In the world of tea, tea bags often get a bad rap. Flavor wise, some teas are worthy of that bad reputation, but in today’s market there are actually many tea bag based brands that do a good job of bringing on the flavor. Even better, tea bags are convenient–no mess, no fuss…almost effortless to use!

A few years ago I remember watching Dylan Lauren from Dylan’s Candy Bar (you know, Ralph Lauren’s daughter) make Candy Topiaries on the Martha Stewart Show. Mesmerized, I made several of these festive topiaries for friends and family and they were an instant hit. My only gripe? They required way too many mini candy bars, making the trees weighty and apt to toppling over.

Today’s Christmas Tea Tree craft is the tea version of those topiaries, except that they are lighter, prettier, and best of all…healthier! This project requires just a few items, the first of which are individually wrapped tea bags. That being said, the more attractive the wrapping is on the tea bags, the better. And to continue the tree theme I always like to add at least a few green tea bags into the mix.

My best suggestion is to look up the brand of tea bags you plan on buying before you get to the store. Some tea bags aren’t individually wrapped, so you just want to make sure. My favorite brands to use for modern looking trees are Pukka or Tazo tea bags, but for a more traditional look go for Twinings or TWG.

Customize this Christmas Tea Tree for any occasion by switching up the color palettes and tea flavors. A wrap of cellophane and a large bow, and you have unique gift that will be the centerpiece of holiday tea drinking!

Christmas Tea Trees 

What You’ll Need:

styrofoam cones

individually wrapped tea bags, the number depends on how big the cone is

glue gun with glue sticks

small paper mache boxes or some kind of short, round cylinder to use as the “stump”

wooden stars or other star trinkets for embellishment

rice, for weighing down boxes (optional)

Step-By-Step:

1.)  Adhere tea bags starting at the base of the cone. Place a thin line of hot glue along the upper edge of the back of a tea bag, then attach it to the cone. Hold the tea bag in place until the glue sets.

2.)  When you glue the next tea bag, slightly overlap it over the one that was just glued so that you cover up the styrofoam cone underneath. How much you overlap the tea bags depends on the size of your tea bags. Finish the entire base before moving upwards, then repeat the gluing process until you reach the top.

3.)  Attach the top of the paper mache box to the base of the cone using hot glue. 
For more stability, add some rice in the bottom half of the box to serve as a weight, then use glue to seal the top piece of the paper mache box to the bottom piece to create one unified “stump.”4.)  Attach a wooden star trinket to top of the cone, again using hot glue. When it’s tea time, carefully rip the tea bags off the tea tree and enjoy!Decorative blue and white sugar stars courtesy of Chambre de Sucre.