Have you ever watched colors swirl like magic right before your eyes? That’s what it feels like making Shaving Cream Christmas Trees! This festive craft is a blast for kids and adults alike—it’s messy in the best way, incredibly easy to do, and creates stunning marbled designs that look like they came straight from Santa’s workshop. All you need is shaving cream, food coloring, and a few everyday supplies. Whether you’re decorating cards, garlands, or holiday boards, this is one activity that guarantees smiles and sparkles!
Supplies You’ll Need for Marbled Christmas Trees
Man, I learned the hard way that starting a craft project without double-checking your supplies list is like baking cookies and forgetting the sugar. Been there. Trust me—this one’s messy in all the best ways, but if you’ve got everything on hand, you’ll sail right through.
The Basics (Don’t Skip These!)
You’ll want to start with white cardstock. Regular paper just doesn’t cut it—it’ll go limp and rip when it gets even a little wet. I usually pick up a pack at Dollar Tree or on sale at Hobby Lobby. You’ll need it stiff enough to handle the shaving cream swirl without turning to mush.
Next? Shaving cream. Not the gel kind. Nope. You want the foamy, old-school stuff. The cheaper, the better. I usually grab a couple of cans from the dollar store. Bonus points if it smells like “Arctic Blast” or something equally intense. It makes your whole kitchen smell like a snowstorm, ha!
Now the magic: food coloring. I go with red, green, and blue because—well, Christmas. But honestly, any color combo works. If you’ve got kids who wanna go rogue with purple and orange trees, let them! That’s what makes this one of those perfect Christmas crafts for kids—total creative freedom.
Your Tool Kit
For spreading and swirling the cream, grab a tray or shallow dish—I’ve used old baking pans, plastic lids, even one of those takeout containers. Anything with a lip will do. Then, something to scrape the shaving cream off: a ruler, spatula, or even a credit card (yep, I’ve sacrificed an old gift card or two to the craft gods).
Keep paper towels or wipes handy. Like, a whole roll. Especially if you’re letting little ones go wild. It’s fun, but it’s also shaving cream, so things can get… foamy.
Scissors are next. I recommend letting adults do the cutting unless your kids are older and you trust them. I like using a simple Christmas tree template, but if I’m feeling brave (or lazy), I’ll just wing it and cut freehand.
Optional (But Totally Worth It)
Here’s where you take it from “cute” to “Pinterest-worthy.” Grab some clear glue and glitter. I’m talking that ultra-sparkly, microfine stuff that ends up all over your house until Valentine’s Day. Trust me, the sparkle payoff is worth it. Plus, DIY holiday decorations with glitter just hit different.
And here’s a hot tip: stick-on gems from the dollar store make amazing ornaments for the trees. They look like little baubles, and kids go nuts placing them in just the right spot. That kind of detail turns this into one of those unforgettable cheap Christmas crafts that feels high-end.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Marbled Christmas Trees
Okay, let’s talk about the messy, swirly heart of this project—marbling the paper. The first time I tried this, I made the rookie mistake of over-mixing the food coloring. Don’t do that. I ended up with a big ol’ gray blob instead of a Christmas miracle. Lesson learned!
Step 1: Set the Scene
Start by spraying a layer of foam shaving cream into your tray or dish. Not too thick—just enough to cover the bottom with a soft, foamy blanket. Smooth it out with your spatula or ruler. I call this the “snow layer.” It’s like prepping your canvas, only fluffier.
If you’re doing this with kids (which you totally should—it’s one of the best art activities for kids I’ve ever tried), I suggest giving them each their own tray. Less elbow-fighting, more fun.
Step 2: Add the Holiday Magic
Here’s where the color comes in. Drop small amounts of food coloring—a few drops of red, green, maybe a little blue—right on top of the cream. Now take a toothpick or the end of a spoon and swirl gently. I mean gently. Like, imagine you’re stirring cocoa, not mixing cement.
This is where the kids really light up. It’s like a magic trick! The colors don’t blend; they dance. If you swirl too much, you’ll lose the marbled effect, so stop before it gets muddy. This is the part that makes it one of those standout DIY Christmas crafts—everyone’s result is different and beautiful.
Step 3: The Paper Press
Now grab your cardstock and press it down into the shaving cream. Press lightly, like you’re giving it a little hug. Don’t smush it, or the colors will smear underneath. Give it a quick 5-second press, then peel it off slowly.
At this point, your kid might yell, “Ewwww!” and then immediately ask to do it again. That’s when you know you’ve nailed it. Definitely one of those easy holiday projects you’ll end up repeating every year.
Step 4: Scrape and Reveal
This part is pure satisfaction. Take your scraper and gently slide off the extra shaving cream. Underneath? A stunning, swirly, festive masterpiece that looks like a peppermint dream. Let it dry on a flat surface for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
Honestly, watching that color come through feels like unwrapping a present. Every time. If you’re doing this as a group activity, this is where everyone gasps. Total win.
Cutting and Decorating Your Shaving Cream Christmas Trees
Now that you’ve got your marbled paper dried and ready, it’s time for my favorite part—turning swirls into trees. I swear, this step is where the “wow” happens. The first time I cut out one of these, I literally said, “Oh dang, that looks GOOD.” And I’m not even an artsy type.
Trim It Into Trees (Without Losing Your Mind)
You can go two ways here. First: use a Christmas tree template. There are tons online, or you can draw one yourself. I trace a simple triangle with a little base at the bottom—it doesn’t need to be fancy. Just print and trace it on the back of the marbled paper, then cut it out.
If you’re feeling brave or your kids want full control (which, let’s be honest, they usually do), let them cut freehand. The beauty of this project is that no two trees need to look the same. I’ve seen crooked trees, fat trees, even one that kinda looked like a blob—and they all still looked amazing once glittered up.
Oh—and for little ones who can’t quite manage scissors yet? Try pre-cutting the paper into rectangles or triangles before marbling. Boom. Problem solved.
Time to Decorate (aka Bring on the Glitter)
Here’s where the chaos begins—but the good kind. You’ve got your trees, and now you can bling them out however you want. I grab my trusty clear glue, a pile of craft glitter, and let the kids go wild.
Pro tip: Squeeze a little glue onto a paper plate and give your kids cotton swabs to apply it. Way less mess. (Keyword: way.)
Want to go fancier? Pull out stick-on jewels, sequins, pom-poms, or even gold string. I once glued tiny bows on mine for a little gift-wrapped tree vibe. Pinterest would’ve been proud.
This step makes it one of the ultimate Christmas craft ideas for kids. It’s tactile, it’s colorful, and it keeps their hands busy while you sip cocoa and pretend your living room isn’t covered in glitter. (It is. Accept it.)
Display or Gift?
These little trees are perfect as homemade Christmas decorations, but they also make great cards or gift tags. I had my niece glue hers onto red cardstock and send them as Christmas cards to her grandparents. Instant fridge art.
And if you’re a teacher or running a group activity? Have the kids glue their decorated trees onto a banner or bulletin board. I promise—it’ll be the sparkliest thing in the room.
Creative Ways to Display Your Marbled Tree Art
So you’ve got a stack of these gorgeous, glittery marbled trees—now what? The first time I did this craft with my nephew, we had about 20 cut-outs by the end and no clue where to put them. But honestly? That’s the best problem to have. These things are decor gold.
Christmas Cards That Actually Get Kept
Let’s start simple—DIY holiday cards. Glue your tree onto folded cardstock (bonus points for red or green paper), write a sweet note inside, and boom. Instant keepsake. I’ve mailed these out for three years now, and every time someone says, “Did you make this?” Yep. Sure did.
Kids love making them for teachers, cousins, even the mailman. And it’s way more personal than a box of store-bought cards. Plus, you can sneak in a little handwriting practice without them even realizing. Parenting win.
Garland Goals
Next up: holiday garlands. Punch a hole in the top of each tree, string ’em up with twine or ribbon, and hang across your mantel, window, or classroom wall. It turns your stack of crafts into something that screams, “Yes, I’m festive—and slightly type A.”
The best part? It works in homes, daycares, and as Christmas classroom decorations. I once helped my sister’s preschool class make a garland, and the parents were full-on obsessed with how Pinterest-y it looked. Took 20 minutes. Max.
Bulletin Board Brilliance
If you’re a teacher or homeschooling, these are amazing for preschool crafts that double as wall art. Try layering the trees on blue butcher paper for a winter forest scene. Add a little cotton ball snow, and suddenly your bulletin board is holiday-magazine worthy.
Even better? Let kids personalize their tree with a photo of themselves in the center. We did this once for a classroom door—each tree had a student’s face in it like a holiday portrait. It was adorable, and honestly, it made every kid beam with pride.
Mini Tree Forest Centerpiece
Feeling extra? Grab a few sticks from the yard, stick them in a vase or foam block, and clip the trees on with clothespins. Instant holiday centerpiece with zero money spent. This is the one I bust out for parties when I want people to think I’m crafty but didn’t spend hours trying.
You can even tuck a few trees into gifts as tags, slide them into envelopes, or tape them to your front door. There’s seriously no wrong way to show them off.
There’s something special about stepping back and seeing a whole forest of marbled Christmas trees you made with your own hands (and a ton of shaving cream). I’ve done a lot of holiday crafts for kids, but this one hits different every time. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and just messy enough to be fun without destroying your kitchen (okay—maybe a little glitter everywhere, but that’s just part of the magic).
What I love most? Every tree turns out different. Some look like candy canes, others like peppermint forests. But all of them? Total masterpieces. It’s one of those easy Christmas projects that gives kids creative freedom while secretly building fine motor skills, color mixing awareness, and patience. Shhh… don’t tell them they’re learning.
If you’re planning family Christmas activities this year, put this one high on your list. Whether you’re crafting solo, with your kids, or even as a classroom holiday project, these trees are festive fun that everyone will remember. And hey—if you end up with glitter in your carpet until Easter, just consider it leftover Christmas spirit.
Loved this idea? Save it on Pinterest and share your marbled tree creations. Let’s flood the season with sparkle, color, and handmade joy. 🎄✨
