Every December my porch turns into a cardboard warehouse.
Delivery boxes, gift boxes, cereal boxes. All of them stacked up.
This year, I’m using them. Here are 15 cardboard Christmas tree ideas, from a simple flat tree to 3D, yarn wrapped and giant versions. Three come with full step by step cards.
Quick Picks
- Easiest: Easy DIY Cardboard Christmas Tree (idea 1)
- Coziest: Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Tree (idea 3)
- Best for kids: Recycled Tree Craft (idea 14)
- Homes with cats: Cat Safe Cardboard Tree (idea 12)
1. Easy DIY Cardboard Christmas Tree
This is the tree to start with. One flat piece of cardboard, a bit of paint and a few decorations, and you have a tree in an afternoon.
Keep the shape simple, like a tall triangle with three little steps. Make it about 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide at the base. A wide stand stops it from tipping.
⏱ 1 hour💲 Low🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Green acrylic craft paint
- A large clean cardboard box
- Craft pom poms
- A ruler, a pencil, white glue and a box cutter
How to Make It
- Flatten the box and draw a tree about 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide on one panel.
- Have an adult cut it out with a box cutter, using a ruler as a guide.
- Cut two small feet from scraps and cut a slot in each so they cross.
- Paint the tree green and let it dry fully.
- Glue on pom poms and paper stars, then slot the tree into the stand.
Tip: Cardboard burns easily, so use only LED lights and keep it away from heaters and fires. An adult should handle the box cutter.
2. 3D Cardboard Christmas Tree
A 3D tree looks like a real sculpture. It’s made from two flat shapes that slot into each other, so it stands up without glue.
Cut two identical trees. Cut a slot from the top down in one, and from the bottom up in the other. Slide them together at right angles, and the tree stands on its own.
⏱ 1 hour💲 Low🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Thick corrugated cardboard sheets
- Metallic gold paint pen
- Green paint and a paintbrush
- A box cutter, a ruler and a pencil
How to Make It
- Draw one tree about 20 inches tall on cardboard and cut it out as a template.
- Trace it onto a second piece and cut both trees out.
- Cut a slot from the top down to the middle in one tree, as wide as the cardboard.
- Cut a slot from the base up to the middle in the other tree.
- Paint both green, let them dry and slide them together.
Tip: Make sure the slots are exactly as wide as the cardboard, so the fit is snug. An adult should use the box cutter, and always cut on a mat.
3. Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Christmas Tree
Yarn turns a plain cardboard cone into a cozy tree. It looks soft and handmade, and it’s cheap too.
Make a cone from cardboard, then wrap it row by row. Mix greens and creams for a little texture. Tuck the yarn ends under, and glue them down well.
⏱ 1 hour💲 Low🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Chunky green yarn
- Cream yarn
- A thick sheet of cardboard and tape
- White glue and a pair of scissors
How to Make It
- Cut a half circle from cardboard with a radius of about 16 inches.
- Roll it into a cone and tape the seam inside and out.
- Glue the end of the yarn near the base and start wrapping upward.
- Wrap each row snug against the last, and change colors for texture.
- Glue the final end under the wrap and add a small star on top.
Tip: Pets may chew yarn, and loose yarn is dangerous to cats. Glue every end down, and keep the tree out of reach. An adult should use the scissors for thick cardboard.
Printable Bundle
Christmas Printable Bundle
Christmas planner, 24 advent activity cards, 36 gift tags, handmade labels, Santa letter and family games.
4. Large and Giant Cardboard Christmas Tree
A giant tree is fun, and it doesn’t need a real one. Use big appliance boxes and stack the tiers to build a tall tree.
Make the base the widest, and cut smaller tiers as you go up. Fix them to a center pole or a strong cardboard tube. Anchor it to the wall, so nobody can pull it over.
You’ll need: large cardboard tubes and LED fairy lights battery
Best for: big rooms and dramatic displays
Printable Games
Christmas Party Games Pack
9 fun games for family, friends and office parties: trivia, charades, gift swap and more.
5. Embroidered Cardboard Christmas Tree
Cardboard takes embroidery surprisingly well. Punch holes first, then stitch pretty patterns with thread and a blunt needle.
Use thin cardboard and a pencil to mark the holes evenly. Stitch zigzags, stars or little diamonds in bright thread. It’s a calm craft, and the result looks fancy.
You’ll need: embroidery floss set and blunt tapestry needles
Best for: calm crafters and gift makers
6. Cardboard Christmas Tree Template Without a Printer
You don’t need a printer. Fold a sheet of paper in half and cut half a tree. Open it, and you have a perfect even template.
For a tall tree, use a long piece of paper, and cut steps down one side. Trace it on cardboard with a pencil. Make a few sizes, and you get a whole forest from one template.
You’ll need: large sketch paper pad
Best for: anyone without a printer
7. Mini Cardboard Christmas Tree Ornaments
Little cardboard trees make easy ornaments. Cut a dozen in one go, and everyone can have their own.
Cut trees about 3 inches tall. Paint them different colors, and glue a loop of twine to the back. Skip tiny beads for small kids, and use flat paper stars instead.
You’ll need: jute twine roll and mini wooden buttons
Best for: gift tags and tree trimming
8. How to Decorate a Cardboard Christmas Tree
Decorating a cardboard tree is easy. Glue paper stars, buttons and felt shapes right onto the surface.
Add a paper star garland for a quick sparkle. Use battery LED lights and tape them on the back. Never use real candles or hot bulbs near cardboard.
You’ll need: battery LED string lights
Best for: quick makeovers
9. Cardboard Christmas Tree Skirt and Stand
A good stand matters most. A tree that tips over is a sad tree.
Cut two wide feet with matching slots that cross. A round cardboard skirt, painted and glued on top, hides the join. Make the feet about a third as wide as the tree is tall.
You’ll need: heavy duty craft glue
Best for: stable trees
10. Cardboard Star Topper
Every tree needs a star. A cardboard star is quick, light and doesn’t weigh the tree down.
Cut two stars, glue a stick between them and paint both sides gold. Add a few dabs of glitter glue. Keep the points soft, with rounded tips, so no one gets scratched.
You’ll need: gold paint marker and glitter glue pens
Best for: finishing touches
11. Wall Cardboard Christmas Tree
A wall tree saves space. It’s great for small rooms, and it never drops needles.
Make layered triangles in three shades of green and glue them onto a backing. Use removable hooks or strips, not nails. Add LED fairy lights and tape them on carefully.
You’ll need: removable wall hanging strips
Best for: small rooms and renters
12. Cat Safe Cardboard Christmas Tree
Cats love Christmas trees. A tree made of cardboard is cheaper to replace, but you still need to keep it safe.
Skip tinsel, yarn tails and dangling ornaments. Cats can swallow them, and they can cause serious problems. Glue everything on flat with non toxic glue, and put the tree up high or in a room cats can’t enter.
You’ll need: non toxic craft glue
Best for: homes with cats
13. Painted Cardboard Christmas Tree
Paint changes everything. An ombre from dark green to light green looks like a designer tree.
Prime the cardboard first with white paint so the color shows up. Paint thin coats and let each dry. Add white snow tips and gold stars with a small brush.
You’ll need: white acrylic gesso primer
Best for: painters and color lovers
14. Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree Craft for Kids
Cereal boxes, egg cartons and paper rolls make a great tree craft. It uses things already in the recycling bin.
Kids can paint, tear paper and glue on stars. An adult should do the cutting. Use white glue and washable paint, and skip tiny beads for children under 3.
You’ll need: washable kids paint set
Best for: kids at home and recycling lovers
15. Cardboard Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
A tree advent calendar is a fun use of the shape. Each tier holds a few little pockets, one for every day.
Make 24 small pockets from paper and glue them onto the tree. Number them with a marker. Fill them with notes, stickers or wrapped sweets.
You’ll need: number stickers 1 to 24
Best for: families with kids
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a cardboard Christmas tree stand up?
Cut two feet with slots that cross, or use two interlocking tree shapes. Make the base wide, so it can’t tip.
What size should a cardboard Christmas tree be?
A table tree is about 12 to 24 inches. A floor tree can be 4 to 6 feet if you stack tiers and anchor it.
Can I put lights on a cardboard tree?
Yes, but use only battery LED lights. Cardboard burns, so never use real candles or hot bulbs.
Is a cardboard tree safe around cats?
It can be, with no tinsel, yarn tails or dangling bits. Glue everything flat and keep it out of reach.
What paint works on cardboard?
Acrylic craft paint works well. Prime with white paint first so the color shows up.
Can kids make a cardboard Christmas tree?
Yes. An adult should cut the cardboard. Kids can paint, glue and decorate with washable paint and white glue.
Final Thoughts on Cardboard Christmas Tree
A cardboard tree costs almost nothing and looks great. Start with the easy flat one, then try the 3D or yarn wrapped version. Keep it away from heat, and have fun with it.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.
