CHRISTMAS CARD

Step-by-step: Green-square Christmas tree card

Materials

• Folded card base (one sheet of cardstock folded in half). Example sizes: A4 folded to A5, or 8.5"×11" folded to 5.5"×8.5".

• Green cardstock in several shades (light, medium, dark)

• Yellow cardstock (for the star)

• Brown cardstock (for the trunk)

• Scissors or craft knife and cutting mat

• Glue stick or liquid craft glue

• Pencil and ruler

• Optional: bone folder, tweezers, pencil eraser

Measurements (suggested)

• Squares: about 4.5 cm (1¾ in) per side (you can use 4–6 cm depending on card size)

• Star: about 4 cm (1½ in) across

• Trunk: about 3 cm × 4.5 cm (1¼ in × 1¾ in)

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Steps

1. Prepare the card base.
   Fold your background cardstock in half to make the card. Decide whether the tree will be centered on the front.

2. Cut the green squares.
   Using your ruler and pencil, draw and cut the squares from the different green shades. For a 5-row triangle layout use 15 squares total (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5). If you want more layers, cut more squares accordingly.

3. Cut the star and trunk.
   Cut a small star from yellow cardstock and a small rectangle from brown cardstock for the trunk.

4. Plan the layout on the card (dry run).
   Before gluing, place the squares on the card to form a tree shape: one square at the top, then a row of two below it, then three, etc., forming a centered triangle. Rotate each square 45° so the square looks like a diamond (as in the picture). Overlap them slightly so the bottom point of a top diamond tucks under the top point of the diamond below.

5. Mark a faint center line (optional).
   Lightly draw a vertical center line with pencil on the card to help keep rows centered and straight.

6. Glue from top to bottom.
   Start with the top square. Put a small amount of glue on the back center of each square (not necessarily on the whole surface) and press it into place so it overlaps the squares below. Work row by row downward. This keeps the overlaps neat and prevents shifting. Use tweezers for small precise placement if you like.

7. Make consistent overlaps.
   Aim for an even overlap (e.g., 0.5–1 cm) between squares so the tree looks textured and layered. Keep the diamonds aligned so the tree sides slope evenly.

8. Attach the trunk and star.
   Glue the brown rectangle centered under the bottom row as the trunk. Glue the yellow star on top of the topmost square.

9. Let dry and erase pencil marks.
   Allow glue to dry fully. Gently erase any visible pencil lines.

10. Add finishing touches (optional).

• Write a greeting inside (e.g., “Merry Christmas!”).

• Add small paper circles or sequins as ornaments if desired.

• If you want a cleaner professional finish, trim any squares that stick outside the card edge.

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Tips & safety

• Do a dry layout first so you can change colors/placement before gluing.

• Use a bone folder to press squares flat for a clean look.

• Supervise children when using scissors or craft knives.

• If using liquid glue, use small amounts to avoid warping the cardstock.

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