Make and Create: Christmas Joy Tree Topper
What You’ll Need to Make your Christmas Joy Tree Topper
- Dry floral foam (the kind used for artificial floral displays – we used a brick but you could also use foam balls)
- Dowel – 1 x piece (approx. 1cm x 40-45cm)
- Selection of Floral Sprays – approx. 7 – 10 pieces depending on the size and structure of your display
- Selection of Feature Flowers – 1 x large flower or 3 x smaller flowers
- Ribbons and Bows (optional – if you’d like to include a feature bow as part of your tree topper arrangement)
- Hot glue gun
- Spray paint – colour matched to your tree (doesn’t have to be exact, but you will use it to camouflage the base pieces of the tree topper against your tree)
- Wire cutters
- Cable ties (optional - to secure to tree)
How to Create your Christmas Joy Tree Topper
Step 1 First, we’ll create a pick base to build your tree topper on. Depending on the piece/type of floral foam that you are using, you might need to prepare it to the required size. If you are using a foam brick, we suggest cutting a piece that is approx. 5cm wide off the end of the brick and that will leave you with a piece that is approx. 11cm high and 5cm deep [gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/christmas-joy-tree-topper-tools-supplies.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/christmas-joy-tree-topper-insert-dowel-foam.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/christmas-joy-tree-topper-paint-dowel-foam.jpg|"] Next, use the point of scissors or a screwdriver to create a 1cm wide hole in the base of the foam brick. This is where you will insert the piece of dowel. Apply some hot glue to the tip of the dowel and insert it into the hole you have created in the foam. Spray paint the dowel and foam to match the colour of your tree. The intention here is to have the base pieces coloured as closely as possible to the needles on your tree so that they do not stand out when it is all put in place. If your foam is already green, then of course you won’t need to worry about painting it. You could also choose to cover the foam with a piece of artificial moss mat but it’s not really necessary as it will be heavily covered with all the lovely florals you are about to add. Step 2 Select the floral pieces that you will be using for your display. For a design like the one we have done, you’ll need approximately 10 pieces in total, across 3 or 4 different designs. [gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/glitter-7.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/country_christmas_wood_plaque_with_red_berry_lifestyle.jpg|,https://www.thechristmascart.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/5.jpg|"] Indicatively, for the Christmas Joy Tree Topper, we have used:- 2 - 3 x Champagne Glitter Feather Spray
- 1 - 2 x Green Glitter Feather Spray
- 1 x Sage & Silver Pinecone Spray Trio
- 1 x Eucalyptus Bush Spray
- 1 x Large Sage Fabric Poinsettia Flower Clip - feature
- 1 x Champagne and Cream Poinsettia Flower Clip - feature
- Height: a tree topper is your chance to extend the beauty of your tree even taller and create maximum majestic and luxurious appeal. Choose a floral piece to sit tall at the top/back of your display. Sprays are perfect for this.
- Dimension: consider your tree topper as a multi-dimensional arrangement. Choose a variety of pieces with the view to extending them up, down, left and right. Which pieces look best sitting upright? Which lend themselves to draping and flowing forwards and to the side? You’ll need pieces of varying lengths to create a full and luscious display.
- Perspective – direction: remember that your tree topper will be placed up high, on the top of your tree. Depending on the height of your tree, this might mean that your tree topper is being viewed from the front, or perhaps even from below and looking up. But it is unlikely that it will be viewed purely from the top. Design and create your tree topper with the end perspective/viewing angle in mind for maximum impact.
- Perspective – tree position/placement: the position/placement of your tree will impact how you need to create your final tree topper piece. If your tree is in a corner or against a wall, then you’re tree topper won’t necessarily need to be decorated/completed on the reverse side that won’t be viewed. But if your tree is positioned in an open space and will be viewed from all sides/angles, then you’ll need to make sure that you create a tree topper that is full and complete when seen from all sides.
- Texture: be sure to choose floral pieces with a variety of texture to add plenty of interest to your tree topper. A combination of glitter and sparkles, natural-looking floral pieces and a variety of fabrics and materials will ensure an interesting and impressive feature at the top of your tree.
- Colour: just as a variety of textures helps to create interest, colour selection is important too. Choose colours from a co-ordinating palette and be sure to reference and complement the colours used throughout your tree and other Christmas décor for a beautifully co-ordinated overall finish.