dowel for a cleaner and more polished look. I found that it is not as noticeable since it is between the folds of the tree.

Did you enjoy this project? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other cute holiday ideas: