Easy Christmas tree crafts ideas

Looking for DIY Christmas decorations for you and the little ones to make together? Get some help decorating your Christmas tree with some festive ideas from your CBeebies favourites!

Many people believe the tradition of decorating Christmas trees came from the Victorian era, brought into popularity by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. That's just one chapter in a long history of tremendous Christmas trees!

The custom of bringing evergreen branches into the home actually dates back to ancient civilisations, like the Egyptians, Romans and Druids. The boughs symbolised eternal life and were said to ward off evil spirits during the winter solstice.

The modern Christmas tree tradition began in Germany in the 16th century. Later, this tradition was introduced to England via King George III's German wife, Charlotte. In the 1790s, she would celebrate her German roots by decorating a tree in the traditional style, with ornaments.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert turned this royal tradition into the popular national celebration we know and love today.

You'll need some colouring pencils, crayons or paint, a glue-stick and a grown-up's help to cut out your decorations. Colour them in and hang them on your tree!

🎄 🐾 DIY Bluey Christmas tree decoration - This cute Bluey decoration can be used as a bauble, a tree topper or even gift tags - or all three for a Bluey-themed Christmas!

🎄 🐰 Bing Christmas tree decoration - Print and colour this Bing decoration for your Christmas tree or for the classroom Christmas tree.

🎄 😇 Duggee Christmas tree topper - Check out this easy print and stick Duggee angel template for your tree this Christmas.

🎄 🖍️ Hey Duggee Christmas templates - Do you love Duggee? Now you can colour in your own Hey Duggee Christmas decoration for the tree.

🎄 🥔 Supertato Christmas Ornament - Easy as can be! Print it out and cut it out, and celebrate in style with Supertato.

No printer? No problem! Try these up-cycled decoration ideas to keep your Christmas cost-effective but still festive. 

🎄 ✨ Sparkly bauble decorations - Personalise your Christmas tree with this sparkly bauble using photos of your loved ones.

🎄 🧶 Make a mini Christmas tree decoration - Using some spare card and wool or ribbon, make this clever decoration in moments.

🎄 🧩 Jigsaw puzzle decorations - Lost puzzle pieces? Put the leftover bits to good use with this minute make from Mr Maker.

🎄 🗒️ Scrap paper chains - You can use left over wrapping paper or scrap paper to create a eco-friendly tinsel alternative.

🎄 ❄ Snowflake stick ornament - Forage during a nature walk and bring home what you need for these snowflake decorations.

🎄 👕 Christmas tree garland ornament - If you have scrap material, why not try your own personalised fabric ornament.

🎅 ✍️ Christmas card ideas - Looking for Christmas card ideas? Look no further!

👵 ❄️ JoJo and Gran Gran Christmas card - Make your own Gran Gran plan and send it to someone you love.

🎄 🦴 Hey Duggee Christmas Tree Decorator - A special game to help you plan your Christmas tree decorations.

🥳 🍽️ Make a Bluey Christmas cracker - Ready for the Christmas dinner table or for decorating your tree.

Grownups needed: these makes are a bit more complex and use more items, so we recommend holding a family crafting session! 

🎄 ✂️ Hey Duggee Christmas felt decoration - Snip snip! Felt is perfect for this make, but if you have old t-shirts and buttons, it's a great way to recycle old clothes.

🎄 ⭐️ Norrie Angel Christmas tree topper - Grab your grownup for this one! Gather your supplies and get creative with pipe cleaners and stickers.

🦌 ☃️ Festive Tic Tac Toe - Play reindeers vs snowmen against your family with these easy cork figurines.

That depends! Many people who celebrate Christmas put up their trees on the first weekend in December, usually on a Sunday. In 2024, this date was Sunday 1st December and it marked the beginning of a period known as Advent. It is a period of preparation and anticipation for Christmas, and is usually when people begin to feel festive. Traditionally, Christians celebrate Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (25th December) but in recent times, it has become the norm to open your Advent calendar on the first day of December, regardless on whether it falls on a Sunday or not. 

🎅 📅 Make your own Advent Calendar with Gyasi from the CBeebies House.

Many Americans tend to put up their trees after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday of November. This year, it was on 28th November, so you can see that the end of November and the start of December are popular dates to dress your tree.

Of course, you can put up your trees earlier or later than this - but maybe not too early...!

The stages of decorating the tree depend on what you'll be putting on it, of course! Whether you have a 6ft artificial tree or a real mini potted tree, stick to the largest items first.

1. Light it up

First, start with lights (if you are using them) as they are the most cumbersome part of the decorations. You'll need to know if one of your light bulbs is faulty before the next stages, so starting out with a quick test will save you time and effort in the long run.

2. Deck the boughs

Next, if you are using ribbons, garlands or tinsel, carefully detangle them and evenly distribute about your tree.

3. Time for baubles

Now you're ready for your baubles and ornaments. Some households prefer to stick with one or two colours, and others love using all the colours of the rainbow. Make sure your favourite decorations are front and centre and at your eye-level so you can enjoy them. Then fill in the gaps between the larger ornaments, tinsel and lights with smaller decorations so the coverage is even.

4. Top it off

Finally, the most important part of the decorating process: placing the tree topper on the highest vertical branch of the tree. You can choose any kind of ornament, but the sturdiest have a cone to fit over the top of the tree and keep it in place. Traditional ornaments are angels or stars, but you can choose whichever decoration suits your family. Placing the tree topper is a job for adults, depending on the height of your tree.

Find more Christmas activities and craft ideas to do with kids and Christmas decorations and ornament ideas to make with kids.

Head over to CBBC for the best Christmas crafts and homemade decorations, ornaments and gift ideas for kids.