How to Make An Angel Tree Topper Out of Recycled Materials

If you enjoy handmade Christmas decorations, make an angel tree topper DIY for the top of your Christmas Tree!

I was asked to make an angel tree topper by one of my YouTube subscribers, Alyssa. After giving it a lot of thought, I wanted to keep it simple. I decided to use mostly recycled materials.

I made a Recycled Scarecrow Centerpiece for Thanksgiving, so it seemed appropriate to make the angel tree topper out of recycled materials too!

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If you want to see how I made the string Christmas tree, you can Click Here!

Materials Needed to Make an Angel Christmas Tree Topper

  • Brown paper shopping bag
  • White acrylic paint
  • Gold acrylic paint
  • Black fine permanent marker
  • Red permanent marker
  • Unfinished wood ball
  • Hot glue
  • Ribbon
  • Thin wire
  • Yarn or rope for hair
  • Glitter
  • Flesh acrylic paint (optional)

How To Make Angel Christmas Tree Topper Video

If you prefer to watch the video on how to make the Angel Tree Topper, here it is!

How to Make an Angel Tree Topper Directions

Step 1

Cut open a paper shopping bag, so it lays flat. Then, fold a portion of it over and cut a semi-circle, so when you unfold it you have a full circle. This is to create the body for the angel tree topper.

Cut folded paper bag into a semi circle

Step 2

Cut the circle in half.

Cut the circle in half for the angel tree topper base

Step 3

Paint both sides of the semi-circle white and allow to dry.

Paint both sides of the paper bag semi circle white as this will be the angel tree topper body

Step 4

An Angel tree topper needs wings!

Cut two angel wings from some of the remaining paper bag scraps and paint them with gold acrylic paint – front and back. Allow it to dry.  

Cut wings out of paper bag for the angel tree topper

Tip:  When you do the wings, leave a little tab so it’s easier to glue on. See the video if you want to see the tabs I left on the wings.

Step 5

Roll the semi-circle into a cone and hot glue together. Allow it to cool.

 Roll semi circle into a cone

Step 6

Snip off the pointy part of the cone, so the head has a place to rest. Take the wood ball and hot glue it to the top of the cone, for the head. Allow it to cool.

Glue wood ball onto the top of cone for the angel head

Step 7

Fold the tab back on the wings and glue the wings onto the cone.

Fold tab back on angel wings

Step 8

Cut two “L” shaped pieces from the leftover scraps, for the arms. Paint both sides white. Allow it to dry.

Cut to L shaped pieces for the angel arms

Step 9

Glue on arms and then glue hands together to make her look like she is praying.

Glue on arms to make angel look like the angel tree topper is praying

Step 10

Draw eyes and mouth on the face of the angel tree topper, with the permanent marker.

Draw face onto angel with a permanent marker

Step 11

Decide how long you want the hair. Then, cut it and glue it into place.

Glue hair onto angel's head

Step 12

To make the halo, you need wire. Twist the wire around something circular, to make the round shape.  Twist the end together and leave a tail. Bend into an “L” shape. Run a thin bead of hot glue around the top of the halo and sprinkle with gold glitter.  Hot glue halo to the back of the head – trying to hide the end in the hair or a piece of hair on top of the glue.

 Glue wire halo into angel tree topper hair

Step 13

Add the finishing touches. Tie a ribbon around the waist. Glue some ribbon or trim around the neck – I did that to hide the hot glue. Paint the hands a flesh color!

Angel Christmas tree topper

TIP:  If you want to make her more sparkly or if you need to cover up any hot glue, use glitter and make it look like it was on purpose!

She was designed to be a tree topper…

angel tree topper for Christmas
Angel Christmas tree topper

…but I usually use her as Christmas decorations with the Whimsical Feather Boa Christmas Tree and another angel bell that was given to me years ago by my aunt who has long since passed.

Angel Christmas decoration
Angel made out of recycled materials
Angel and aqua christmas tree christmas decorations

I hope you like it and thank you Alyssa for challenging me!

If You Want Some Other Fun Angel & Christmas Crafts…

If You Love Angel Tree Toppers…

If you love angel Christmas tree toppers but don’t necessarily want to make one, here are some fun and beautiful alternatives!

Be sure to PIN IT for later!

Angel tree topper with praying hands

Remember: Life’s too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!™ Stay safe!

Merry Christmas!

Mona

4 thoughts on “How to Make An Angel Tree Topper Out of Recycled Materials”

    • Hi Kim – It just stands up on its own. If you put it on a flat surface, it should stand fine. If it’s crooked, just trim the bottom of her skirt to make it stand straight. On top of the Christmas tree, if it’s artificial, you just need to bend the top tip and slip it right over it.

      Reply

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