A Christmas tree craft project

For all the amateur carpenters amongst us, here is a relatively simple project for Christmas that will impress your family and friends.

So, find some 5/8th inch (16mm) softwood board, dig out your power jig saw, power drill and workmate and get busy, after all we are a craft company. These Christmas tree decorations are attractive on any table or shelf.

1. Mark out equilateral triangles on your softwood board, 200mm high, 145mm wide at the base. Numerous trees look great displayed together.

2. It’s best to cut out the holes before cutting out the trees as it reduces the risk of splitting. Acquire 64mm diameter and 44mm diameter tank cutters. Cut one hole of each size as per the diagram appended below, or with a confident steady hand you could jig saw the circles instead.

3. Sand down the pieces including the corners and larger cut disk, use the latter as a screw-on stand. Drill a countersink pilot hole for the screw.

4. Add two open ended small screw hooks to the top of each hole ready to accept baubles. The larger 40mm diameter baubles are available from M&S and elsewhere. The smaller 30mm diameter balls are harder to find; wooden balls are available from craft shops. I used glass crystals from a redundant light fitting.

5. Lastly, we all have left-over cans of colour emulsion stashed away, paint your creations in various colours to make a ‘forest’ display. You can also leave as bare wood or varnish.

Et voila! Trust me, there will be praising comment at your skill, and envious desire, and you may well be taking orders. Merry Christmas.