Old Magazines turned into Christmas Trees using simple Origami

Leslie D
by Leslie D
Don't know what to do with your old magazines? This is a simple, quick project (about an hour total), to turn a magazine into a Christmas Tree. See photos for the tutorial. This would be a great project for the kids because it's so easy!
Start with an old magazine. Use one that has good, thick sheets, not the really thin page ones. Choose different sizes. Wine Spectator is good for a big tree, or cut down if you need a smaller size. 200 pgs seems to be a good size.
This is what you will end up with, with your own spin of colors, decoration, etc, or just leave plain.
To start, tear off the cover, and discard, unless it's the same paper weight as the pages. Start with the 1st page, and fold down the upper corner into a triangle.
Fold the triangle you made with the first fold again. Fold against the binding as tightly as possible to assure a uniform look with all pages.
Take the "tail" that is hanging longer than the magazine, and fold it under, tucking it in between the folds you have made.
Do this for about 30-45 minutes, and you end up with a magazine tree.
Spray paint to the color desired. I use a silver chrome spray on mine.
I wanted some teal to go in my living room, so I used a cake decorating stencil and stenciled on some stars, using acrylic paint. You can decorate any way you see fit, hot gluing ornaments, garland, etc., or just leave plain!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Susie Susie on Feb 07, 2018

    How do u spray paint this tree & get it evenly coated?

  • Shashanda Shashanda on Dec 05, 2019

    How many magazines did you use

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 44 comments
  • Shirley Kalinosky Shirley Kalinosky on Nov 15, 2016
    Some of the catalogs I receive would be great for this project. I used to have a Mr and Mrs Santa made from old larger Readers' Digest mags. This is great! thank you for the reminder!
  • Denisenewby Denisenewby on Nov 03, 2017

    We used Reader's digest and folding to make Santa and Mrs. Clause! Different fold, add craft doll's head, cotton and accessories after painting red! Have been waiting for granddaughter to get old enough to help... "everything old is new again!" Thanks for the memories!

Next