Pop-up Christmas Tree

With this instructable I’ll show you how to make a 3D Christmas tree you can send through the post. I used them as Christmas cards last year. They look complicated but are really simple to put together and are powered by a rubber band. I’ve included a blank template you can print and decorate.

Supplies

1 Sheet A4 card (reasonably stiff is best)

1 small rubber band

Glue

Knife/scissors

Ruler

Step 1: Print Template

Print out the template. I’ve left it blank so you can decorate it how you like (decorate the other side of the tree, the one shown is the inside)

Step 2: Cut and Score

Cut out the shapes and score along the lines.

Step 3: Fold

Fold along the lines and fold the tabs as shown.

Step 4: Glue Trunk Together

Glue the tabs on the 2 halves of the trunk so that the tabs point inwards as shown

Step 5: Add Elastic Band

Cut a short slot down the sides of the tabs ( this is easier to do before you glue it together). Use the slots to insert the rubber band. The rubber band needs to be slightly shorter than the diagonal of the trunk so it’s tight when the trunk is square. It’s best if the band is not too tight however as that can distort the trunk .

Step 6: Glue in Card Stop

Turn the trunk upside down and glue the rectangle of card to the tab on one side of the trunk (as shown in red). This piece of card stops the rubber band pulling the trunk too much and maintains the square shape.

Step 7: Glue Trunk to Tree

Glue one tab on the top of the trunk to the area indicated on the tree main body (area shown in red). The easiest way to do this is to lay the tree body flat, turn the trunk upside down and glue the tab as shown.

Step 8: Complete Tree

Glue the 2nd tab to the other part marked on the card. The easiest way to do this is to fold the trunk flat, apply glue (or double sided tape) to the tab then fold the tree body over the top. Finally glue the tab on the tree body to the other side to complete the tree.

Step 9:

To send through the post I put a paper clip on the trunk to hold it closed, it will then be flat enough to fit in an envelope. All the person at the other end has to do is remove the clip and the tree will pop-up using the power of the rubber band.