Printable Christmas Tree Templates & Craft Ideas

Updated August 17, 2021
Christmas origami tree

Free printable Christmas tree templates are ideal for a variety of fun and festive holiday projects that the entire family can enjoy. Start with several Christmas tree designs and print as many as you wish to create tree ornaments, 3D Christmas trees, Christmas cards, placemats, wall art, banner bunting, gift wrap and gift tags, and even Christmas tree pillows.

Traditional Christmas Tree Shapes

Traditional Christmas Tree Shape
Traditional Christmas Tree Shape

Everyone recognizes the traditional Christmas tree shape; and it lends itself to many craft projects. You can use these tree shapes as a pattern to cut out fabric or decorative paper, or to add glitter, sequins, or other decorative items right to the shape itself. If you need help with downloading, use the Guide for Adobe Printables.

Stylized Christmas Tree Shapes

Stylized Christmas Tree Shape
Stylized Christmas Tree Shape

These fantasy-inspired, stylized Christmas trees put a whimsical, playful twist on the traditional form, like something you'd see in Whoville or in The Nightmare Before Christmas. Kids will love coloring these trees and adding their own flair, and then using them for Christmas cards, gift wrap, wall decor and more.

Modern Christmas Tree Shapes

Modern Christmas Tree Shape
Modern Christmas Tree Shape

These simple shapes, which are both childlike and modern at the same time, are perfect for so many crafts. Use them as a pattern for dough ornaments, Christmas cards, bunting banners or felt ornaments.

Using Your Christmas Tree Cutouts

Once you've downloaded and printed the file(s), there are plenty of options for using them. Your children can color them and decorate them with glue and glitter. Encourage your kids to unleash their creativity!

Wall Art

Display your kids' art on the wall in the living room or in their bedrooms. You can also fashion a Christmas-themed refrigerator door display with these and other Christmas artwork.

Christmas Placemats

Make your child's art last from one Christmas to another by laminating their tree works of art. You can then use them throughout the Christmas season as placemats for family meals. Before laminating, personalize each one by drawing a garland that spells out each child's name.

Arts & Crafts Party

If you're hosting a Christmas party with lots of children in attendance, print out the trees on white or green cardstock. Set up a craft station with age-appropriate decorative items for the kids to cut out the trees and decorate using crayons, glitter, star stickers, beads, wrapped candy, and more.

Template for Gift Wrap

Christmas paper background texture

Print the tree shapes onto cardstock and cut them out to use for decorative gift wrap. Show your children how to trace the image onto plain wrapping paper. Let them decorate the tree shape and paper. Wrap the present with this one-of-a-kind gift wrap!

Gift Tags

Modify the print size of the templates and use them to make gift tags. Let your children cut out the tree shapes, and then punch a hole at the top of the tree with a hole puncher. Provide different choices of ribbons and yarns to loop through the hole, as well as items to decorate the trees, so your little elves can create unique gift tags for family and friends.

Homemade Christmas Cards

Little Girl Making Christmas Card

Print the Christmas tree onto a greeting card stock paper by adjusting the tree size to fit the card. Children can color the tree on each card, and add a special message inside. Help your child address the envelope and place the stamp on the envelope. Finally, let your child place the card in the mailbox for a satisfying ending to this family project.

Make Tree Pillows

Christmas tree handmade toy

You aren't limited to just paper cutouts for your Christmas tree crafts. Select the Christmas tree(s) you wish to use, and print onto fabric transfer paper.

Supplies

  • Printer
  • Fabric transfer paper
  • Plain or printed fabrics
  • Sewing machine and matching thread, or needle and thread if sewing by hand
  • Decorating supplies: glitter, glue, yarns, ribbons, miniature Christmas ornaments, etc.
  • Polyester fiberfill for stuffing

Instructions

  1. Print two identical trees on fabric transfer paper to make one tree pillow.
  2. You can iron the printed fabric transfer paper onto pieces of printed or plain fabric.
  3. Cut out two identical trees.
  4. Sew the two trees together, making sure the right sides are facing each other.
  5. Leave a two-inch opening at the bottom so you can turn the tree right side out.
  6. Let each child decorate each side of the tree prior to stuffing. If using miniature ornaments, manually sew onto the tree with a needle and thread.
  7. If using glue and other items that need to dry, be sure to allow enough dry time before attempting to stuff with the filler.
  8. Provide your children with polyester fiberfill for stuffing the tree.
  9. Use a slip stitch to close the opening used for stuffing the pillow.
  10. You can also reduce the print size to make different pillow sizes, such as small, medium, and full size.

You can place the tree pillows in a Christmas basket by the hearth as part of your holiday decor, or use them as a dining table or foyer console table centerpiece. Each child may want to place their Christmas tree pillow on their bed to bring the festive season into their personal space.

Create 3D Christmas Trees

White christmas tree scene

To fashion these trees, you need to print the same tree template twice. You can use plain white printer paper or opt for a green paper.

Step One: Cut Out Tree Shapes

Using a pair of scissors, cut out the two tree shapes. Place the cut out tree templates back-to-back and if necessary, trim them so they are identical.

Step Two: Color and Decorate Both Sides

Your kids may want to decorate the trees. They'll need to color the front and back of each tree cutout.

Step Three: Fold Each Tree

Once your children have finished coloring the Christmas trees, they'll need to fold each tree vertically. Fold the length of the tree in half so the edges come together evenly.

Step Four: Glue Trees Together

Using a paper glue, your kids will run a glue line along the folded edge of one tree. Attach the other tree by placing the folded edge along the glue line of the other folded tree.

Step Five: Drying Time

The trees should be set aside to allow the glue to dry. If desired, you can weigh down the trees with a book to ensure the glued edges set firmly together.

Step Six: Unfold Tree

Once the tree is dry, it's time to reveal your kids' masterpieces. Carefully, open/unfold the outer edges of the tree, so it fans out. There should be four tree halves fused together in the center. The tree cutouts are now 3D, and you can place them upright on a table, mantel, windowsill or shelf.

Step Seven: Make a Christmas Forest

Your children can create a vignette of decorated Christmas trees. Use fake snow or cotton balls that you can stretch and pull apart to resemble tufts of snow. Place around the trees for a snowy Christmas forest.

Free Printable Christmas Trees for Holiday Fun

Using free printable Christmas tree templates, you can add plenty of crafty fun to the holiday season. Add a couple Christmas games to the mix, and your kids will have great memories of this time spent together. Make sure you print plenty of copies in case any adults want to join in the festivities!

Printable Christmas Tree Templates & Craft Ideas