How To Draw A Christmas Tree That Actually Looks Like A Christmas Tree (Even If You Can't Draw A Straight Line)

How to Draw a Christmas Tree That Actually Looks Like a Christmas Tree (Even If You Can’t Draw a Straight Line)

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How to Draw a Christmas Tree That Actually Looks Like a Christmas Tree (Even If You Can’t Draw a Straight Line)

Drawing an easy Christmas tree saved my sanity last December when my six-year-old announced she needed a handmade holiday card for everyone in her class—by tomorrow morning, naturally.

I’m not an artist.

My stick figures look like they’ve been in accidents.

But I discovered something brilliant: Christmas trees are basically fancy triangles, and triangles are hard to mess up.

Why Your Christmas Tree Drawing Looks Wonky (And How to Fix It)

Listen, I’ve seen parents panic over school art projects like they’re defending a dissertation.

Your kid’s teacher isn’t expecting Rembrandt.

They’re expecting effort, a bit of glitter, and maybe some glue in places it shouldn’t be.

The secret to a decent Christmas tree drawing?

Three triangles or one zigzag line.

That’s it.

The Foolproof Triangle Method (My Personal Favorite)

I learned this method while sitting at my kitchen table surrounded by green colored pencils and the mild hysteria of a looming deadline.

Here’s What You’ll Actually Do:

Step One: The Tippy Top

Draw a small triangle in the middle of your page, point facing up.

Make it small—think the size of your thumbnail if you’re working on regular paper.

This is your tree top, and it should look a bit timid and precious up there all alone.

Step Two: The Middle Child Triangle

Right underneath that first triangle, draw a bigger one.

Let the bottom of your first triangle overlap slightly with the top of this second one.

Not touching? They look disconnected.

Overlapping too much? Looks like your tree is melting.

Aim for just a tiny overlap—maybe a quarter inch.

Step Three: The Big Bottom Triangle

Draw your third triangle under the second one, making it noticeably bigger.

This is the Kardashian of triangles—bold, impossible to ignore, taking up space.

Together, these three triangles create that classic tiered Christmas tree look you see on every holiday sweater your aunt owns.

Step Four: Give It Legs (The Trunk)

Draw a small rectangle under your biggest triangle.

Make it narrow—about as wide as your pinky finger.

Too wide and your tree looks like it’s been hitting the gym.

Too narrow and it can’t possibly support all those triangles.

Step Five: Make It Festive

This is where washable markers become your best friend, especially with kids involved.

Color your triangles green and your trunk brown.

Then add:

A star at the very top (doesn’t have to be perfect—wonky stars have character)
Little circles scattered across the triangles for ornaments
Wavy lines going side to side for garland
Dots or small rectangles at the base for presents if you’re feeling ambitious

The Zigzag Method (When You’re Feeling Confident)

I tried this method second, after I’d mastered triangles and felt like Picasso.

It’s actually faster once you get the hang of it.

Here’s the Play-by-Play:

Start Small at the Top

Near the top of your page, draw a tiny sideways “V” shape.

Think of it as a bird flying away from you.

Zigzag Your Way Down

From where your first “V” ended, draw another “V” going the opposite direction.

Keep going back and forth, making each “V” slightly longer than the one above it.

You’re creating a continuous zigzag line that forms a triangle shape.

The trick?

Keep your angles consistent.

Don’t go wild and suddenly make one side dramatically longer—unless you’re going for a tree that’s been through a windstorm, which honestly could be a vibe.