Skip to Content

Create Sparkling Sea Glass Christmas Trees in Simple Steps

Want to add a touch of coastal-inspired beauty to your holiday decor? These sparkling sea glass Christmas Trees are easy to make in just a few simple steps. This tutorial will teach you how to make a standing sea glass Christmas tree and a unique sea glass Christmas tree ornament. Even if you don’t have a coastal home, you can create the illusion of a shimmering ocean view as you decorate with these shades of blue and green ornaments.

While at our beach cottage for Thanksgiving, I decided to decorate with a few Christmas touches. One project I had been planning was to make a Sea Glass Christmas Tree, and now was the perfect time.

On our last visit, I made an oyster shell decoupage garland and needed a few more touches to complete the tiny cottage Christmas decorations.

cropped-Decoupage-Oyster-Shell-Christmas-Ornaments-close-up-of-shells-on-driftwood.jpg

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)

What Is Sea Glass

If you are fortunate, Sea Glass can be found while looking for shells along the coastline. It is broken bottles and other discarded glass that have been worn smooth by tumbling around in the ocean for decades. The sand and saltwater leave the glass smooth without any sharp edges. Many refer to sea glass as a reverse gemstone. The colors are soft and frosted, with shades of blue, green, and white being the most common.

Because of its popularity for coastal decorating, you can purchase manufactured Sea Glass cheaply. Today’s project uses faux sea glass, as I’ve not been lucky enough to find but a few pieces of the real thing. However, I’m always looking.

How To Make A Sea Glass Christmas Tree

Making a sea glass Christmas tree is easy if you like puzzles.

First, you want to gather your supplies.

Supplies

Caution: When working with hot glue, I recommend using finger protectors. These small pieces are difficult to attach without burning your fingers.

Supplies for DIY Christmas Craft with sea glass.

Assemble the Christmas Tree

First, I had green styrofoam cones and, at the last minute, decided I wanted a white background. The sea glass is translucent; you can see some color through it.

I decided to wrap the styrofoam with a white paper towel. Because I wasn’t home, I had no craft paper, and the paper towel worked great. Add hot glue to the cone and tightly wrap the paper towel around.

Begin at the bottom of the cone and attach larger pieces of sea glass, reducing the size as you move up the cone. Look for pieces that will fit together as snuggly as possible to cover the cone completely. Think of the process as working together puzzle pieces.

Add sea glass to cone with hot glue gun for DIY craft.

If you have any gaps, add a small drop of hot glue and attach small chips to complete your Sea Glass Christmas Tree.

Add sea glass to cone with hot glue gun for DIY craft.

Star Tree Topper

Finally, if you’d like to add a tree topper, you can add a craft star or any items you desire, such as a starfish or other seashell.

I had these tiny metal stars and used two of them for the Sea Glass Christmas Tree Topper. Add a drop of glue to the inside of the stars and place a toothpick in between. Hold them together until the glue dries.

Use the toothpick to slide into the top of the cone.

Elevate your cone on a shelf, table, or pillar candle holder.

Sea glass DIY Christmas Decorations

How To Make A Christmas Tree Ornament

I also had several smaller pieces of sea glass left over and decided to make a Christmas Tree ornament.

I cut a piece of medium-weight cardboard shaped like a tree or triangle for this project.

Once again, begin at the bottom of the triangle and add the sea glass with hot glue.

Once the triangle is covered on the front side, you can add a hanger or star. The sea glass ornament would look best if both sides were covered.

Tree shaped sea glass attached with hot glue

First, add the star to the top of the ornament if you plan to use one. Then, repeat the process by applying the sea glass to the ornament from the bottom up.

Add metal star to back of cardboard tree shape and attach sea glass to it with hot glue.

The sea glass ornament can be made in various shapes, such as boats, stars, etc.

Sea Glass Ornament Christmas Tree Tutorial for coastal inspired Christmas Decorations.

Finally, add a hanger and the Sparkling Sea Glass Christmas Tree Ornament to your tree.

Sea Glass Ornament Christmas Tree Tutorial for coastal inspired Christmas Decorations on Christmas Tree

Sea Glass Christmas Tree and Ornament

This quick and easy DIY Sea Glass Christmas Tree and Ornament project only took a few minutes to complete.

Insider Tip

Be aware that the sea glass is heavy; the larger you make your Christmas Tree or Sea Glass Ornament, the heavier it will be.

If you plan to put your tree on a pedestal, you will need something strong enough to support the weight of the sea glass.

Sea glass Christmas Tree Tutorial for coastal inspired Christmas Decorations. with DIY oyster shell Charm

I hope you enjoyed today’s Sparkling Coastal Christmas Decoration ideas. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

Sea Glass Ornament Tutorial for coastal inspired Christmas Decorations. for package topper or tree ornament.

Coastal DIY Projects

Here are a few other coastal DIY projects that you may enjoy.

Resources

Click the image below for my favorite Christmas Craft supplies.

Pin It To Remember It

Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.

Sea Glass Ornament and Sea glass Christmas Tree Tutorial for coastal inspired Christmas Decorations.

Cheryl Atkinson

Monday 2nd of December 2024

Hi Rachel! I live in a coastal city and i love sea glass. I havent been lucky enough to find many pieces so Im so glad you can buy them. I love these trees and again, thank you for all the inspiration you share.

Rachel

Tuesday 3rd of December 2024

Cheryl, Yes, I have a friend with a huge bowl that her mother found years ago but I've never been that lucky. Good luck with your trees. Thank you for stopping by.

CoCo

Friday 15th of December 2023

You make the best ornaments, Rachel! These would be such a fun gift for people who love the beach, have a new beach house, or just want to remember their vacation memories too. I love it! Hugs, CoCo

Rachel

Friday 15th of December 2023

CoCo, I'm so glad you like them. Thanks for stopping by.

Darlene

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

Love sea glass and your tree is inspirational. I definitely want to try it. It is so pretty.

Rachel

Friday 15th of December 2023

Darlene, Thank you and let me know how your project goes.

Jennifer Howard

Thursday 7th of December 2023

I love this project!! Perfectly coastal.

Rachel

Friday 8th of December 2023

Jennifer, Thanks friend.

Renae

Wednesday 6th of December 2023

So pretty, my friend. Such a clever idea. HUgs to you.

Rachel

Wednesday 6th of December 2023

Renae, Thanks you