Christmas Decoration: Bell Tree from Toilet Paper Rolls

This guide details how to create a festive bell tree using common household materials, perfect for Christmas decoration. The resulting ornament produces a pleasant chiming sound when gently moved.

Materials

• 25 empty toilet paper rolls (cardboard tubes)
• Acrylic paints (or other paints)
• Cotton wool
• Hot glue
• Thin, tear-resistant string
• 63 mini bells (or 21 larger bells)
• 1 piece of cardboard (approx. 20 x 25 cm)
• 1 piece of aluminum foil (at least twice the size of the cardboard, preferably slightly larger)

Tools

• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• 1 thin knitting needle

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tree Trunk: Paint four toilet paper rolls brown (or your desired trunk color). These will form the base of the tree.
2. Shape the Trunk Rolls: Once the brown rolls are dry, cut slits halfway up one side of each roll, approximately 4 cm high. This is done only on one side to allow the rolls to be joined together later, forming the trunk base.
3. Paint the Tree Branches: Paint the remaining 21 toilet paper rolls green. For a more complete look, it is recommended to paint the inside of these rolls as well.
4. Create the Base: Cover the square cardboard piece with aluminum foil, ensuring the seam is at the bottom. Secure with a drop of hot glue to prevent unraveling.
5. Assemble the Trunk: Center the four brown rolls onto the foil-covered cardboard base using hot glue. The cut strips should face outwards, resembling roots. A drop of hot glue can be used to secure these strips and prevent them from bending upwards.
6. Build the Tree Structure: Glue the green rolls together to form layers of the tree. Start by gluing six green rolls side-by-side. The next layer should consist of five rolls, placed offset between the rolls of the layer below. Continue adding layers, decreasing the number of rolls by one in each subsequent layer (4, 3, 2, 1), until a single roll forms the top of the tree.
7. Prepare for Bells: Using the knitting needle, create a small hole approximately 5 mm from the top edge of each green roll.
8. Attach the Bells: For mini bells, tie three together with the string and thread them through the hole in each roll. Ensure the string is not too tight, allowing the bells to move freely and chime. If using larger bells, one bell per roll is sufficient.
9. Mount the Bell Tree: Center the completed bell tree structure onto the brown trunk base using hot glue.
10. Add Finishing Touches: Glue cotton wool to the sides of the tree for a snow-like effect. Optionally, a star can be added to the very top.