Introduction: Twinkle Christmas Tree 3D Greeting Card

Build own your lighting Christmas tree greeting card using shopping bags and gift tissue paper and write a message on the tree. So, you can put this tree card into a envelope and sent it as a greeting card for your family and friends. When you close velcro between layers of the tree, the tree lights up.

time to make : 1 hour ~ 1hour 30 min.

Tech D.I.Y. (http://techdiy.blogspot.com/) encourages mothers to learn about technology with their kids in ways that are simple and fun. The kits and instructions teach electronic crafts and have solid engineering lessons behind them.

Step 1: Christmas Tree : Materials

- four sheets of colored paper which are 10 inch x 8 inch
- sixteen sheets of tissue paper which are 10 inch x 8 inch
  • I cut a shopping bag and tissue paper to make these paper materials. You can reuse your shopping bags and the tissue paper as well.
- eight ultra bright LED(white, 3mm)
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=531 (5mm$1.95)
You can use any regular 5mm LED as well.
- one 3v coin battery(CR2032, $0.75)
http://www.cheapbatteries.com/coin.htm
- sixteen thin white wires 10 inch long
- two sets of white Velcro which is 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch
- some tape
- a pair of scissors
- a needle nose plier(optional)
- a pencil
- a hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 2: Christmas Tree : Step-by-Step Instruction

1. fold colored paper and tissue paper in half and cut tree shapes
The first thing we need to do is to cut trees, stars, and a pocket using templates. You can download the template pdf file in below URL.
Christmas Tree Template download
Fold a piece of paper in half and place the templates. Cut outside using scissors and cut inside using a blade.

2. attach tree shapes using a tape
Connect the tree papers using tape. So, when you complete and are ready to connect, it will actually stand-alone.

3. band legs of 8 LEDs
We will attach the LEDs on the tree. We have 8 LEDs and we will wind wires on the LEDs' legs. Band the legs of the LED to the outside.

4. wind wires on LED legs
When you finished band the legs of LEDs, band wires on the legs. The white wires will be attached to the positive leg of LED and the yellows wires will be attached to the negative leg of LED. There are two ends of wires which are striped one long and one short. Band the one stripped wire around the LED legs.

5. push the wires through middle of each tree
We will insert the LEDs in the middle of the tree. Make a little hole using a blade in the middle of the tree and push the wires through the hole and pull out the wires. Insert the wires in each section of the tree and pull out the wires to one section of the tree.

6. divide the wires to negative and positive
In this side you can see the all wires come out. We need to divide wires positive and negative. You can divide white wires for positive group and yellow wires for negative group.

7. tie wires and attach them on the tree
Tie the yellow wires together and attach them to the right side using a glue gun and then, tie the rest of the white wires and attach them to the left side.

8. attach the paper to hold coin battery
Now, we will make a pocket for inserting a coin battery. Place the coin battery over the negative wires and attach the pocket using a hot glue gun over the battery. Make sure the pocket should hold the battery tightly. When you close the tree, you should see the LEDs light up.

9. attach Velcro to touch negative wires with battery
Attach a set of Velcro on the top and bottom of the pockets and on the other side of the tree as well. We are almost done!

10. insert the 3v coin battery
Insert the 3V coin battery into the pocket so that the positive side of battery will touch the other side of wires though a hole of the pocket.

11. Finish!
When you close the Velcro, see the lighting is turned on!
Enjoy~

If you need more information for making it, please visit TechDIY.orgsite.

Step 3: Christmas Tree : How to Use

You can wire some messages inside of the tree and use this tree as a card.
Put it in an envelop and send it by mail. It will be a beautiful present for your family and friends.

More decoration~
You can add a star top of the tree or make a hole using a hole punch.

For more information and pictures on TechDIY.org site.