Can I say Christmas tree?

 

 

“Christmas tree! Christmas tree! Christmas tree!”

 

 

There, I said it. Three times.

 

 

Well, four if we’re being technical and counting was my strong point.

 

 

 

 

 

Have you noticed the “Say ‘Happy Holidays’–not ‘Merry Christmas!'” movement has got the Christmas tree in its frosty clutch? Well, I’m here to release it– at least here, where it’s just us.

 

Because, come on, it’s not a “conical tree” or “pointy foliage that beckons for presents to be stashed below”, or the oft-used “holiday tree” any more than a menorah is a “holiday candelabra”.

 

 

Eh hem. Stepping off soap box now. The air was getting a little thin up there.

 

 

And if that didn’t get you totally in the mood to make a DIY Eucalyptus Bark funnel-shaped, conoid* object, I don’t know what will!

 

*Real word, I promise.

 

 

So, let’s get started, shall we?

 

 

You know what the best part of this project is? It’s that if you happen to live somewhere where Eucalyptus trees shed so much bark that it’s littering the ground like refuse (so much so that you figure you are totally doing something awesome by picking it up–like gratis garden service!–and that maybe as you stroll by with your plastic bag of bark droppings dangling from your wrist your neighbors should be thanking you instead of giving you the, “Do you live around here?” look) then this project is practically free.**

 

 

**That is, if you already own a hot glue gun, an 8 1/2 ” x 11″ (or larger) piece of card stock, scissors and a stapler.

 

Supplies:

 

Eucalyptus bark

 

Tiny pinecone (preferably one you found somewhere near your feet, while out walking)

 

Scissors

 

Hot glue gun

 

8 1/2″ x 11″ (or bigger) piece of card stock. Tip: I dismantled a paper gift box from the 99 Cents Only Store to make the larger tree.

 

Stapler (optional)

 

 

 

Don’t use a stapler this small. It made for a cute photo, but a ridiculous stapler that was nowhere near big enough (too short) or strong enough to do the job. Note: Use a full-size stapler or just hot glue everything I tell you to staple and you’ll be fine.

 

 

 

 

 

Sort through your bark for the best pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

Break them into bits.

 

 

 

 

Roll your paper into a cone shape that already totally resembles…a Christmas tree!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staple or hot glue the cone into place. Trim the excess so the bottom will sit flat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use a glue gun to attach the bark pieces to the bottom of your cone and work your way up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until you reach the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hot glue a tiny pinecone (these fall from our Redwood tree and litter our yard like Eucalyptus bark litters the yards of others) to the top. Tip: A tiny star cut from cardboard and spray painted silver or gold or a metallic mini ball ornament would be cute, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wipe away any wisps of dried glue with an old (dry) toothbrush or hairbrush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And use them to decorate!

 

 

 

Like this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or this…

 

 

Aside: I love this weird side table I found years ago at a garage sale that looks like a book that sprouted legs. Visible stains on the carpet (left side of photo), eh, not so much. And that is why soon, soon, can-hardly wait, soon we’ll be ripping it up and installing hardwood!

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, back to this project, I think you will love your DIY Eucalyptus Bark trees. They’re inexpensive, easy to make, and just really say…

 

 

 

Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

To see more projects from some other creative bloggers, check out the Link Party Palooza, here.

Thank you to Craftberry Bush, The Golden Sycamore and Design Dining Diapers for featuring this blog post in their link party! 🙂