This year’s Christmas theme for me is going a bit more traditional — rich, cozy colors like burgundy and forest green. Think “classic Christmas,” but with a touch of homemade charm.
I’d been eyeing these gorgeous velvet trees online for a while (you know the ones — the ones that whisper “You could totally make me yourself…” every time you scroll past). So this year, I finally decided to listen and give them a try.
After watching a few tutorials, I took bits and pieces from what others had done and came up with a version that worked perfectly for me. And spoiler alert — it’s so simple you might just end up making a forest of them!
The best part? It’s totally kid-friendly, requires just a few supplies, and with a quick fabric swap you can make them match any holiday look.
So grab your glue gun (and maybe a hot cocoa), and let’s get crafting!
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Supplies You’ll Need:
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
- Styrofoam cones – I used three sizes: 9”, 12”, and 18”. Varying the sizes keeps things visually interesting on your tablescape. The 18” was pretty tall for the dining table — it made a beautiful statement, but definitely check your table length first. You might find that the tallest one works better as a standalone piece on a side table or tucked into a bookcase.
- Velvet fabric – I went with deep red and forest green. You don’t need much per cone, and I ended up with leftovers (future craft stash = win!).
- Sharp scissors – The sharper, the better. Velvet deserves clean cuts.
- Glue gun & glue sticks – A crafter’s BFF.
- Push pins – Handy for holding fabric in place before you glue.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Velvet Trees
1. Cut your fabric
Using sharp fabric scissors, cut your velvet into 2-2½” wide strips. I used a yardstick to help guide my hand — the strips don’t have to be perfect, but the straight edge definitely helped keep things even.
2. Start at the bottom
Begin at the base of the Styrofoam cone, wrapping your fabric strip around. Pop in a push pin to keep it from slipping away while you work.
3. Glue and go
Gently lift up the fabric edge, add a thin line of hot glue, and press down. Keep wrapping and gluing as you move up the cone — slow and steady wins the race (and prevents burnt fingers).
4. Top it off
When you reach the top, trim any excess fabric but leave just enough to tuck under for a nice, clean finish. Glue in place. Voilà!
And that’s it. Seriously. It’s one of those crafts that looks store-bought but takes hardly any time. The velvet is dreamy to work with, and the cones have just enough weight to stand firm while still being easy to move or store.
Styling & Display Ideas
I originally made mine for my holiday tablescape, but they’ve started migrating around the house like festive little nomads. Try them on:
- Bookshelves – instant cozy charm
- Mantels – pair with greenery or fairy lights
- Coffee tables – cluster with candles for a warm glow
You can totally customize them for different looks:
- White velvet + gold ribbon for a frosty, elegant vibe
- Blush + rose gold for a glam look
- Plaid + burlap if you’re feeling farmhouse chic
Final Thoughts (and a Tiny Pep Talk)
See? Easy-peasy. These velvet trees are proof that sometimes the simplest crafts make the biggest impact.
They look fancy, but they’re really just fabric, foam, and a dash of holiday spirit — and that’s kind of the magic of it.
So grab your supplies, throw on some Christmas music, and make it a craft night. Be creative, have FUN, and remember: there’s no such thing as too many velvet trees.
Happy Crafting! 🙂
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