DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags: Using Toilet Paper Rolls

Since 2020 has been the the year of the “toilet paper” shortage follies, I thought it would be the perfect time to make a little “keepsake reminder” of this memorable event! So what’s a girl to do? Well – create some fun and simple DIY Christmas tree gift tags using empty toilet paper (TP) rolls. Plus it’s an easy craft you can do with your kids, and it’s a great way to personalize presents for your family and friends this year. So, save up some of those used toilet paper or paper towel rolls and let’s get crafting! DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags: Using Toilet Paper Rolls.

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DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags: Using Toilet Paper Rolls

Supplies:

*8 Used/Empty Toilet Paper Rolls – makes 16 gift tags
4 Tree Cookie Cutters – similar here (or ~3″H Christmas tree templates)
Pencil
Scissors
2 Birch Scrapbook paper sheets (I got mine from Hobby Lobby)
Glue Stick
Whole Punch
Ribbon or Jute String

*You can use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls also.

Here are the cookie cutters that I used, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

The sizes of mine are: (3″ x 3″), (3″ x 2.5″), (3″ x 2.5″), (3″ x 1.2″)

And below is a picture to show you the birch bark scrapbook paper (just so you can see what it look like), and the toilet paper rolls.

DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags: Using Toilet Paper Rolls

Easy 5 Steps:

Cut Toilet Paper Rolls & Trace Trees
Cut Out Trees & Mark Master Copy
Trace Trees Onto Birch Paper & Cut Out
Glue Birch Paper Onto Trees
Whole Punch & Add Ribbons

Ok, let’s get the DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags: Using Toilet Paper Rolls!

DIY Birch Tree Gift Tags

Step #1: Cut Toilet Paper Rolls & Trace Trees

The first thing you will do is cut your toilet paper roll vertically – or long-ways.

You might need to clean or pick off some of the leftover toilet paper that clings on to the empty roll.
Then you can use that line where the paper attached to the cardboard as your reference line for cutting.

After you have cut your TP roll, it’s time to trace out your cookie cutters or tree template with a pencil.

Most of the TP rolls have a diagonal line that runs down the length of it (picture below), so I just used this to divide up my two traced trees.

You should be able to get 2 trees per TP roll if using 3″H templates.

You should be able to get 5 trees per Paper Towel roll if using 3″H templates.

Step #2: Cut Out Trees & Mark Master Copy

Now you will simply cut out your trees with scissors.

Go ahead and mark a “M” on these first four (or whatever quantity) you’re using, so that they are labeled your Master Copy.

TIP: Make sure that you turn them over onto the BACK SIDE to mark like picture below. The two trees on the left are on the back side.

Now you will trace the quantity that you want to make – but with the Master side/Back side FACING UP.

I’ll explain the reasons why in Steps 4 & 5.

Then you will cut out all of your trees – this will take a little time (just a FYI)!

Here are my 12 trees pictured below – with the good side facing up.

Step #3: Trace Trees On Birch Paper & Cut Out

Turn your trees over so that the back side is FACING UP, and trace the trees onto your birch bark scrapbook paper.

TIP: You might not want to trace into that “darker wood” section on the paper (below), because it could be harder to make a gift tag out of that portion.

I flipped some of my trees upside down to get as much out of each piece of paper as I could.

*** Sorry – I forgot to show these with the back side facing up!! ***

Then you will cut out all of your birch trees.

Here is what they will look like.

If you have some lines around your trees on the birch paper, just erase them. Just don’t rub too hard or it will wrinkle the paper 😉

Step #4: Glue Birch Paper Onto Trees

Now you will put glue onto the BACK side of the tree template and attach birch paper on top.

Remember how I said we were using the BACK SIDE, well there are two reasons why:

Your template might not be symmetrical, so it will like the picture below. Ugh!!
You’re going to want to use the CLEAN side for your gift tag portion (see step #5).

If you forget don’t worry, you can just trim it up with scissors.

Since I learned the hard way (LOL)I kept some of the cardboard portion to act as a smaller, outer trim.

Repeat for all of the tree gift tags that you want to do.

Step #5: Whole Punch & Add Ribbons

Next you will whole punch at the top of the trees like the picture below or whole punch in the middle – see second picture below.

The 2nd reason to use the back side:

By covering the back side with the paper, you now have a CLEAN SIDE to use as the gift tag portion – top right tree – if you don’t want to write on the birch side.