Ready to make your own book page Christmas tree craft? All you’ll need is a short list of supplies and, of course, a book to make a set of three pretty trees perfect for the holidays and winter season.
Hey there friends. If you’re like me, you are a lover of libraries and books.
However, for this book page craft idea we’re going to have to dismantle one. 😱
Don’t worry though, because a regular old book is going to turn into three pretty trees that you can keep up for Christmas and even through the winter season.
I purchased the book I am using at Dollar Tree for $1.25, but you can even use an old book you have at your home already.
If you do that, and have a glue gun and scissors on hand, then this craft is basically free! Which is, of course, the best kind of DIY.
Read on for this tutorial on how to make this simple Christmas tree book page craft.
Paper Tree DIY List of Supplies
- Book
- Glue Gun
- Scissors
- Fingernail Scissors
- Pencil
- Free Tree Printables
Just for reference, the book I purchased at Dollar Tree was 9 and 1/2 inches tall by 6 and 1/4 inches wide.
And was about 300 pages long.
Dismantle Your Book
First things first, you have to rip the cover off the book. Grit your teeth, I have a hard time destroying books.
Then, rip the first few pages and last few pages off too, basically to where the words start. I didn’t want any blank pages on my trees.
Next, rip the book into three parts that have about 100 pages each, since we are making three trees.
Make sure the binding is keeping your pages connected as you pull them apart.
Print Out Three Tree Free Printables
Just for reference, because each printer is different. My printer scale was just set to default. But just so you know the size of each tree.
The large one was a little over 7.5 inches, the medium one was a little over 5.5 inches and the small one was about 4 inches high.
Print and cut out your three tree printables.
Fold each tree in half.
Place the folded edge next to the edge of your book where the binding is.
Use a pencil to trace along the edge of each tree.
Here’s where I thought, I might be in trouble, because the little tree didn’t have a lot of words on it. However, I had to keep it near the edge where the binding is.
Cut Out the Trees One at a Time
Working with about 10-15 pages at a time cut out your trees. I used both the regular and fingernail scissors to do this.
I only traced the trees initially using the pencil. After that, I just followed along the lines that I had previously cut out.
It was easier to get into the smaller areas such as below the boughs of the tree using the fingernail scissors.
When you get to the top of the tree, just rip off the remaining part of the book that you’re not using. Recycle as able. 😉
Keep working and cutting out the 10-15 pages until the tree is finished.
Trim the remaining top and bottom of the tree as needed. Here’s the smallest tree after being cut out of the book.
Heat Up the Glue Gun and Gently Open the Tree Up
Next, you’ll get out the trusty glue gun and gently open the pages up. Be sure that you’re not tearing the binding of the book.
Glue along the binding and then press the pages into your tree shape, gluing the binding to itself.
Next take the first and last pages and glue them to each other to make the 3D shape.
After you glue the pages together, you’ll have to work the pages open so that some aren’t sticking too close together.
It helps to hold the top of the tree with one hand and run your fingernail along the inner part of the page all the way down to the bottom.
You may also have to trim the bottom of the tree so that it sits flat without tilting.
And the top of the small tree.
Now that you’re finished with the little tree, it’s time to create the large and medium sized paper trees.
Follow the same steps. I timed myself with the medium sized tree and it took about 8 minutes to cut the tree out of the book.
I snapped a few pics while I was creating the other trees, but just follow the same steps as with the small one.
Below are two pics of the medium tree.
And a few pics of the large tree being made…
And here are the three paper trees all completed!
Final Thoughts on this Book Page Paper Tree DIY
Trees are one of my favorite things to make for the holiday season, and this paper tree craft turned out better than I expected.
It doesn’t take long to make a set of these three trees, and they would make cute homemade Christmas gifts for family and friends.
The free printables of three different trees make this a budget friendly home decor idea. If you have an old book, glue gun and scissors on hand then you can make one for free!
And if not, thrift stores have many old inexpensive books to purchase, and you can’t beat the dollar store having them for $1.25 either.
Any questions, post them down in the comments. And, as always, thanks so much for reading!
So, now who’s ready to grab an old book, or even one from the dollar store, and try out this paper tree craft idea perfect for pretty and neutral holiday decor?
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