How to Make a Vintage Christmas Tree Garland

Today is an exciting day. I love partnering with other bloggers to share some DIY and home inspiration and it’s time for a I DIYed That Christmas Blog Hop! If you have popped over from Laura at Junque Cottage, a big welcome to you. I am so glad to have you over here, where I love to share DIY projects at our farmhouse. Once you catch a little inspiration here, be sure to visit the other thirteen bloggers in this festive blog hop!

I absolutely love to decorate for Christmas {just like most of us do!} and have been like this my entire life. There is just something so special about this magical season that brings so much joy to my home. And I want to share a little Christmas love with you by showing you how to make the easiest vintage book Christmas tree garland ever. I’ve got a major weakness for vintage books and couldn’t wait to create something using some pages from one of them. So, let’s get started and gather together the supplies needed:

Sheets from a vintage book (I used 35…5 for each tree. The amount needed will depend upon how many trees you would like to create.}
Christmas tree cookie cutter {or stencil…or go ahead and free hand it!}
Pencil
Stapler
Scissors
Glue stick
Jute {twine, rope, yarn…whichever you prefer}
Scotch tape

Now that we have our supplies gathered, let’s get to creating!

1. Make sure that your tree shape is smaller than the book pages that you will be using. If it isn’t, use a larger book or a smaller tree. My tree was 5 inches tall.

2. Tear out 5 pages at a time and trace one tree onto the top page with a pencil.

3. Keeping the 5 sheets in a stack, staple them together down the center of the tree stencil. I did two staples per tree.

4. Cut out the entire stack of the outlined tree at one time.

5. Apply glue to one half of the very top tree page. Very gently, affix this to the other half of this same page. Leave the other pages flat {for now}.

6. Very gently, bend the next 3 pages up; and leave the bottom page flat. Be gentle with this step because, depending upon the age of your book, the sheets may be a little brittle.

7. Cut your jute the length that is needed for the garland. Affix the jute to the back of the trees with the tape, allowing for whatever appropriate spacing is needed between your trees for your particular garland.

8. Hang your vintage book Christmas tree garland! You can attach it using tape, push pins, or by tying it to your surface.

The best part of this DIY {besides how cute it is}: it can be done for free! Simply use whatever you have on hand. Don’t have a vintage book? Use any book you don’t mind tearing pages out of! A little tip about vintage books: grab any that you find for a good price. Honesty moment: I don’t ever spend more than $1 on each book. I buy any that I find for less than $1 and if I don’t like the cover, I tear it off and display it without a cover. Sometimes I don’t even look at the title of the book, and just buy it for the old worn look. Keep your eyes open and pick up any vintage books that are cheap…then you won’t feel bad tearing the pages out of them!

Do you see that pretty “Let it Snow” pillow on my rocking chair? It’s from the super sweet Amy at Our Ginger Cottage. She has got the cutest Etsy shop and some of her pillows can even be customized! I am looking forward to using this pillow through Christmas, as well as during the winter season.

Thanks for stopping by, friend! If you make one of these vintage book Christmas tree garlands, please send me a picture as I would love to see it.

Now, take a quick moment to see the beautiful Christmas tree skirt that Leslie at My 100 Year Old Home created. And then, refill your hot cocoa and visit all of my blogger friends…I promise that you will be inspired to create!

xo,

Leigh