How to Decorate a Beautiful Paper Mache Christmas Tree

Here is another Christmas craft – decorating a beautiful paper mache Christmas tree.  You’ve seen these inexpensive paper mache cone trees at the craft store.  Pinterest has a multitude of cone trees covered in vintage rhinestone jewelry, which are beautiful.  However, I still wear some of my rhinestone jewelry and don’t have enough to cover a cone tree anyway!

This craft project is a budget-friendly way to add sparkle to your Christmas decorations.

Decorating the Paper Mache Christmas Tree

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Supplies Needed:

• 12-inch Paper Mache Cone
• Diamond Rhinestone Silver Mesh Ribbon
• Scissors
• Tacky Glue 
• Pillar Candle Holder (from Dollar Tree)
• Round Paper Mache Box (from Dollar Tree)
• Krylon Silver Paint and Primer

Directions:

First, spray the cone, box, and lid with the silver Krylon paint and primer.  Spray multiple thin coats over the paper mache pieces, allowing the paint to dry between coats.

Diamond Rhinestone Silver Mesh Ribbon

This silver mesh ribbon I’m using was in my crafting stash.  Several years ago, I found the rhinestone mesh ribbon in the wedding section at the fabric store.  It was a David Tutera product.  This ribbon is often used to add sparkle at the base of cakes.  To see how I used it to decorate lifts and levels for a dessert table at a wedding reception◄ click here.

Apply the Silver Mesh Ribbon

Since the cone is larger at the base and gets smaller and smaller, I applied glue to only the bottom 4 rows of the ribbon.

I applied glue to a couple of inches of the rhinestone mesh, adhered it to the cone, and continued gluing until it was wrapped in a band around the base.  Cut the ribbon end through the mesh.

Then, cut the mesh between each of the top 2 rows of rhinestones.  Apply glue to the rhinestone backs on each tab you’ve cut and squish the rhinestones together.  This will take up the slack at the top of the band.

Since this worked well, except cutting it in place was a little tedious, I cut the mesh between each of the top 2 rows on the next band before applying the glue and attaching it to the cone.  This made the process go faster.

Apply glue to the 4 rows of rhinestones again and line up the mesh ribbon end at the back of the cone.  Repeat the cutting and gluing process until the cone is covered.  At the top, I had to cut one of the rhinestones off to lay the ribbon flat.

Embossing the Foil

This box from Dollar Tree has a lid that fits snuggly on the box.  It won’t work to cover the entire side with foil and be able to use the lid.  So I only cover from where the base of the lid rests to the bottom of the box.

The box I bought for this project measures 2 inches from the bottom of the lid to the bottom of the box.  Cut the foil at least 2 x 2 + 2 inches or 6 inches wide.

Spray glue onto one side of each piece of foil.  Then layer them one on top of the other and fold the layered foil in half lengthwise.

Initially, I planned to use a border embossing folder, but using it for both ends of the foil left a gap in the middle.  Then, I saw this snowman folder and realized it would be relatively easy to use the snow portion at the top.  If you turn the embossing folder sideways, the longer tin wrap can be positioned in the front or back.

Measure around the round box and using the measurement, cut the ends straight with a metal ruler and a sharp X-Acto knife or scissors.  I added a slight 1/4 inch to the measurement to overlap the tin foil ends. 

Adhering the Embossed Foil to the Box

Then, apply Tacky Glue to the back of a small section of the tin foil and position the fold just under the lid, butting the tin foil against the base of the lid.  Gently press the foil in place.

Continue gluing a small section and repeating until the tin foil wraps around the box.  Then, use scissors to cut the foil 3/4 inch from the base of the box, removing the excess.

Cut tabs around the raw edge of the tin foil and glue them to the bottom of the box.

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The candle holder should cover the unfinished edges of the glued tabs.  Use glue like E6000 or Quick Hold to adhere the ceramic candle holder to the bottom of the box.  Follow the directions on the tube.

Next, use Tacky Glue to adhere the cone tree to the center of the lid.  I also glued a silver pipe cleaner around the base of the tree. 

Lastly, an elegant white and silver ribbon bow is tied to the candle holder.

I planned to foil the side of the lid, too.  As I set the tree on the box to see how it would look, it seemed to me that the contrast added interest. 

This is a quick and easy DIY, but can you imagine Christmas lights reflecting on the paper mache Christmas tree?  Imagine three of these decorating your mantel or furniture top!