Glitter Christmas Trees – A Handmade Christmas

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It’s week nine of my 16-week series titled A Handmade Christmas, and today I am sharing Glitter Christmas Trees inspired by one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.

There is nothing I love more during the holidays than a good handmade Christmas project. When I spotted the cutest miniature glitter trees on the Anthropologie website, I immediately fell in love with their vintage charm. But there was just one tiny problem… the price. I knew right away I could make them for less.

Three small tabletop Christmas trees made of colored tinsel and mini lights sit on a wooden table in a brightly lit living room.
Four images show holiday-themed items: decorated cookies, vintage glass ornaments in a bowl, frosted cookies with tree designs, and a festive dining table setting with holiday decor.
Text logo reads: "MY 100 YEAR OLD HOME | A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS" in capitalized, gray letters on a white background.

Glitter Christmas Trees

Three small decorative trees made from colored pipe cleaners and wooden bases, each adorned with miniature multicolored lights, displayed on a light wood surface.

Whenever I like something that isn’t quite right, I make it myself.

Not only are these Glitter Christmas Trees easy to make, but they are also incredibly fun and totally customizable. You can choose the size, the color, the ornaments, the sparkle level … everything!

I made mine using glitter pipe cleaners, wood bases, wooden branches for stems, and some mini Christmas lights. And let me tell you, they turned out so much better than I imagined.

Welcome to this week’s edition of A Handmade Christmas — let’s make some glitter magic!

Why You Will Love These Glitter Christmas Trees

Three small decorative Christmas trees made of colored tinsel and string lights stand on a table with a plaid cloth, with a soft-focus couch and window in the background.
  • They look high-end and whimsical
  • They can be made in any size you want
  • They are a great craft for both adults and kids
  • They bring the perfect amount of sparkle to mantels, shelves, and tabletops
  • They cost a fraction of the price of the retail version

Plus… glitter pipe cleaners are just FUN

If you want a holiday craft that instantly makes you smile — this is it.

Supplies You Will Need

Wood slices, wooden dowels, colorful mini string lights, and metallic gold, pink, and silver pipe cleaners arranged on a white surface.

Here’s what I used to make mine (and you can make as many as you’d like). I onlt made three, but you can make about twenty of these for $20.

I may occasionally use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A set of colorful, sparkly pipe cleaners arranged vertically in parallel rows, resembling miniature Glitter Christmas Trees in a variety of bright colors including blue, green, purple, red, gold, and silver.
200pcs Pipe Cleaners Chenille Stems
A spool of gold string with colorful metallic bead decorations shaped like Christmas lights, perfect for accenting Glitter Christmas Trees.
Mini Dollhouse Christmas Lights
Four spools of multicolored bead garland shaped like Christmas lights, perfect for pairing with Glitter Christmas Trees, with a strand of the garland displayed above.
590 Inch Dollhouse Miniature String Lights 
A group of colorful pipe cleaners arranged vertically in rows, including red, pink, green, gold, silver, blue, and purple—ideal for crafting Glitter Christmas Trees—set against a white background.
Caydo 200 Pieces Glitter Pipe Cleaners
A pile of round, thin slices of tree branch with light-colored wood and rough bark edges, perfect for crafting Glitter Christmas Trees, arranged on a white surface.
24-Pack Birch Wedding 1-2 Inch Disc Rounds
A glass container filled with upright wooden skewers, each with pointed ends, reminiscent of tiny trunks ready to become Glitter Christmas Trees.
8″ Natural Bamboo Skewers
The image shows the packaging for an AdTech Dual-Temp 2-Temp Full Size Glue Gun. It highlights features like low and high temp settings, perfect for creating wreaths for fall, and an extended detail nozzle, all packaged in an eco-friendly box.

Glue Gun

A package of AdTech Crystal Clear Glue Sticks, 50 full-size pieces, labeled multi-temp, perfect for crafts like Glitter Christmas Trees, with product features and dimensions printed on the front.
50 Glue Sticks
Three pairs of scissors with stainless steel blades and colored plastic handles in purple, green, and orange, arranged in a vertical row—perfect for crafting Glitter Christmas Trees.
Soft-Grip Scissors, 3-Pack

How to Make Glitter Christmas Trees

Three small Christmas trees made of tinsel and wood sit on a light surface, decorated with colorful mini lights; blurred ornaments are in the background.

These come together FAST — once you make one, you’ll want to set up a whole forest.

#1 Build the Tree Shape

Wood slices, wooden dowels, colorful mini string lights, and metallic gold, pink, and silver pipe cleaners arranged on a white surface.
A flathead screwdriver is inserted into a round wooden disc, lying on a white surface near string lights, a pink pipe cleaner, and a wooden stick.
A hand inserts a wooden stick into a round wooden base. More wooden bases, sticks, and colorful decorative string lights are on the table.

Use your wooden branch or dowel as the trunk. Use a Phillips head screwdriver and a hammer to drill a hole in the middle of the wood disc. This helps the skewer to stand up more firmly.

Cut the wooden skewers about 5 ” tall. I used three different heights, 5″, 4″, and 3.5″ tall.

Use hot glue to attach your trunk securely to the wood base.

#2 – Create the Branches

A hand holds scissors, cutting shiny pipe cleaners beside wooden slices and colorful beads on a white surface.
Three groups of metallic pipe cleaners in red, gold, and silver are arranged on a white surface next to a small string of multicolored holiday lights.
A wooden base with a vertical stick is surrounded by six pieces of red tinsel pipe cleaners, bent in various shapes, on a white surface.

Cut your glitter pipe cleaners into these sections. You need two of each.

  • 5″ pieces for the next layer
  • 4″ pieces
  • 3″ pieces

Fold each pipe cleaner in half.

You’ll want 2–3 branches at each level, depending on how full you want your tree. I used two branches, folded, which yielded four branches at each level. I made three levels of branches.

#3 – Add the Branches to the Tree

A craft project with a wooden disc base, pink pipe cleaners arranged in an X shape, a vertical stick, and holiday light garlands in the background on a white surface.
A craft project with pink pipe cleaners attached to a wooden base, surrounded by decorative materials including colorful string lights and a spool on a white surface.
A hand holds a small DIY Christmas tree made from pink pipe cleaners on a wooden base, with craft supplies scattered in the background.
  • Wrap your longest pipe cleaner pieces around the trunk and twist to secure at the bottom of the tree.
  • Space them evenly around the trunk
  • Move up the trunk and add the shorter pieces as you go
  • Continue until you reach the top.

The layered lengths create a beautiful tapering tree shape.

#4 – Secure to the Base

Three small DIY Christmas trees made of wooden sticks, wood slices as bases, and metallic pipe cleaners in gold, pink, and silver arranged on a light surface.
A hand holds a wooden base with pink pipe cleaners arranged in tiers on a stick; gold and silver pipe cleaners are scattered on a white surface.
Three small, handmade trees made of pink, silver, and gold tinsel pipe cleaners stand on round wooden bases against a plain background.

Wrap pipe cleaners around the base to hide the wood. Secure ends with hot glue.

#5 – Optional: Add Mini Lights

A hot glue gun is used to attach mini Christmas lights to a small, silver, pipe cleaner tree on a wooden base. Other decorated trees are in the background.
A small pink tinsel Christmas tree with colorful light bulb ornaments stands on a round wooden base against a plain light background.
A small artificial Christmas tree made of silver tinsel stands on a wooden base, decorated with a string of colorful lights.
A small handmade Christmas tree made from gold tinsel and colorful bulb ornaments, standing on a wooden base against a plain background.

This is where the magic happens!

  • Wrap a short strand of mini LED lights around the tree
  • Or hot glue tiny ball ornaments to the ends of branches
  • Or do both … more sparkle is always a good thing!
Three small tabletop Christmas trees made of tinsel in pink, silver, and gold, with wooden bases and miniature colorful string lights, set against a plain background.

You can also add a small bead or gem at the top as a tree topper. I just added one of the lights.

Tips for Styling

Three small, colorful, tinsel Christmas trees with wooden bases are displayed on a table in a brightly lit room with a sofa and window in the background.

A few ideas to make your forest even more fabulous:

  • Mix heights — create a grouping of 3–7 trees
  • Use different colors — metallic pastels are so fun!
  • Add to a holiday village for instant charm
  • Create a winter centerpiece for your dining table
  • Tuck them into bookshelves to surprise guests with sparkle

These trees are tiny — but they make a significant visual impact.

Five small, white ceramic house figurines with various roof and window styles are arranged in two rows against a plain background.

Creative Co-Op Stoneware Bisque Houses with LED Lights

A brown storage box with empty compartments sits next to nine festive glass ornaments in red and green on a light surface.

Creative Co-Op 2′ H Embossed Mercury Glass Ornaments

Two green, tree-shaped candles; one is wrapped in clear plastic with a gold ribbon, and the other is unwrapped, both placed on a neutral fabric surface.

Creative Co-Op Tall Holiday Tree Shaped Candle

Customization Ideas

Three small decorative Christmas trees made of tinsel in red, silver, and gold stand on wooden bases, adorned with tiny colorful lights on a light wooden surface.

These are so easy to tailor to your holiday theme:

Color PaletteLooks Best With
Silver + WhiteClassic winter wonderland
Pink + Mint + GoldWhimsical vintage magic
Green + RedTraditional farmhouse
Champagne + CopperElegant and modern
MulticolorFamily-friendly + playful joy

You can also swap out the base:

  • Birch wood slices for rustic charm
  • Painted wooden cubes for a modern look
  • Glittered clay shapes for even more sparkle

You can’t go wrong — have fun experimenting!

Decorating With Glitter Trees

Where should they go? Everywhere! Here are my favorite spots:

The Mantel

Cluster them around garlands and candles for a stunning centerpiece.

On Gift Packages

Tie a small tree onto a wrapped present — the cutest extra gift!

Holiday Tables

Use them as part of each place setting or as a festive runner.

Bookshelves

Tuck 1–2 between books for joyful pops of Christmas.

Window Sills

Let them shine in the natural light — the glitter sparkles beautifully.

Bedrooms & Kids’ Spaces

They add magic without taking up space.

These trees instantly make any corner feel ready for Christmas.

Two woven table runners, one pink and one red plaid, are draped over a wooden cabinet topped with folded dish towels, a small reindeer figurine, and sparkling Glitter Christmas Trees.
Creative Co-Op Plaid Hand-Woven Cotton Chindi Table Runner
A white fireplace with an electric fire, decorated with a green garland, air dry clay ornaments, and three brass candle holders with lit candles on the mantel.

6FT Christmas Norfolk Pine Garland

Three rolls of patterned wrapping paper and one partially unrolled sheet with a wrapped gift placed on top, featuring floral designs in pink, white, and green tones—perfect for pairing with glass ornaments for a festive touch.

Creative Co-Op 3 Styles Wrapping Paper Sheets with Flora and Fauna Pattern

Two pink, tree-shaped candles evoke a pink Christmas vibe as they are displayed in a cardboard box, with two identical candles positioned outside the box on a white background.

Creative Co-Op Unscented Textured Tree Shaped Taper Candles in Box, Blush Color

A thin branch is suspended horizontally against a plain background, with a string of metallic and air dry clay star-shaped ornaments draped across it.

Creative Co-Op 72 Inch Cardboard Glitter Star Garland

Two metal candle holders shaped like glitter Christmas trees hold tall, unlit white taper candles. They are placed on a neutral-colored surface against a textured light wall.
Creative Co-Op Tall Metal Tree Shaped Taper Candleholder

A Handmade Christmas Tradition

Three small decorative Christmas trees made of colored tinsel and string lights stand on a table with a plaid cloth, with a soft-focus couch and window in the background.

Part of the joy of handmade holiday decor is the memories created along the way. These Glitter Christmas Trees are a fantastic project to do:

  • With friends at a crafting party
  • With kids (just help with the hot glue!)
  • As a family night activity with hot cocoa and Christmas music playing

There’s something special about decorating your home with pieces you made yourself — they hold meaning, they tell a story, and they are uniquely yours.

Sixteen Weeks of A Handmade Christmas

Here are the first nine weeks of A Homemade Christmas. Can you believe I have only seven more still to share!

Three small tabletop Christmas trees made of colored tinsel and mini lights sit on a wooden table in a brightly lit living room.
Week nine
Four ceramic house-shaped ornaments labeled with family names are arranged on a white surface among gold and green Christmas baubles.
Week eight
A clear round ornament filled with dried white and yellow flowers hangs from a white ribbon, with green pine needles above.
Week seven
A white bowl holds green, red, and silver ornaments. Beside it are two gingerbread house-shaped ceramic dishes, one with patterns and one decorated as a house, on a red cloth.
Week six
Two decorative fabric Christmas trees on white stands sit on a table beside green garland and three ornaments on a green tray in a cozy, well-lit room.
Week five
A gift wrapped in red floral paper with a large red ribbon and bow, decorated with a round ornament featuring pink flowers; similar ornaments surround the gift.
Week four
Three handmade napkin rings—one green with a floral pattern, one white with "LESLIE" embossed, and one pink with a dragonfly—rest on folded patterned napkins.
Week three
Four hand-painted Christmas ornaments with red, green, and yellow floral designs are arranged in a row on a light wooden surface.
Week two
Twelve hand-embroidered fabric ornaments, each depicting a different scene from "The Twelve Days of Christmas," are arranged on a light surface surrounded by greenery.
Week one

If you create these Glitter Christmas Trees, please tag me as I love seeing your handmade holiday magic!

A small artificial silver Glitter Christmas Tree with colorful ornaments stands on a wooden base, with loose ornaments scattered around on a white surface.
Creative Co-Op Tinsel Tree with Glass Ornaments and Wood Base, Silver
Four small cone-shaped decorative trees with textured surfaces in pink, white, and lavender evoke a whimsical pink Christmas vibe, shown both inside and outside a cardboard box with packing material.

Creative Co-Op Fabric Trees w/Wood Bases, Pink & Cream Color

Two cone-shaped Glitter Christmas Trees decorated with red and green sprinkles are displayed on a white surface, surrounded by gold ornaments.
Creative Co-Op Tall Metal and Glass Beaded Christmas Tree
A wire star sculpture with multiple points sits atop a wooden log base, accompanied by delicate glass ornaments, displayed against a plain white background.

Creative Co-Op Multidimensional Metal Star

A small artificial Christmas tree with pine cones and yellow lights, placed in a metallic bucket-style pot, accented with festive gift tags for a charming holiday touch.

Small Christmas Tree 24 inch

Three decorative, house-shaped ornaments with leaf and berry patterns in red, blue, and green, arranged in order of increasing size from left to right.

Creative Co-Op Printed Paper Mache Houses

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Sixteen Weeks of A Handmade Christmas

  • – Week 1
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Three small handmade Christmas trees made of glittery pipe cleaners with mini bulb ornaments are displayed on a table indoors.

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