Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make Glittery Crepe Paper Christmas Trees
Transform your home into a winter wonderland with these easy DIY glittery crepe paper and pipe cleaner Christmas trees! In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to craft festive trees that shimmer with holiday magic — perfect for tabletops, mantels, or party décor. This budget-friendly project is fun, beginner-friendly, and totally Instagram-worthy. Get your glitter on and make your Christmas sparkle!
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I also love The Vermont Country Store for unique holiday décor and gifts for all occasions. Browse my favorite finds below:
Some of my holiday trees in my home
The Crafty Inspiration
I bought some crepe paper to decorate for a birthday one year and no matter how I hung it, it looked messy and ripped easily. I set it aside, knowing I’d come up with a way to use it at some point. I saw some crepe paper trees start to show up on Pinterest, so I decided to put my own twist on the simple craft.
I love glitter and pipe cleaners, and with adding those new touches, I created something new and fun for my home for easy holiday decorating. The crepe paper reminded me of a tulle ballet tutu from the Sugar Plum Fairy scene in The Nutcracker, so I had a great memory of seeing the Nutcracker every year with my grandma while creating these too.
An AI background for my DIY trees
Minimalist Holiday Decor
I love making tiny trees to spread throughout the home for easy holiday décor. While others may put out a lot of holiday décor in one area of a home, my husband and I like to spread it throughout the house to spark joy in every room. I like to keep it simple with only one or two things per room, and little trees add the perfect Christmas touch quickly and easily.
In 2024, I made some rope and seashell trees, and you can see that tutorial here or above via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden.
My rose gold-ish adorned tree
How to Make Glittery Crepe Paper and Pipe Cleaner Trees
Now for the tutorial. Here’s what I used to make my craft. Links direct you to what I used and bought from either Amazon, Walmart or Target.
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Crepe Paper (I got my rose gold set on Amazon, but Target has a rainbow set of crepe paper that would be super cute!)
Hot Glue Gun and hot glue (My cordless and rechargeable hot glue gun from Amazon is awesome!)
Glitter (mine was biodegradable glitter from Amazon)
Sparkly Pipe Cleaners (Amazon or via Walmart)
Trimming the rough ends of crepe paper
How-To:
I layered two similar colors of crepe paper and cut the ends to make them even. I applied glue to the tree cone towards the bottom (but above the bottom slightly so the trees could sit flat), applied the layered crepe paper ends (I had to add a bit of glue in between the colors to make them both attach) and let the hot glue cool.
Making crepe paper pleats
I began to ruffle the crepe paper by creating a pleat (a fold) and applying glue. I folded and glued, and folded and glued to create a pleated look until I had a row completed around the cone. I trimmed the end off, folded it over a bit, and glued it for a finished edge.
Trimming the end of the first round of crepe paper
I started a second row of crepe paper slightly above the first row. I pleated, and glued, pleated and glued until I finished a second row. I didn’t make sure my pleats were exactly even, but you can measure as you go if you wish. I trimmed off the end, folded it, glued it and went onto complete another row of crepe paper pleat.
The crepe paper reminds me of a ballerina tutu
I kept going until the entire cone was covered, which gave me about 9 rows of pleats.
I added one layer at a time of doubled crepe paper
I applied a bit of rubber cement to every other layer of crepe paper, and sprinkled on some gold and rose gold glitter.
Adding the biodegradable glitter
I wrapped a pipe cleaner around a cookie cutter (see my tutorial using this method to create a pipe cleaner crown here), cut to trim the excess, and twisted the ends to secure them.
Making the star for the tree
I pulled up a bit of the crepe paper at the top of the tree, added some hot glue and attached the pipe cleaner and held it while the glue cooled. I re-glued some of the crepe paper around the tip to hide the glue from the pipe cleaner attachment.
Gluing the star on the top of the tree
I paired them in my home with the seashell trees and love how it glitters! I plan to make more in other colors.
The completed crepe paper tree
Take Action
I encourage you to try the project with your own creative twists and share your creations on your social accounts! If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make Satin Cord Ornaments
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.