Homemade Tree Seals

Homemade tree seals symbolize the magic of Christmas.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the first written record of a Christmas tree was in 1510. Men from a merchants' guild in Latvia placed a tree in the central square decorated with roses, the symbol of the Virgin Mary. By the 1700s, it was common in Germany to buy trees and decorate them with edible apples, gilded with nuts and red stripes. Making your own homemade tree seals for packages and gifts can help you share the magic of the season.

Things You'll Need

• Green felt (other colors optional)
• Felt glue
• White fabric pencil
• Fabric scissors

Instructions

1. Draw any kind of tree or Christmas tree on a piece of paper. If it is for an envelope, stay within a 2-inch area. For packages and gifts, your tree seal can be larger.

2. Cut out your drawn tree, and place it on your green felt. This serves as the stencil for all your seals. Using your fabric pencil, trace the stencil onto the felt.

3. Glue it onto your envelope or gift to give it a special look. You can easily embellish it with glitter glue, other felt pieces, and more.

Tips & Warnings

• Alternatively, use a rubber stamp with a pre-made image of a tree instead of a drawn stencil.

• You can also stamp onto small stickers if you need only envelope seals.

• Wool felt works better in craft projects than synthetic wool. If you don't want to spend too much, use a wool blend.

• Use a thinner grade felt for envelopes.

• Make sure the glue is completely dry before mailing any packages or envelopes with your tree seals.

References

• Martha Stewart: Mistletoe Seals
• 123 Stitch: Christmas Tree Rubber Stamps

Resources

• National Christmas Tree Association: History of Christmas Tree