Mini-evergreen trees in candy-land colors are just so cute, cheery and festive. They can be used for place cards, cupcake toppers, or general holiday decorations on a windowsill or a mantel. Here is an inexpensive (and fast!) version inspired by those beautiful bottlebrush trees.

Materials needed: Assorted pom poms, toothpicks, scissors, wine corks, colored paper, knife, alphabet stamps, ink pad

Step 1: Begin by stacking ascending size pom poms onto a toothpick, with the smallest pom pom being on the top. Push the toothpick through the center of the pom pom. Squeeze pom poms close to each other.
Step 2: Trim the pom poms into the shape of a tree, holding the scissors on an angle, and turning the toothpick as you cut.
Step 3: Cut a wine cork into thirds, and insert the stump end of the toothpick into a cut piece of cork.
Step 4: For place cards: Cut a strip of paper and trim the edges into a banner shape.
Step 5: Stamp names onto the paper strips. (You could also write in with marker or pen).
Step 6: Attach the name to the cork with a dab of hot glue.

PS: You could even attach a string and make ornaments out of these. What a sweet little gift that would be!

Photography by Tim Gibson