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What is a Book Tree
Christmas Book Tree
Where To Find Old Books
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
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Looking for unique Christmas tree ideas? Try a Christmas book tree! Learn how to build and decorate it with books stacked in a pyramid shape.

What is a Book Tree

A Christmas book tree is a creative and festive way to celebrate the holiday season by using books to create a tree-like structure. Instead of using traditional Christmas tree decorations, the tree is made entirely out of books. The books are stacked in a pyramid shape, similar to the branches of a tree, with the spines facing outwards to create the appearance of a tree trunk and branches. The book tree can be decorated with lights, ornaments, and other festive decorations to add a touch of holiday cheer. It’s a unique and literary-inspired way to bring the holiday spirit into your home.

Christmas Book Tree

To create a book tree, follow these steps:

Gather Books: Collect books of different sizes and thicknesses. You can use books you already have at home or visit a thrift store to find inexpensive books.
Select a Location: Choose a suitable location for your book tree. It can be a corner of a room, a table, or even a bookshelf. Make sure you have enough space to stack the books in the shape of a tree.
Arrange the Base: Start by creating the base of the tree. Lay down a few large and thick books horizontally to form a stable foundation. Stack them in a pyramid shape, with the largest book at the bottom and gradually decreasing in size towards the top.
Stack the Books: Begin stacking the books on top of the base, gradually decreasing their size as you go up. Stack them in a pyramid shape, much like the branches of a tree. Align the spines of the books to create a neat and organized appearance.
Create Layers: As you stack the books, you can create layers to mimic the branches of a tree. Use books of different heights and thicknesses to create a visually interesting tree shape. You can also leave gaps between the books to add depth and dimension.
Decorate the Tree: Once the book tree is stacked, you can decorate it to enhance its festive appearance. You can hang small ornaments, string lights, or paper decorations from the branches. You can also place a star or a decorative item on top of the tree.
Add Finishing Touches: To complete the book tree, you can place a few decorative items at the base, such as small wrapped gifts, pinecones, or figurines. This will add a festive touch and make the tree feel more complete.

Where To Find Old Books

Don’t have the books you need to make a book tree for Christmas?

Check your local thrift stores, yard sales, and church bazaars. You can often find used books for less than a dollar. Learn more in the Decorating with Vintage Books: 20+ Ideas to Try post.

This post, How to Shop For Vintage Decor Online, may also be a great resource.

These Christmas book trees are absolutely adorable! You can design your book tree in any way you like, too.

Here is this same book tree with a star ornament on top.

To create this tabletop book tree, I used 15 books on top and 7 small vintage books on the bottom.

Looking for more Christmas decorating ideas? How to Decorate Bookshelves for a Vintage Christmas will inspire you, too.

Enjoy your unique and literary-inspired book tree as a decorative centerpiece for the holiday season or any other special occasion!

Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~

Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!