Find a nicely shaped branch or branches to use as your Christmas tree. Spray with white matt spray paint. You can also use a bit of silver on the tips to finish it off, if you prefer. Tie the branch to the leg of a table or ‘plant’ it in a heavy-based pot and arrange lightweight decorations on it.

DECORATIONS 
Glass baubles
Buy clear glass baubles and dip them in paint. Leave them to dry then fill them with coloured beads, or coat them in brightly coloured glitter for a contemporary take on a traditional tree decoration.

1 For the paint effect, use diluted, but not too runny, PVA paint to coat a small area on the outside or inside of the bauble. Tie the baubles to a dowel stick and let the excess paint drip off onto a sheet of newspaper.

2 For the glitter effect, lightly spray the outside of the bauble with a thin layer of spray glue. Pour some glitter into a shallow bowl and roll the bauble around in it until it is sufficiently covered.

Paper stars
Use the template to trace the outline of the stars onto the paper of your choice. We used vellum paper and sturdy white, brown and black cardboard. Fold the stars along the folding lines, as indicated. Use a gold or white pen to highlight the fold lines, if you prefer. Make a hole in one tip to thread thin cord through.

Strings of beads
String a selection of beads in a variety of colours and shapes onto a thin piece of wire. We kept to our colour scheme of pink, black, gold and wood to suit the décor theme. TIP Wire is sturdier than string and is easy to wind around the branches – don’t tie it too tightly though as it might break under the strain.

Words and images: Ideas magazine