Easy and Elegant DIY Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree

There’s a bit of magic in creating your own tabletop Christmas tree…whether it grows tall, stays petite, or settles somewhere wonderfully in between. These pipe cleaner trees bring a sweet, elegant charm to your holiday décor and can be dressed up in any style your imagination dreams up!

Pipe cleaner Christmas trees pinterest pin

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When I think of pipe cleaners, I think of craft projects at my 5th-grade church camp.

Or wrapping my pencils with the in the 3rd grade. (I was decorating things even then!)

The best memory…the sweet Christmas ornaments my daughters made for me when they were little.

Well, I have a different pipe cleaner “twist” to share with you.

A DIY pipe cleaner Christmas tree that is easy and elegant…

charming and retro…

whimsical and full of personality!

These mini Christmas trees are perfect for tabletops, shelves, or even tucked into a Christmas village. Best of all, they’re so much fun to make!

Table of Contents

Making a Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree Base

Every good pipe cleaner Christmas tree starts with a paper cone.

Now, you can skip this step and use styrofoam cones. But the paper cones are so easy to make and save you a few dollars.

First, twist a piece of craft paper into a cone. You might need to play with how you twist the paper…you want the top edges to overlap so you don’t have a hole toward the tip. I found it helps to initially secure the twisted paper with a piece of tape on the inside.

Then, reinforce the seam with a thin line of hot glue. Once the glue dries, trim the bottom with some scissors, and you are good to go.

Gluing a paper cone for a diy pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

Cutting shape for a tabletop Christmas tree.

I love making a few cones in different sizes. It’s a fun way to have a trio of DIY mini Christmas trees for extra holiday charm.

Paper cones of various heights for diy pipe cleaner Christmas trees.

Cutting and Shaping the Pipe Cleaners

Next up: the pipe cleaners!

To give your tree that full, textured look, cut each pipe cleaner into four smaller pieces.

Fold in half, cut, fold again, and cut once more.

Then, fold each small piece into a tiny loop.

Cutting green pipe cleaners into fourths.

Twisting small pipe cleaner loops for pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

This part is oddly satisfying, though it takes a little patience. Settle in with a cup of cocoa and enjoy bending, cutting, and looping.

The number of loops you’ll need depends on the size of your cone, but trust me…more loops equal a fluffier, fuller tree.

Pile of green pipe cleaner loops for pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

Attaching the Loops

Here’s where your pipe cleaner Christmas tree starts to take shape.

Run a horizontal thin line of hot glue (about 3″) along the bottom of your paper cone, about 1/2″ from the bottom.

Then press the pipe cleaner loops on the glue line with the cut ends facing up.

gluing pipe cleaner loops to bottom of Christmas tree cone.

About half of each loop should hang slightly over the edge. Repeat along the bottom perimeter of the cone until the base is fully covered.

Next, add a second row of loops above the first. Overlap them slightly and position them so they nestle between the loops below. Continue layering rows of loops until the entire cone is covered. Your tree is really coming to life!

Layering pipe cleaner loops onto paper Christmas tree cone.

Shaping Your Tree

At this point, you might be wondering how this tree could possibly stand upright on a table.

Ah, the magic of pipe cleaners!

Remember the very first row of loops that hang over the bottom of the cone? With your fingers, gently bend the bottom loops outward.

Bending the bottom row of pipe cleaner loops on a diy tabletop Christmas tree.

Once the bottom layer of loops is bent, you can easily set your tree on a table.

At this point, you now have an elegant and luxe “velvet” tree that will be stunning when added to your holiday decorations.

Then, for a more realistic and whimsical look, bend some random loops outward to mimic branches.

Time for the fun part: decorating! Tiny red berries are perfect for adding a pop of color. Cut off any stems, put a dab of hot glue on a loop, and attach the berry.

Go subtle or sprinkle on the ornaments…every tree ends up with its own charming personality.

Bending random pipe cleaner loops on DIY tree.

Gluing red berries onto a pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

Fun Variations for Your Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree

Why stop at one tree? Try making a second green pipe cleaner tree and mix in other tree ornaments like mini retro lights or tiny candy canes.

Tiny Christmas lightbulbs on a pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

Tiny pipe cleaners on a pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

For a candy cane striped tree, use red-and-white pipe cleaners and keep most loops straight to showcase the stripes. Top with a few berries, and you’ve got a festive, whimsical creation.

A pipe cleaner tree with candy cane stripe loops.

Styling Your Pipe Cleaner Christmas Trees

Once your little trees are done, you can pop them just about anywhere.

pipe cleaner Christmas trees styled with a small Christmas house on a kitchen counter.

On a mantel, mixed in with your ornaments, or even in the middle of a Christmas village scene.

They’re light, cute, and super easy to make, which is half the fun.

pipe cleaner Christmas trees sitting beside a Christmas tabletop house.

Whether you’ve been twisting pipe cleaners since childhood or you’re brand-new to the magic, these tiny trees are such a happy little project.

Make one or make a whole forest. Either way, they bring instant holiday cheer wherever they land!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!