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Paperback Christmas Tree


Copyright © 2007-2008 Jane Lake All Rights Reserved

This Christmas tree is very easy to make from an old paperback book. The method used to make it is very similar to our Paperback or Reader's Digest Santa Claus craft project which so many people recall making in the 1970s and this Reader's Digest Christmas Tree.

We now also have directions to make a Paperback Snowman.

Paperback Christmas Tree


Supplies:

  • paperback book

  • wooden star

  • gold, silver or green spray paint

  • utility knife or sharp paring knife


Paperback Christmas Tree


Project Instructions:
tfold (11K)
Choose a paperback book with a strong spine and remove the covers.

Slice the spine with a sharp knife to separate the first 30 pages. This will make the first half of the tree.

Begin folding the pages, as shown in the Photo 1, at right. First, fold the top right corner toward the spine to form a right angled triangle.
tfold2 (11K)
Fold the triangle toward the spine again, as shown in Photo 2.

The bottom edge of the page will overhang the bottom of the book.tfold3 (11K)

Fold the overhanging triangle at the bottom of the book back up to form a straight line along the the bottom of page, as shown in Photo 3.

Repeat with all thirty pages and set aside.

Use the knife to slice another 30 pages from the book. Turn this section so the spine is on the right, rather than left. Repeat the steps above to create a mirror image.

Glue the two halves of the Christmas tree together and add a wooden star at the top.

Spray paint the tree all over. You may need two or three coats for complete coverage.

printer (1K)

1-10 of 35 Comments
meredith – forks
Dec 13, 2009 - 12:58

this is a terrible thing to do to a book.

Reply to meredith
Natalia – IL
Dec 14, 2009 - 21:55

I don't think it's such a bad thing to do to a book. I have a lot of old, yellowed paperback novels with missing covers. This is a great way to recycle books which would only be suitable for the recycling plant. This way, the books can be turned into something beautiful, therefore providing continuous joy!

Reply to meredith
Sandra – Ontario, Canada
Dec 21, 2009 - 12:03

we used to make these with the old readers digest but we made angels.

Reply to meredith
Kat – AZ
Dec 30, 2009 - 19:21

Bah, have a little sense of fun.

Reply to meredith
Kat – AZ
Dec 30, 2009 - 19:26

Bah, have a little sense of fun.

manty – brisbane
Dec 13, 2009 - 02:37

the activites are awsome i've completed them all

Theresa – Florida
Dec 10, 2009 - 10:23

We made these similar trees out of Reader's Digest magazines - back in the 70's RD - I think they are too skinny now. We would pull out the mail cards and do the folding. Then we would spray paint in whatever color. We would string multi macaroni shapes and then spray paint that a coordinating metallic color and glue it over the tree as garland

becky – texas
Nov 23, 2009 - 11:33

We made these when I was in school, sure am glad that I found them, been out of school a long time and forgot about them know I can show my my grandson. Thanks

Shell
Oct 19, 2009 - 15:16

I am looking for a decoration my mother (who is now deceased) made using a readers digest. The result was the book was hard, and opened to the middle with a scripture or one side and scripture on the other decoupaged on. It was usually a muted gold color and displayed on an easel.

Kathy – chesterfield England
Dec 14, 2008 - 02:44

I find you paper back book projects for good. They are very calming and soothing to make. They turn out really well Thank you Merry Christmas

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Paperback Christmas Tree





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    All our crafts are free for visitors of All Free Crafts only. Copyright 2002-2009 © Jane Lake All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, re-work or publish our crafts to your blog, group, or web site, by email, or in print, without written permission. Teachers and youth group leaders have special allowances. Please see TOS for details.