How to Make a Pipe-Cleaner Christmas Tree

Twist the pipe cleaners into snowflakes:

Use a wire cutter or old scissors cut the pieces for the snowflakes. Make two 1-inch-long pieces and three each of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-inch-long pieces.

Separate the pipe cleaners by size, and twist each group of three—the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-inch-long sets—together at their midpoint to create six-pointed stars. Twist two 1-inch-long sticks into a plus sign shape.

Add branches to the largest star:

Starting at center of each spoke, twist on two 2 1/2-inch sticks; tighten by clamping down on twist point with round-nose pliers. Follow with a 2-inch stick, then a 1 1/2-inch stick. Keep spacing even.

Make the smaller snowflakes and the tree trunk:

Finish other snowflakes as shown:

For 5-inch snowflake: Use six 2 1/2-inch sticks, six 2-inch sticks, and six 1 1/2-inch sticks.

For 4-inch snowflake: Use six 2-inch sticks and six 1 1/2-inch sticks.

For 3-inch snowflake: Use six 1 1/2-inch sticks.

For 2-inch snowflake: Use six 1-inch sticks.

Make the trunk: Twist three 12-inch stems of same green chenille around an equal length of 16-gauge floral wire, working from bottom up for about 3 inches. (A wooden spool makes a good tree stand.)

Build the tree:

Slip biggest snowflake onto "tree trunk"; the three sticks fit between spokes of snowflakes. Twist the three trunk sticks tightly for another inch before sliding on next snowflake. Continue in this way to top, leaving a 1-inch trunk above. Trim excess wire.

Use other pipe cleaners in red and white to make small candles, candy canes, and other miniature ornaments.