How to Make Homemade Christmas Tree Topper Decorations

Christmas trees are often the focal point of holiday decoration.

While it's most common nowadays to adorn one's Christmas tree using decorations purchased at a store, the old-time tradition of creating your own ornaments is still treasured by many. If you've already mastered the art of making your own popcorn strings and hanging decorations, the only thing your tree is in need of is a finishing touch: the tree topper. Help set the holiday mood by topping off your tree with a classic golden star.

Things You'll Need

• Black magic marker
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Yellow or orange craft foam
• Tacky craft glue
• Spray adhesive
• Glitter

Instructions

1. Use a black marker to draw a circle 14 inches in diameter on a large sheet of newspaper. At the center of this circle, draw another circle 3 inches across. Cut out the large circle, then cut the smaller circle out of the middle by cutting straight in from the edge of the larger circle; this will create a pattern for the cone shape that will attach to the tree.

2. Create a five-pointed star pattern at least 5 inches high by either drawing it freehand or using a clip art pattern (see the link below; re-size if necessary). Position the star with one arm pointing straight up; on the opposite side, draw a 3-inch rectangular tab between the bottom two arms.

3. Trace and cut out both pattern shapes from craft foam.

4. Assemble the cone by applying tacky glue to the ends of the line cut from the outside of the circle. Place glue on the outside of one and the inside of the other so that you can meet them up and glue them with a slight overlap. Wrap a piece of masking tape over this seam, inside and out, to hold it together while the glue dries, then remove.

5. Attach the star to the cone by applying glue to one side of the "tab" section beneath the star and insert it into the open top of the cylinder. Press the side of the tab with the glue on it against the inside of the cone to secure it. Let the glue dry (you can do all of this while the glue from the previous step is drying).

6. Spray paint the topper with brass- or bronze-colored spray paint. Apply a second coat after the first dries.

7. Coat the topper with spray adhesive, then sprinkle with glitter before the adhesive dries.

8. Finish the topper with a fixative spray.

References

• "Easy-To-Do Holiday Crafts From Everyday Household Items!: Including Crafts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Every Day of the Year"; Sharon Dunn Umnik; 2005