Graduated lengths of popsicle sticks were covered with washi tape then shaped to form a Christmas tree. On top is an origami star.
We made three of these and one is already hanging on the tree. Graduated lengths of popsicle sticks were covered with washi tape then shaped to form a Christmas tree. On top is an origami star adorned with a festive green ribbon.
It’s been years since the girls and I sat down together to do crafts projects. When I decided to revive my interest in crafts this year, it was Alex who initially volunteered to work with me. She was just as excited as I was. There’s an oversized coffee table in my study that we use for crafts projects. We just throw cushions on the floor to sit on.
Last night, Sam joined us. Oh, goody! Just like the good old days. It’s a beautiful experience, really, to sit down with my grown-up daughters and do crafts that school graders do. Like an early Christmas gift for me. We were watching “Despicable Me” in the background to drown out the ear-splitting karaoke party a few houses away. Sam and Alex both had their phone in front of them, on silent mode, to follow origami tutorials on Youtube. On the couch, Speedy had a tray of jams and crackers.
Anyway… About the popsicle sticks and washi tape Christmas tree ornaments…
The size of the Christmas tree ornaments may, of course be adjusted. Even the number of branches can be more or less than five. It’s up to you how closer the branches are to each other and how long the trunk of the tree should be.
For my popsicle sticks and washi tape Christmas tree ornaments, I used ordinary popsicle sticks. Not fat ones the size of tongue depressors. Not extra long ones either. Just the kind that you can get from the grocery store for making ice drop.
I used kitchen shears to cut off the rounded ends of the popsicle sticks. The length of the tree trunk is the exact length of a popsicle stick minus the rounded ends.
For the branches, I used five popsicle sticks. The shortest one on top is 4 cm in length; the longest one on the bottom measures 8 cm.
For contrast, I used two washi tapes per tree: one in solid color and the other with print.
I think that a step-by-step tutorial would be superfluous here. Just look at the photos and you’ll figure out how to make these ornaments. On important tip, however: You’ll need glue stick and a glue gun to put everything together. Water-based glue won’t work. I tried and then switched to a glue gun.
How to make the origami star is not self-explanatory nor self-evident. Alex made them by following the tutorial in a Youtube video.
Once you’ve put together the Christmas tree and you have your stars, use glue stick to attach the back of a star to one end of a toothpick. Glue the other end of the toothpick at the back of the Christmas tree. Optionally, make a ribbon and glue it right below the origami star.
Popsicle Sticks and Washi Tape Coaster