Old Book Christmas Crafts: 12 Thrift Store Book Ideas That Look Like Pricey Boutique Decor

Old book Christmas crafts are having a big moment this year, and it is easy to see why. A worn paperback from the thrift store costs a quarter, yet with a little folding and gluing it turns into decor that looks like it came from a pricey boutique. Crafters are sharing these projects all over social media, like this folded book page tree that drew thousands of likes. Below are 12 ideas, from trees and wreaths to ornaments and gift wrap. They have a cozy vintage look, they cost almost nothing, and many make great crafts to sell. Have an old book or two you could give a second life..

Old Book Christmas Crafts: The Folded Page Tree

This is the project everyone is talking about, and it only takes one old paperback. Pick a book with at least 300 pages and remove the cover. Fold the top corner of each page down to the spine so it makes a triangle, then fold the bottom edge in to line up with the spine. Repeat on every page. As you work, the book starts to fan into a round cone shape. When you finish, stand it up and fluff the pages so it looks like a little tree. Add a small gold paper star on top. Make three in different sizes using thick and thin books for a pretty little forest. Want some sparkle? Mist the edges with spray glitter outside. It is relaxing to make while you watch a movie..

You will need: an old paperback with 300 pages or more, a craft knife to remove the cover, a gold paper star, spray glitter (optional).

How to make it: 1. Remove the book cover. 2. Fold each page corner down to the spine. 3. Fold the bottom edge in to meet the spine. 4. Stand it up, fluff and add a star.

Old Book Christmas Crafts: A Book Page Wreath

A book page wreath looks so elegant on a door or above a mantel, and it costs almost nothing to make. Tear pages out of an old book and roll each one into a cone, holding it closed with a dab of glue. Make a big pile of them, about 80 to 100. Then glue the cones onto a foam wreath ring or a circle of sturdy cardboard, points in, wide ends out, layering rows so no base shows. The finished wreath looks a bit like a cream colored flower. Tie a big red velvet bow at the bottom for a pop of holiday color. It takes an evening, but the result looks like a boutique piece. Since it is paper, hang it indoors.

You will need: pages from an old book, a foam wreath ring or cardboard circle, a hot glue gun or tacky glue, red velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Roll each page into a cone and glue it closed. 2. Glue the outer ring of cones on first. 3. Add inner rows, overlapping as you go. 4. Tie a velvet bow at the bottom.

Book Stack Christmas Tree

Book lovers, this one is for you. Gather 20 to 30 thrifted hardbacks, ideally with green, red and cream covers. Lay the biggest books flat in a circle as the base, then keep stacking, each layer a little smaller, until you reach the top with one small book. Turn the spines out so you see the pretty cloth covers. Wrap a strand of faux garland around it in a spiral and set a star on top. It makes a wonderful corner tree for a small apartment, a library nook or a reading room. When the holidays are over, the books go right back on the shelf. Thrift stores often sell hardbacks for under a dollar, so the whole tree costs very little. Of all the old book Christmas crafts here, this one needs no glue at all. Who else loves a tree you can read?

You will need: 20 to 30 thrifted hardback books, faux garland, a star topper.

How to make it: 1. Lay the largest books in a circle for the base. 2. Stack smaller layers as you go up. 3. Wrap garland around in a spiral. 4. Top with a star.

Book Page Star Ornaments

These 3D paper stars look so fancy hanging on a tree or in a window. Cut two identical star shapes from book pages using a template, or trace a cookie cutter. Fold each star along the lines from each point to the center, and from each inner corner to the center, so it pops up into a 3D shape. Glue the two stars back to back with a loop of string in between for hanging. For a little shimmer, brush the edges with glue and dip them in gold glitter. Make them big for windows and tiny for the tree. They are light, cheap and easy, and a stack of them makes a sweet gift. They are one of the most beginner friendly old book Christmas crafts. Want to try a few tonight?

You will need: pages from an old book, a star template or cookie cutter, scissors, a glue stick, string, gold glitter (optional).

How to make it: 1. Cut two matching stars from book pages. 2. Fold each into a 3D shape. 3. Glue them back to back with a string loop inside. 4. Add glitter to the edges if you like.

Book Page Garland

This garland is so simple that kids can help, yet it looks lovely on a mantel, a shelf or a tree. Use a paper punch to cut circles or little stars from old book pages. Make a big pile. Then glue them in pairs back to back over a long piece of twine, leaving a small gap between each one. If you have a sewing machine, you can simply sew straight through the middle of each shape for a quick garland. Drape it across a bookshelf or wind it around a small tree. It adds a soft, vintage feel without any bright colors. A whole garland costs about a dollar, and one old book can make several, which makes it one of the cheapest old book Christmas crafts around.

You will need: pages from an old book, a circle or star paper punch, twine, a glue stick or a sewing machine.

How to make it: 1. Punch circles or stars from book pages. 2. Lay twine on the table. 3. Glue shapes in pairs over the twine. 4. Let it dry and hang it up.

Old Book Christmas Crafts With Mod Podge Ornaments

Here is a perfect Mod Podge project for a cozy afternoon. Grab a pack of plain plastic or glass ball ornaments. Tear old book pages into small pieces, about the size of a postage stamp. Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge on a small section of the ornament, press a few paper pieces on top and brush another coat over them. Keep going, overlapping the pieces, until the whole ball is covered. Let it dry, then add one more top coat. Tie a velvet or plaid ribbon at the top. These look so pretty in a bowl or on the tree, and they make great gifts. They also sell well at craft fairs.

You will need: plain plastic or glass ball ornaments, Mod Podge, a foam brush, pages from an old book, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Tear pages into small pieces. 2. Brush Mod Podge on a small section of the ornament. 3. Press paper on and brush over it. 4. Cover the whole ball, dry and add ribbon.

Book Page Angels

These little angels look like the ones you see in expensive gift shops. Roll a book page into a tall cone for the body and glue it closed. Trim the bottom so it stands flat. For the head, glue a small wooden bead on top. Make the wings by folding another page like a fan, pinching it in the middle and gluing it to the back. Brush the edges of the wings with a touch of gold paint, and add a tiny gold halo made from craft wire if you like. Set a few on the mantel, on a shelf or on top of the tree. Each one costs pennies to make, and they are among the most popular old book Christmas crafts to sell. Aren’t they sweet?

You will need: pages from an old book, wooden beads, glue, gold craft paint, a small brush, gold craft wire (optional).

How to make it: 1. Roll a page into a cone and glue it. 2. Trim the base so it stands. 3. Glue a wood bead on top. 4. Fan fold a page for wings, glue on and paint the edges gold.

Old Book Christmas Crafts: Hollowed Book Gift Box

Want to give a gift in a really clever way? Turn an old hardback into a secret box. Pick a thick book. Brush a coat of Mod Podge along the edges of the pages, with the cover held open, and let it dry so the pages stick together like a block. Then draw a rectangle on the top page and carefully cut down with a sharp craft knife, a few pages at a time, until you have a deep hollow. Brush Mod Podge inside to seal the walls. Tuck in jewelry, a gift card or a little treat, close the cover and tie it with ribbon. Always cut away from your hands. It is a fun surprise for any book lover.

You will need: a thick old hardback, Mod Podge, a foam brush, a ruler, a sharp craft knife, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Seal the page edges with Mod Podge and let it dry. 2. Mark a rectangle on the top page. 3. Cut down a few pages at a time. 4. Seal the inside, add the gift and tie with ribbon.

Book Page Gift Wrap

Wrapping paper adds up fast. This year, try old book pages or sheet music instead. Tape a few pages together to make a sheet big enough for your box, then wrap it like normal. Tie it with natural twine and slip a sprig of cedar, a cinnamon stick or a small pinecone under the knot. Add a kraft tag. The cream pages and simple trims look so pretty together under the tree, like something from a fancy boutique window. It is a great way to use up a book that is falling apart. Mix in a few gifts wrapped in plain brown kraft paper for contrast. Old book Christmas crafts like this make the tree look styled for almost nothing.

You will need: old book pages or sheet music, clear tape, natural twine, small greenery sprigs, kraft tags.

How to make it: 1. Tape pages together into a big sheet. 2. Wrap the gift. 3. Tie with twine. 4. Tuck in greenery and add a kraft tag.

Book Page Village Houses

A little Christmas village is such a cozy thing to display, and you can make one from paper. Print a free house template onto cardstock, cut it out and fold it into a small house. Before you glue it together, cover the walls with book page pieces using a glue stick, and cut out tiny windows and doors. Glue the house shape closed. Make five or six houses in different sizes, then line them up on a shelf or mantel with faux snow and a few bottle brush trees. The cream pages look soft and charming. Since these are paper, keep them away from any heat and use them as daytime decor. They store flat for next year.

You will need: cardstock, a free house template, pages from an old book, a glue stick, scissors, a craft knife, faux snow, bottle brush trees.

How to make it: 1. Cut out the house template from cardstock. 2. Cover it with book page pieces. 3. Cut windows and doors and fold it into shape. 4. Glue closed and display with faux snow.

Book Page Snowflakes for Windows

Paper snowflakes are a classic, but cutting them from book pages gives them a lovely vintage look. Fold a square of book page in half, then into a triangle, then fold the triangle into thirds. Snip small shapes along the edges and cut the tip into a point. Unfold carefully and press it flat under a heavy book. Tape a few to your windows with washi tape, which peels off easily without leaving marks. Make them in different sizes and scatter them across the glass like falling snow. With light shining through, you can see the soft texture of the pages. It is a quiet, calm activity that is perfect for a chilly evening, and a great way to use the last scraps from your other old book Christmas crafts.

You will need: pages from an old book, sharp scissors, washi tape, a heavy book for pressing.

How to make it: 1. Fold a square page into a triangle, then thirds. 2. Snip shapes along the edges. 3. Unfold and press flat. 4. Tape to windows with washi tape.

Old Book Christmas Crafts for Mantel and Shelf Styling

Sometimes the simplest idea is the prettiest. Gather a few thrifted cloth bound books, especially in greens, reds and creams. Stack them in small piles of three or four and tie each stack with a velvet or satin ribbon like a present. Set them along a mantel or a bookshelf with faux greenery, a few bottle brush trees and maybe one of your book page trees on top. Turn some books with the pages facing out for a soft cream texture. The look is cozy, collected and a little bit old fashioned. It costs just a few dollars and works all winter long. What a lovely way to finish your old book Christmas crafts!

You will need: thrifted cloth bound books, velvet or satin ribbon, faux greenery, bottle brush trees.

How to make it: 1. Stack books in piles of three or four. 2. Tie each stack with ribbon. 3. Arrange along the mantel with greenery. 4. Add bottle brush trees and a book page tree.