DIY Clay Christmas Tree
This DIY clay Christmas tree is SO PRETTY! And it’s really easy to use air dry clay and our free, printable template to make this minimalist holiday decoration at home.
Place a flameless tealight candle under these clay Christmas trees to give your room a cozy winter feel. These clay trees look amazing on the mantle, or used as a centerpiece for Christmas dinner!
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DIY Clay Christmas Tree
Materials:
Equipment:
- Water (for smoothing clay)
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Print the template and roll the clay
- Print our free clay Christmas tree template on cardstock. This template allows you to make 3 different sizes of trees.To make more than one size of tree, print multiple copies of the pattern. You’ll need one template page per tree.
- Cut along the line for the size of tree you’d like to make.
- Place the ball of clay between two pieces of plastic wrap. This will stop the clay from sticking to your rolling pin and work surface.
- Roll the clay, creating an oval shape, until it’s just under 1/4 inch thick.
Step 3: Cut out and prepare the clay cone
- Peel off the top layer of plastic wrap and place the template on top of the clay. Cut around the template with a craft knife.
- Remove the template and the extra clay around the template.
- Press the side of the craft knife into the clay along one straight edge to score it.
- Use your finger to push down the clay along the other straight edge. This will help join the two sides together.
Step 4: Make a paper cone from the template
- Roll the cardstock template into a cone shape.
- Secure the cone in place with a couple pieces of tape.
- Cover the cone in plastic wrap. Tuck any extra at the bottom inside the cone.
Step 5: Add the clay to the template
- Pick up the clay and place it on the tree form. Place the point at the top of the tree and align the curved bottom of the clay with the bottom of the cone.
- Wrap the clay around the cardstock tree, and press in the sides to help it stay in place.Starting at the top of the tree, press the two sides of clay together until it stays securely on the cone shape.
- Then to join the rest of the edges together, dip your fingertip in water and rub it along the scored side of the tree.
- Place the thin side of the clay on top of the scored side and carefully push them together against the cardstock template.Use water and your fingertip to smooth out any bumps in the clay, especially at the seam.
- If needed, trim the clay along the bottom to make the base even and straight.
Step 6: Poke holes in the clay tree and allow it to dry
- Push a straw into the clay to make a decorative light hole in the tree.Once you’ve pushed the straw into the clay, wiggle it a little bit, and then remove it.
- Continue using the straw to add holes all over the tree, either in a pattern or randomly.After about 4 or 5 holes you’ll need to remove the clay from inside the straw. You can either cut the straw, or blow or squeeze out the clay from the end.
- Once you’re happy with your design, allow the clay Christmas tree to dry for at least 24 hours.Check on the tree and leave it for another day if it isn’t completely dry. Drying times may vary depending on the type and thickness of clay that you use.
- Remove the clay Christmas tree from the cardstock cone. Push the edge of the cone in at the bottom and twist it to help the clay tree slide off more easily.
- Your clay Christmas tree is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- Make sure the base of the clay Christmas tree is straight and even so that the tree will stand well, without wobbling.
- If any of the holes in the tree have rough edges after they dry you can sand them with a thin nail file or the tip of the craft knife.
Download the Free Clay Christmas Tree template:
Click on the link or image below to download our free, printable clay Christmas tree template! The PDF file will open in a new window. Then simply print the template on 8.5 x 11 (letter size) cardstock.
The template below makes clay Christmas tree cones that are 5-1/2 inches, 6-1/2 inches, and 7-1/2 inches tall. You’ll need to print off multiple templates to make more than 1 size of tree.
>>> Clay Christmas Tree <<<
What type of clay is used to make a Christmas clay tree?
These clay trees are made with DAS modeling clay, an air dry clay. This clay starts off grey, but becomes a nice, crisp white as it dries.
We’ve also used Sculpey air dry clay in the past, to make our ghost tea light holder, and it’s really nice to work with. Or you can make your own clay!
How can I light up my clay Christmas tree?
We put flameless tealight candles under our clay trees, to give them a flickering candle look. Don’t use real candles with flames! (Air dry clay can’t handle the heat the way that ceramic clay can. Some clays could also be flammable.).
Or you can put a string of fairy lights under your clay trees, like we did with our string Christmas tree.
Can I make my clay Christmas tree shiny?
We like the matte look of the air dry clay, but you can definitely give your clay tree a shiny glazed look. Use a sponge brush to add a coat of glossy Mod Podge, or spray it with acrylic sealer.
This will give the clay tree a glossy look, and also seal it. Sealing it protects it from moisture in the air and will extend the life of your clay trees.
How many Christmas trees can I make with a package of clay?
This depends on the exact size of your clay Christmas tree and how thick you roll the clay. You should be able to make at least 6 clay trees from a 2.2 pound (1 kilogram) package of DAS clay.
If you roll the scrap clay together and smooth it with water you’ll probably be able to make more than 6 clay trees.
How to create cut-outs on the clay Christmas tree?
We used the end of a straw to make the holes in our trees, allowing the light to shine through. Paper straws will work, but you’ll need to cut the straw when the tip gets damaged.
Washable stainless steel straws will also work, but you’ll need to blow out the little circles of clay that get stuck in the straw each time you make a hole.
You can also create shapes in the tree with mini clay cutters or shaped fondant cutters. These are like tiny cookie cutters that come in fun shapes, like stars or snowflakes.
How else can I decorate my clay Christmas tree?
Try adding a patterned texture into the wet clay using piping tips, or paint your tree after it’s dry with acrylic paint. You can even add light bulbs to your ceramic tree! If you do this, make the holes in the tree smaller to fit the lights.
This clay Christmas tree is so elegant! We love the neutral look of these clay trees. They look so peaceful placed over a flickering battery operated candle.
Make just one of these luminaries as a holiday keepsake, or make a whole grouping of different sizes! These clay Christmas trees also make a great homemade gift that the recipient will treasure for years to come.
Here’s even more Christmas craft ideas:
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
