Hey y’all! Craig here from With the Bickhams, and today I’m super excited to share Melissa’s latest Christmas crafting project — how to make your very own Christmas Tree Topper. With the holiday season right around the corner, we know everyone is getting ready to pull out their decorations and make their homes merry and bright. This project is perfect for anyone who wants to add a personal touch to their tree this year, and trust me, it’s a lot easier than you might think!
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps Melissa uses to create a gorgeous Christmas tree topper with picks and stems, and we’ll give you plenty of tips on how to make it your own. Whether you’re going for traditional Christmas colors like reds, silvers, and whites (like Melissa did in her video), or you want to switch things up and use different colors, this project can be adapted to fit any style or theme.
So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, gather your crafting supplies, and let’s get started!
Materials You’ll Need
Melissa picked up a lot of her supplies from Hobby Lobby, and we’re also using a few products from our own Small Town Wreath Shop. Here’s what you’ll need to create your tree topper:
- Picks and stems in the colors and textures you want. (Melissa chose reds, silvers, and whites, but feel free to mix it up with your favorite holiday colors.)
- Zip ties to hold everything together.
- Pipe cleaners or chenille stems to attach your bow and secure everything in place.
- Bow-making supplies (ribbon, scissors, etc.). Don’t worry if you don’t know how to make a bow yet — we’ve got a bow-making tutorial on our YouTube channel to help you out.
- A sturdy Christmas tree with a spine you can attach your topper to.
Once you’ve gathered all your materials, you’re ready to dive into the fun part!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Choose Your Picks and Stems
The first step in making your Christmas tree topper is picking out the picks and stems you want to use. This is where you can really let your creativity shine! You can choose long, full picks for the base and then layer in smaller, more delicate ones on top. Mixing different textures and colors will make your tree topper really stand out.
Melissa chose a mix of red berries, silver branches, and white frosted stems for a traditional but festive look. The great thing about this project is that you can customize it however you want. Whether you love the classic red and green or want something more modern with golds, pinks, or blues, the choice is yours.
When choosing your picks and stems, it’s all about finding pieces that fit your personal style and complement the rest of your tree decorations.
2. Start Layering Your Picks
Now that you’ve got all your supplies, it’s time to start layering your picks and stems. Start with the longest and fullest ones at the bottom. These will form the base of your tree topper and give it some height and volume. Lay them out on your work surface, and as Melissa says in her tutorial, don’t be afraid to play around with the arrangement until you get it just right.
After you’ve laid down the base layer, start adding in the shorter, more delicate picks on top. The key here is to weave the pieces together. Take a few branches from the first layer and bring them up through the second layer. This weaving will help hold everything together and give your tree topper a more cohesive look.
Layering your picks is really about creating depth and texture. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect right away — you can always fluff and adjust everything as you go. The more variety in your picks (like berries, glittery branches, or frosted stems), the more dynamic and interesting your topper will look.
3. Secure Everything with Zip Ties
Once you’ve got your picks layered and arranged just how you like them, it’s time to secure everything with zip ties. Use a couple of zip ties to hold the bottom of the picks together. You don’t need to overdo it — just make sure everything is snug and secure.
The great thing about using zip ties is that they’re easy to adjust if you need to make any changes later on. Once everything is in place, you can go back and trim the ends of the zip ties so they’re not visible.
4. Make and Attach Your Bow
A Christmas tree topper wouldn’t be complete without a big, beautiful bow! If you’ve never made a bow before, don’t worry — we’ve got a tutorial on our With the Bickhams YouTube channel that walks you through how to make one. Melissa likes to use ribbon that matches the colors of the picks, so for this project, she went with a red and silver bow that tied everything together beautifully.
When you’ve made your bow, attach it right below the lower section of the topper using a pipe cleaner or chenille stem. Be sure to leave some long draping tails on the bow for an extra festive touch. These tails will cascade down the tree and add even more dimension to your topper.
5. Attach the Topper to the Tree
Now for the moment of truth — attaching your gorgeous creation to the top of your Christmas tree! Melissa shows in her video how to carefully attach the topper to the spine of the tree. You’ll want to weave the base of the topper into the top branches of the tree and zip tie it to the spine for stability.
Once it’s secured, take a few moments to fluff and adjust the picks, stems, and bow to make sure everything looks just right. The great thing about this topper is that it’s customizable, so you can adjust the height and fullness to your liking. If you want a taller topper, simply use longer picks and stems. If you want something a little smaller, go for shorter, more compact picks.
6. Step Back and Admire Your Masterpiece
Now that your tree topper is securely in place, it’s time to step back and admire your handiwork. You did that! Take a moment to appreciate all the layers, textures, and colors you’ve used. Doesn’t it look amazing?
One of the best things about making your own Christmas tree topper is that it’s truly one-of-a-kind. You can’t buy this in a store — it’s a piece of decor that reflects your personal style and creativity. And the best part? You made it with your own two hands!
Why DIY Tree Toppers Are So Special
There’s something so satisfying about making your own holiday decorations, don’t you think? When you create something yourself, it just feels more special. Plus, crafting is such a great way to spend time with family and friends, especially during the holidays. You can turn on some Christmas music, have a little hot cocoa, and craft together. It’s all about the memories you make along the way.
If you’ve never made a Christmas tree topper before, don’t worry! Melissa’s tutorial makes it easy, and once you get the hang of layering the picks and tying everything together, you’ll be able to create toppers for all sorts of trees. You can even make smaller versions for wreaths or garlands to coordinate with your tree.
And the best part? You can reuse your DIY tree topper year after year. Just pack it up with your holiday decorations, and next Christmas, you’ll have a beautiful topper ready to go!
Final Thoughts
We hope this tutorial has inspired you to get creative with your Christmas decorating this year! Making your own tree topper is such a fun and rewarding project, and it’s a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Whether you stick with the classic reds, silvers, and whites like Melissa, or choose your own unique color scheme, your topper will be a showstopper.
Thank y’all so much for following along with us, and be sure to check out the YouTube video below to see Melissa’s step-by-step guide. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more DIY tutorials, and follow us on all our social media platforms for more tips, recipes, and holiday inspiration.
Happy crafting, and Merry Christmas from With the Bickhams!
Watch the YouTube tutorial below!