Learn how to make a wooden tree Christmas countdown with blocks. This DIY wooden tree is beautiful enough to be displayed on its own especially with it’s gold leaf sides.
You know my love of Christmas countdowns. I like to make a new one each year to add to DIY Christmas Countdown Collection.
I was in a little bit of a time crunch this year, but I managed to make a Christmas Countdown! Yay!
Not only is it pretty, it’s super easy to make.
I like that it can be used together or both pieces can be used separately.
The first part is a pretty wooden Christmas tree with gold leaf sides. The second part are the Christmas countdown blocks that can easily be placed in front of your favorite tabletop Christmas decoration.
Ready to see how they are made?
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How to make a Wooden Christmas Tree Countdown
Supplies:
- Thick wood
- 2x Wood blocks
- Wooden numbers:
- 2x of each of these: 1, 2, 3
- 1x of each of these 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 0
- Sandpaper
- Gold leaf gilding
- Gilding glue
- Gilding varnish
- Water based varnish
- Metallic gold paint
- Hot glue
Tools:
- Bandsaw or jigsaw
- Orbital sander
- Paint brush for gilding
- Paint brush for paint
- Foam brush for sealer
How to make a wooden tree
Instructions:
Step 1: Draw a tree on the thick piece of wood.
(I was planning on gluing two boards together to make one thick board, however my father had beautiful thick 2″ maple boards that he offered me. Lucky me!)
I like to make my templates using wrapping paper. Then I cut it out and transfer it onto my project just like I did for the 3D Wood Snowman and for my gallery wall.
My tree is 11″ wide by 15″ high.
Step 2: Cut out the tree using a bandsaw or jigsaw. Make sure you use a good blade made for the type of wood you are using.
Note: We had to flip over the tree in order to cut it out completely since it was too wide at the bottom for the band saw. We drew the tree on the back side.
Step 3: Use an orbital sander to make it nice and smooth. Remove the dust from the wooden tree.
How to apply gold leaf gilding
Instructions:
Step 1: Following the instructions from the gold leaf gilding kit, apply adhesive in the areas you would like to have gold leaf on.
I applied it on certain areas of the contour of the tree.
Allow to dry for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Apply the gold leaf sheets over the areas you applied the adhesive.
I folded the sheets to also apply some gold leaf sheets under the edges of the tree branches.
Step 3: Remove the extra gold leaf that hasn’t adhere to the surface by gently rubbing it off. You can use a paint brush, fingers, or a foam brush (like I used).
Please note that the gold leaf is clingy, you can use gloves if you wish. Or I have heard putting baby powder on your fingers will help prevent it from sticking to your fingers.
Allow to dry 24 hours.
Step 4: Remove all loose gold using a soft cloth and/or a vacuum without touching the surface, it could scratch it.
Step 5: Apply gilding sealer over the contour of the wooden tree.
Allow to dry for about an hour and apply a second coat if you wish.
Step 6: Apply a water based varnish over the front and back of the wooden tree.
Allow to dry between 1 to 2 hours. Lightly sand with a 180 grit sandpaper and apply a second coat.
You can apply as many coats as you wish until you reach the desired finish.
Now that the tree is complete, it’s time to work on the wooden blocks.
How to make Christmas countdown blocks
I was lucky enough to find premade wooden blocks. They came in a pack of 6 blocks. They measure 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″. They were in fact a decoration with letters on them, we simply sanded off the letters.
To make wooden blocks, you can purchase a piece of 2″x2″ and cut it to make cubes.
Instructions:
Step 1: Apply a water based sealer on the blocks and allow them to dry.
Allow to dry between 1 to 2 hours. Lightly sand with a 180 grit sandpaper and apply a second coat.
Step 2: Paint the wooden numbers in metallic gold.
I used the leftover numbers that I had from my fabric Advent calendar.
If you can not find wooden numbers, you can also paint numbers on the blocks. Just make sure to do so before applying the sealer.
You can also cut out numbers with a vinyl cutting machine, if you have one.
You’ll need these numbers to make a block countdown: 2x of each of these: 1, 2, 3 1x of each of these 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 0. The 6 will also be used as a 9 when turned upside down.
Step 3: Glue the numbers onto the blocks using hot glue.
Block #1 these numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Block #2 these numbers: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 0
DIY Wooden Tree Christmas Countdown
I absolutely love how the wooden tree Christmas countdown turned out!
I’m planning on add lights around it once it’s cured enough. I’ll fasten the lights with a touch of clear glue just like the method used for this light up wall art.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial!
A big thank you to my Dad for the wood and cutting out the tree for me while I took the photos. hehe
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!