We’re almost halfway through October now, and while we haven’t yet celebrated Halloween, we’re already thinking about Christmas: what we’ll be cooking, where we’ll get our tree (and what type of tree it’ll be) and, of course, what decorations we’ll put up.
While we love being reunited with our Advent calendars and ceramic villages, Christmas decorations are always more fun if you craft ’em yourself. That’s why we’re absolutely in love with these crocheted Christmas trees—and think they’re a perfect choice to deck the halls this holiday season. Here’s how they’re made!
Can Anybody Make Them?
First, these wee Christmas trees are beyond adorable. The mini ornament beads? The bows on top? Aww! They’re each about 4 inches tall and 2-1/2 inches wide, and that cute, sparkly ribbon actually serves as a hanger so you can add the tree to your actual Christmas tree. Of course, you don’t have to use it as an ornament; they’re definitely able to stand on their own.
But the best thing about these tiny Tannenbaums might be how easy they are to make. Even if you don’t frequently crochet, you’ll be able to make them—they come with pages of instructions as well as a boatload of step-by-step images to guide you. And of course, you shouldn’t feel beholden to making a green tree; you can pick whatever color feels most festive to you!
Where Can I Find the Pattern?
If you’re ready to start creating a cute forest of multicolored Christmas trees, the pattern, complete with the instructions and guide images, is available on Etsy for $3.99.
You Can Bake a Forest, Too!
Delight family and friends with this holly jolly Christmas tree cookie recipe. Iced with creamy frosting and dusted with sparkly colored sugars, the 3-D cookie trees are as delicious as they are beautiful!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Your guests will adore this pull-apart treat shaped like a festive evergreen. Each roll is tender, flaky and flavored with a homemade herb butter, sure to make mouths water. If you like, add decorations to the tree using seasonings or veggies. —Kathryn Pollock, Tropic, Utah
For ages, my brother's family and I have gotten together on Christmas Eve, and we always eat
Christmas snacks while we open our presents. This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again. —Laurie Pester, Colstrip, Montana
Here's a fun holiday recipe children can help with. And no cookie cutters are needed! I just shape the dough into a triangular log, refrigerate it and cut it into tree-shaped slices to bake and decorate. Broken pretzel sticks form the tree trunks. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Coconut turns ordinary butterhorn rolls into a tropical treat! The tree shape is fun for Christmas. —Carolyn Faust, Caldwell, Texas
I serve my layered, Kahlua-spiked wedges every year at our annual Christmas party. They're so decadent, and the Pirouette cookies for the tree trunks make them fun. —Erica Janssen, Lindstrom, Minnesota
You can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York
Fun and festive, these cookie sandwich trees will be a huge hit with kids of all ages. They're a super-cute holiday treat! —Steve Foy, Kirkwood, Missouri
Topped with festive pepper stars, this appetizer tree consists of tender yeast rolls with a savory cream cheese filling. It's good with or without the crabmeat. —Maryalice Wood, Langley, British Columbia
My son, Jeremy, is 36 but acts as if he's 5 when he sees these brownies—I've been making them for more than 30 years! My daughter, Jayme, and my four grandchildren love them, too. If you're short on time, a boxed mix works just fine. —Jeannine Schneider, Fremont, California
People say they love my coconut macaroon-like Christmas trees because they look so festive. Once decorated, these trees light up a room—just like the real thing. —Michelle Retterer, Marysville, Ohio
It's so fast and easy to make these rolls for the holiday. What a sweet way to celebrate Christmas morning! —Alyssa Helm, Caledonia, Michigan
Using prepared cookie dough gives you a nice head start to your own little forest of Christmas trees. Get the kids involved in this holiday craft to keep them busy making memories.—Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
I recommend serving these cookies with tea. They're not too sweet and the lemon and rosemary pair well with a cup of Earl Grey tea.—Sarah Reynolds, Victoria, British Columbia
Christmas tree pull-apart bread is arranged in a festive shape for the Yuletide season, but the yeast rolls can also be baked in a 13x9-inch baking pan. —Lorri Reinhardt, Big Bend, Wisconsin
Surprise guests with a fun holiday treat—dipped cheesecake wedges you can eat without a fork. Whenever my son has one, he jokes that he wants to quit his job so he can sell them! —Maria Morelli, Kelowna, British Columbia