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recycled magazine christmas tree
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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.
Course Christmas Crafts
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings 1 tree
Cost $3

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 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.
    Take Top Right Corner of Magazine and Bring to Lerft Edge to Create Triangle
  • 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 page in toward the center a second time
  • Fold the excess flap so the bottom edge of the folded piece lines up with the bottom edge of the magazine.
    Fold Excess Flap at Bottom Edge
  • Open the folded page and fold the excess flap the other way and tuck it between the folded page for a cleaner triangle.
    Fold flap back and tuck into the folded 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.
    Folded Christmas Tree Magazine Pages
  • 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.
    Spray Paint Magazine Tree

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.
    Create Base of Tree

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.
    Glue Dowel onto the Back of Magazine Tree
  • 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.
    Glue the Other Side of the Magazine Tree
  • 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.
    Glue Pearls on Tree

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.