DIY Wine Cork Christmas Tree Decor

A Christmas tree made out of painted wine corks.
  • 1-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-75
What You'll Need
Wine corks (25)
Red and green acrylic paint
Hot glue gun
Pendant, small ornament, or paper embellishment
Foam brush
What You'll Need
Wine corks (25)
Red and green acrylic paint
Hot glue gun
Pendant, small ornament, or paper embellishment
Foam brush

If you celebrate Christmas, setting the table for a festive dinner is one of the most exciting things to do. The colors and designs of the table decor are key to creating that familiar and cozy atmosphere. It's the best way to welcome your guests and loved ones into your home, after all. This year, try sprucing up your table with a simple DIY centerpiece made with wine corks. This handmade Christmas tree decor is lightweight and easy on the wallet. It's especially ideal for smaller tables that don't have a lot of space. Apartments and dorm rooms can also use this charming project to liven up a coffee table or vanity. And since this project recycles wine corks, you can do your part in saving trash from ending up in the the landfills. You don't need fancy DIY skills, either. This one can be made with minimal skills and time. Ready to make your own? Here's how.

Step 1 - Gather the Supplies

Supplies for the project including corks and paint.

To make your Christmas tree decor with wine corks, round up the necessary materials. If you're not much of a wine drinker and can't collect 25 corks over time, ask friends or family members to save theirs. You can also find unmarked corks at the craft store. Many sellers on eBay and Etsy sell old wine corks for crafting, too. As for the pendant? This will act as the "tree topper" for the centerpiece. Make sure this is a lightweight item that will not cause the tree to topple over. Consider recycling old necklace pendants, vintage brooches, or old ornaments. You can even use a paper embellishment or a photograph. For this particular tree, an upside down pendant was used for a sparkling touch.

Step 2 - Glue the Corks Together

Step 2.

To get stared, glue four corks together. Essentially, the corks should be positioned in two rows of two. A few lines of hot glue along the side of each cork should do the trick. For extra security, firmly press the corks together. These four corks will make up the "trunk" of the Christmas tree centerpiece. Do not paint these corks.

Step 3 - Paint the Corks Red

Step 3.

Grab another six or seven wine corks. Paint one flat side of each cork red. Don't forget to protect your work surface with a sheet of scrap paper or an old magazine. Additionally, a little goes a long way with acrylic paint, so you won't need much. Leave the corks upright to dry completely. They should be dry to the touch within a few minutes. These will be the "ornaments" in your tree.

Step 4 - Paint the Remaining Corks Green

Step 4.

Apply green paint to one flat side of the remaining corks. Again, don't pack on the paint. A light layer of pant is all you need. Let the corks dry completely. These green corks will make up the actual tree.

Step 5 - Glue Together

Step 5.

Now it's time to bring your tree to life. Start by gluing six red and green corks together, side by side. Use mostly green corks with one or two reds. Remember, you'll be evenly dispersing the red corks throughout the entire tree. Glue another five corks together. Continue creating additional rows of four, three, two, and one. To bring everything together, stack the rows on top of each other from greatest to smallest. You'll end up with a triangle. Take the tree "trunk" and adhere to the bottom of this triangle. Add extra hot glue when necessary.

Step 6 - Add the Pendant

Step 6.

Finish off your tree by gluing a "topper" component. Again, this can be anything from a pendant to a lightweight ornament. A paper decoration can also work just as well. You can even skip this step if you'd like something more simple. Once you've added this piece, your new centerpiece is ready to brighten up your dinner table!