Starry Night Pop Up Christmas Tree Card
Some crafts feel like cracking open a tiny window to Christmas Eve. This pop up tree card does exactly that. Open it and a folded evergreen lifts from a midnight sky dotted with stars. It is simple enough for kids, neat enough for gift giving, and uses supplies you likely have on hand. Set out a family table with paper, glue, and cocoa, then make a batch for teachers, neighbors, and grandparents.
Materials
- Sturdy cardstock for the card base - navy or deep blue works best
- Green construction paper or craft cardstock in 2 to 4 shades
- Gold or yellow cardstock for the star
- Scrap of brown paper for the trunk
- White, silver, or metallic gel pen for stars
- Glue stick or white craft glue
- Scissors
- Ruler and pencil
- (Optional) Bone folder for crisp folds
- (Optional) Tiny star stickers, glitter glue, or sequins
- (Optional) Double sided tape for a cleaner inside seam
Finished card size: 5.5 x 8.5 in when open (fold a standard 8.5 x 11 in sheet in half). Metric option - fold an A4 sheet in half for an A5 card.
Step by Step Instructions
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Prepare the card base
Fold the navy cardstock cleanly down the middle. Run a bone folder or the back of a spoon along the fold for a crisp crease. Keep the card standing like a book.
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Cut the tree strips
From the green papers, cut 4 to 5 rectangles, each 2 in tall (5 cm) with descending widths. Suggested widths in inches: 6, 5, 4, 3.25, 2.5. Metric widths in cm: 15, 12.5, 10, 8, 6.5.
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Score and accordion fold
Lightly score each rectangle every 0.5 in (1.25 cm), then accordion fold back and forth. Aim for neat, even pleats.
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Turn folds into fan halves
Bring the two short ends of each folded strip together to create a semi circle fan. Glue or tape the ends so each piece holds its shape.
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Add a small trunk
Cut a brown rectangle about 0.5 x 1.25 in (1.2 x 3 cm). Glue it centered at the bottom of the card fold so the top peeks above the crease line.
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Build the pop up tree
Open the card flat. Starting with the largest fan, run a thin line of glue along the straight edge of the fan and align it to the center fold, sitting just above the trunk. Press and hold. Stack the remaining fans from large to small, keeping all straight edges on the fold. Leave a small gap between layers so the tiers are visible.
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Top with a star
Cut a gold star about 1.25 in (3 cm) wide. Glue it at the peak of the smallest fan, slightly overlapping the fold so it rises when the card opens.
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Dot the night sky
Use the white or metallic pen to add snow like dots and tiny stars on both inside panels. Cluster a few near the tree for sparkle, then scatter smaller dots outward.
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Decorate the front
Close the card. Write Season’s Greetings or Merry Christmas on the cover. Add a simple snowy hill line along the bottom or a small cluster of stars in one corner.
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Dry and flatten
Let glue set 15 minutes. To keep the card flat, place it closed under a heavy book for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Safety note: Younger crafters should use safety scissors. An adult can handle the star cutting and any precision trimming.
Wrap Up
That is it. A tiny evergreen that springs to life the moment the card opens. Make one as a keepsake for a child’s memory box, or set up an assembly line and create a festive stack for teachers, coaches, and neighbors. Try different skies like deep plum or charcoal, mix in patterned greens, or add a sprinkle of glitter for extra magic. Share your finished cards with us so we can cheer you on and inspire other families to craft along this Christmas season.