Christmas Tree Drawing: Easy Guide for Kids & Beginners

A handmade holiday card gains quiet satisfaction when the Christmas tree on it actually looks like a tree. Most people assume drawing one requires talent they don’t have, but the truth is simpler than you’d expect: nearly every tutorial online starts with the same basic shapes, building up layer by layer until the result looks impressively festive. Whether you’re sketching with a six-year-old or want a realistic version for a greeting card, the method is the same.

Stock images on Getty: 8,202 · Stock images on Shutterstock: 393,607 · Popular YouTube views: 1.1M · YouTube playlists for kids: Multiple tutorials · Trend articles for 2025: Minis, wow trees

How to make a Christmas tree easy drawing?

The easiest approach starts with a triangle, then breaks it into three to four curved layers before adding a star at the top. This super easy method requires no artistic skill and works for anyone from age six upward.

Step-by-step basic outline

Most tutorials from Art Projects for Kids (a detailed step-by-step text guide) begin with a center star at the top, followed by two to five tree sections layered from top to bottom. A common first step is drawing a basic triangular shape or layered sections for the tree body.

“This tree couldn’t be easier! Just take a fine tip green marker and draw a series of horizontal lines.”

— Amy Latta, artist blogger at Amy Latta Creations

Adding simple ornaments

Garland is drawn with simple curved lines wrapping around the tree, and hanging ornaments are added as circles on the garland. Some tutorials recommend using a ruler to keep lines tidy, but Amy Latta Creations (an artist blogger with six distinct methods) notes that overlapping imperfect lines actually mimic real trees for an easy, forgiving style.

Finishing with star and trunk

The trunk is drawn after the outline, often as a simple brown rectangle. A common variation includes adding a snow line to hide the trunk for simplicity. Coloring recommendations include using lighter green inside outlines to highlight scalloped details.

Christmas tree drawing for kids

Tutorials suitable for kids aged 6 to 10 emphasize very easy steps, making this an ideal holiday activity for classrooms or rainy afternoons at home. The YouTube channel dedicated to kids drawing confirms these tutorials work best when children can pause and repeat each step at their own pace.

Simple shapes for young artists

• Basic triangle as the tree foundation
• Horizontal lines starting short and lengthening downward for tree layers
• Circles for ornaments — no shading required
• Stick eyes and details to personify the tree in simple drawings

Fun variations with colors

“Hey art friends! Today I’m drawing with Hadley, and we’re learning how to draw Christmas Hello Kitty.”

— Art for Kids Hub host, Art for Kids Hub YouTube channel

Kawaii-style trees include big eyes, a smiling mouth, and hearts for cuteness. Materials needed are straightforward: drawing paper, a black marker, crayons, an eraser, and optionally a ruler. The Art for Kids Hub (a high-engagement kid-focused site with supplies lists) recommends markers and marker paper for clean results that children can be proud of.

Ideas for ages 8-12

“Christmas Directed Drawings are an easy way to add art and fun into these crazy days before the holiday break!”

— First Grade Blue Skies educator blog

Directed drawings from First Grade Blue Skies (an educator-focused resource with a directed drawings pack of 5 items) include Christmas trees alongside reindeer, Santa, and ornaments for classroom use. These structured lessons guide students step by step, making art accessible even for children who claim they “can’t draw.”

What can I draw for Christmas easily?

Beyond the tree itself, there are dozens of holiday-themed drawings that follow the same simple techniques. A Christmas tree with gifts creates a complete festive scene, while ornament-focused designs let beginners practice circles before tackling full trees.

Tree with gifts

Add presents with bows under the tree for a complete scene. Background elements like a horizon line, small trees, mountains, and candy enhance the overall composition. This approach pairs well with the YouTube tutorial on funny cartoon Christmas trees (a cartoon style with presents guide) that demonstrates how to sketch gift boxes in three simple shapes.

Ornament-focused designs

Tutorials often pair tree drawing with other Christmas themes like gingerbread houses or snowmen, making it easy to fill a card with multiple elements. The 3 Epic Christmas Drawing Tutorials video keeps bored kids entertained for hours with fun and easy challenges.

Kid-focused playlists continue expanding across platforms, with dedicated channels creating step-by-step lessons that pause between strokes for young artists to follow along. These structured resources make holiday art accessible even for children who claim they cannot draw.

Trend-inspired minis

For 2025, trend articles highlight minis and wow trees — smaller, more stylized versions that work well on gift tags or social media posts. The 2025 trend focuses on non-tacky decor that feels fresh rather than overdone, which translates to simpler shapes and cleaner lines in drawings.

Christmas tree drawing ideas

Stock photo platforms like Getty Images (with 8,202 Christmas tree drawings) and Shutterstock (with 393,607 stock photos) offer inspiration for more ambitious projects. Browse these galleries to see styles ranging from minimalist line drawings to elaborate fully-shaded versions.

Realistic style techniques

A realistic tree breaks into three sections with curves for realistic layering. Shading techniques add depth through layered shadows and highlights. The trade-off is time: a realistic version takes significantly longer than a beginner-friendly outline, but the visual impact justifies the effort for card designs or framed artwork.

Beautiful detailed versions

Simple trees built from 3-5 layers work well for beginners, but adding details like garland, individual ornaments, and a star topper transforms a basic drawing into something impressive. Final touches include glitter or patterns for customization.

2025 trend integrations

The current trend leans toward wow trees — statement pieces with bold shapes and unexpected colors. Incorporate these trends by experimenting with non-traditional tree colors or adding whimsical elements like tiny presents, snowflakes, or personalized ornaments.

Christmas tree drawing realistic

Achieving a realistic Christmas tree drawing requires patience and attention to proportion. Tutorials recommend using a pencil first for the basic triangle shape, then tracing over with a darker outline before coloring.

Layering branches

The key to realism is layering. Instead of a solid triangle, draw multiple overlapping branch sections that extend slightly beyond each other. This creates the organic, irregular silhouette of a real pine tree.

Shading for depth

Shading adds dimension by varying pressure on pencils or layering colors from dark to light. The The Art Teacher (a lesson plans and grid resource) offers grid drawing options for detailed practice in Christmas themes, helping artists break complex shapes into manageable sections.

Advanced ornament details

Realistic ornament drawings add highlights and reflections to simulate glass or shiny surfaces. Video timestamps from the Kawaii Tree video structure lessons with coloring starting at the 06:00 mark, showing that professional-looking results come from patient, layered work.

The implication: investing an extra 30 minutes in shading and layering elevates a simple outline into a piece worthy of framing or gifting.

Materials checklist

Eight tools appear consistently across tutorials, from budget options to premium picks.

Step-by-step guide: Build your tree in 5 steps

Five steps from Art Projects for Kids (the most detailed step-by-step text guide) take you from blank paper to finished drawing.

Related reading: How to Draw a Christmas Tree · 6 Easy Ways to Draw a Christmas Tree

Beginner FAQ