How to Make a Beautiful Recycled Christmas Tree Star Topper

Anyone can make this beautiful star-shaped Christmas tree topper with just a few simple materials found around the house. This craft can be done by older children or you can help a younger child. I made this star topper with my two-year-old daughter.

You will need:
thick paperboard (cereal or food box)
tape
glitter in any color (we chose red)
glue
scissors
pencil
ruler

First, use your pencil and ruler to draw or trace your star shape onto a piece of paperboard. If you can print out a star shape from your computer and then trace it, it may be easier. Be sure that the star is the size and shape you want for your tree. Once you have it the way that you like it, cut it out and set it aside.

Next, take a piece of the paperboard and curl it around itself to make a cone. The trick is to make sure that your cone is not too wide at the base. It must be just wide enough to fit over the top branch of your tree. The cone should be fairly long and thin so that it will fit down snugly over the top branch and keep the star from toppling over.

Once you have the cone the size and shape you like, use your scissors to snip off any excess on the side and secure the cone with one or two pieces of strong tape. Use the scissors to trim around the top and base of the cone so that the edges are nice and straight and line up well. The joint where the tape is holding the cone together will be in the back.

Use the scissors to make two incisions on opposite sides of the top of the cone. Make one to the left of the seam about ¼ inch deep and another identical to it to the right of the seam. The bottom of your star should slide neatly and snugly down into these slits at the top of the cone. (See photo)

Once you have the body of your topper put together you are ready to add the glitter. Spread glue over one entire surface of the star. Sprinkle with glitter until all of the glue is completely covered. Gently tap the glitter down onto the glue with the flat length of one finger to ensure that it is stuck well. Then turn the star over and gently tap off the excess glitter. Do the same for the other side of your star. Then set the star upright on a table to dry. Once the star is completely dry (wait a few hours), do the same for the cone base. Coat the cone entirely in glue and sprinkle glitter on to be sure that all of the glue is covered. Tap off the excess glue and set your Christmas tree topper somewhere where it will be able to dry undisturbed for a few hours. Once it is completely dry, make sure you tap off any additional excess glitter. It is ready to use on your tree!