How to make a Paperback Book Christmas Tree

It is mid-October and time to start thinking about Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations.  Christmas offers a great time for creativity. 

I love tabletop and tiny Christmas trees. For small home residences like mine, where you don't have room for a large tree, tabletop and tiny Christmas trees are the perfect solutions.  They can be placed on the mantle, on tables, on a windowsill and tucked in small spaces to add warmth and joy to the holiday season throughout your home.

 In addition to displaying them in a home, they are ideal for office parties, small apartments, hospital bedsides or senior living facilities.

One small DIY Christmas tree idea is to make a paperback book Christmas tree or trees.  A paperback tree is a super easy, low-cost way to decorate your home for the holiday.

Paperback Christmas trees are a great family craft to do with kids.  If you need some other holiday ideas for kids, we have a lot of free projects for kids.

To learn how to make a paperback Christmas tree, watch this video tutorial and read on for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

Paperback Christmas trees are a way to repurpose old unwanted paperback books OR if you do not have any unwanted paperbacks, you can purchase paperback books at a thrift store or dollar store for almost nothing.

HOW TO MAKE A FOLDED PAPERBACK BOOK CHRISTMAS TREE

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Paperback Book
• Xacto Knife
• Embellishments - glitter, ribbon, spray paint, small ornaments, pom-poms, etc. (Optional)

STEP 1: REMOVE COVER

The first step is to find a paperback book.  You can use an already read or unwanted paperback book you have around your home.  Or you can purchase a paperback book at a thrift store or dollar store.
Then, tear off the front and back covers of the paperback book.

STEP 2: COUNT PAGES

Count out 75 individual pages in the book (this would be the numbered page 150 in the book) and use a Xacto knife to slice down the spine. Note: You can use fewer pages but the tree will not be as full.
After removing the pages from the book, fold back the spine of the book so it breaks down.  This will make the pages more flexible and opens up the pages of the book.

STEP 3: FOLD ONE

Place the book on a flat surface such as a table so the spine is facing left.

Take the right upper corner of the first page and fold it down to the spine forming a triangle as shown in the above photo.  Crease the fold with your hand or fingernail.  Another way to crease the fold is to use a dinner knife.

STEP 4: FOLD TWO

For the second fold, fold the same page again by taking the right-hand folded side and folding it to the middle of the book (flush with the spine). Try to keep the top of the fold close to the spine forming a point at the top.

STEP 5: FOLD THREE

If you look at the photo in step 4, you will see a small triangle at the bottom of the page.  This small triangle needs to be folded up.  To do this, use the bottom edge of the book to crease the triangle and then fold the triangle at the crease up into the book.

The next photo shows how the page looks when completely folded.

STEP 6: KEEP FOLDING

Keep folding and folding the pages by repeating steps 3 to 5 until all the paperback book pages are folded.
As you fold the pages, it may become more difficult to fold as you get to the end of the pages.  But try to get the folds into the center of the book.

After the book is finished fan out the pages.

You can leave the Christmas tree plain. Or, you can decorate the tree with almost anything including spray paint, glue, and glitter, a star, ribbons, pom-poms, pipe cleaners or a small Christmas ball ornament. The possibilities are endless.

Do you want a unique gift idea for a teacher, co-worker or friend?  Make some of these paperback trees.

HAPPY FOLDING!

DIY CHRISTMAS TREE CRAFT PROJECTS

• Tabletop Christmas Tree - Store-bought tabletop trees can be very pricey. By purchasing a few items, you can make one yourself.
• Tabletop Tannenbaum (Tabletop Christmas Tree) - A classic Christmas Tree is a timeless addition to any Christmas decorations.