Not in the mood for a real christmas tree, feeling arty, and happen to have loads of cardboard lying around? Why not make a christmas tree out of it? Here’s how to do that.

Tip: Try not to sit on your cardboard while measuring and cutting. Unless you like the knee dents, then by all means, go ahead.

What do you need?

• 2 large sheets of cardboard (105 cm / 42 in high, and 80 cm / 32 in wide)
• 1 geometry triangle
• 1 long ruler
• 1 pair of scissors and/or 1 cutter knife
• 1 cutting board
• a couple of gold spray paint cans

How to make that tree

1. Starting at the bottom corners, use your geometry triangle to measure a 30° angle, then draw a line measuring 20 cm (8 in).

2. From your new point, measure a downward angle of 25° and draw a line measuring 10 cm (4 in).

3. From your new point, draw a line that’s parallel with the 30° angle from step 1. The line measures 20 cm (8 in).

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you reach the top of the tree.Note: The lines of the top will be slightly longer than 20 cm (8 in) to create a nice top.

5. Put the cardboard on your cutting board and use your long ruler and cutter knife to cut the tree out. Be careful when cutting the corners. Note: If your cardboard isn’t too thick, you can use a pair of scissors instead.

6. Use the cut cardboard as a template to draw the second part of the tree. Cut this part out as well.

7. On both parts, measure where the centre point is, both in lenght and width.

8. On part 1, draw a line from the top of the tree to the centre of the tree. On part 2, draw a line from the centre of the tree to the bottom of the tree.

9. Measure how thick your cardboard is.

10. Use your geometry triangle to copy the thickness of your cardboard onto the centre line. In doing so, make sure that the centre line remains in the centre of the tree.

11. Cut the slit you just drew on both parts.

12. Slide both parts into each other.

All ready for lights and presents!