3D Christmas Trees and Holiday Crafts You Can Print

Why 3D Print a Christmas Tree This Year?

There’s something oddly satisfying about pulling out the same old Christmas box every year… until you realise you’ve been hanging the exact same tree ornaments since you were twelve.

Instead of buying whatever the store has left on the shelf in week two of December, you can print exactly what you want, your style, your size, your colours, your weird little ideas that no one else’s tree will ever have.

Want a mini 3D Christmas tree for your desk? Customize it.

A layered Christmas 3D tree that folds flat when you pack it? Also, create it.

An over-the-top xmas tree 3d design with geometric branches and a star shaped like a hex nut? You’re the boss. You control scale, color, and structure - something store-bought décor never offers.

And you don’t need to spend days sanding, painting, or fighting with a glue gun, that’s the best part. Swap colours, scale models up or down, add names, tweak patterns, this is the one time of the year where “being picky” is a superpower.

If you don’t have a printer (or you don’t feel like wrestling with supports and slicer settings), JLC3DP can take the load off. We print everything with professional machines, clean surface quality, and holiday-level speed, so your tree looks like you planned it instead of rushing it. Think crisp PLA mini-trees, multi-part prints that snap together like a little engineering flex. You send the model; we send the finished piece. Simple.

This year, skip the generic stuff. Make Christmas something you actually designed.

3D Christmas Trees: Mini, Tabletop & Large Designs

Not every Christmas tree has to dominate the living room. Sometimes all you need is a tiny one watching over your keyboard… or a mid-sized one chilling on your shelf… or a bold, 30-centimetre tabletop piece that says yes, I celebrate, efficiently. The fun part about 3D printing is you’re not stuck with the sizes the stores decide to sell. You get full range, from pocket-small to centerpiece-worthy, all without leaving your chair.

1. Mini Christmas Trees

For quick, cute décor, a printed Christmas tree in mini size (8–12 cm) is perfect. These are the little trees you drop on your office desk, gift with hot chocolate kits, or line up on a windowsill like an army of festive green cones. They print fast, use barely any filament, and you can easily experiment with styles, spiral trees, low-poly geometry, stacked rings, or even models that twist apart so you can hide candy inside.

Some designs even feature transforming or articulated elements, aka transformer Christmas trees.

2. Mid-Sized & Tabletop Christmas Trees

If you want a tree that clearly stands out in a room, go mid-sized. These Christmas trees in 3D designs often come in multiple pieces that slot or screw together, which means cleaner detail without spending hours fighting tall-print wobble. You can get more adventurous here, interlocking branches, modular layers, trees with cut-outs that let LED lights shine through. A little more filament, but still a very forgiving print.

3. Large & Modular Christmas Trees

Then there are the larger tabletop models, 25 cm and up. These really show off the craft side of 3D printing. Most people lean toward two- or three-part assemblies so each section prints flat and stable. If you’re feeling extra festive, multi-colour prints look incredible on these.

Material Choices for Larger 3D Christmas Trees

Based on what we see at JLC3DP, once Christmas trees become larger or modular, material choice often matters more than design alone.

JLC3DP has printed plenty of holiday-themed models for clients over the years, and the same pattern shows up every December. Natural wood-tone PLA is a favorite for a classic, handcrafted look, while satin or matte PLA delivers that smooth, “store-bought but better” finish for trees, ornaments, and toppers.

For modular designs, bonding quality often becomes more noticeable over time. Adhesive choice can influence how well modular parts hold up across seasons. We’ve found that joining methods often matter just as much as the material itself. Read our guide on [The Best Glue for PLA 3D Prints] for seamless assembly tips.

Among home printers, PETG is a common choice, particularly when durability is the top priority. Makers choose it for its added toughness and heat resistance, ensuring pieces can survive multiple holiday seasons or heavier handling.

3D Printed Ornaments: Ditch the Generic

Look, the Christmas tree is the main event, right? You may be tired of the same traditional ornaments from store shelves. They all look the same and feel uninspired. I get it. This is your time to show what you like. 3D printing lets you design and make ornaments that fit your home, your style, or any look you want.

Simple Ornaments for Beginners

As a new maker, you could start with the basics, sure—snowflakes, simple stars, spheres, maybe little trees.

Even printing these clean, low-poly shapes works perfectly, especially if you’re new to 3D printing. A basic ribbed sphere or a clean star already looks intentional, not complicated. If you switch out the filament for

something metallic, it instantly looks like it came from some expensive design magazine.

Geometric & Modern 3D Printed Ornaments

If you’ve already mastered the basics, you can move into more adventurous geometric designs. We’re talking little figurines, sharp faceted diamonds, interlocking frames, twisted spirals, or honeycomb patterns. These things weigh next to nothing, they print incredibly fast, and they look awesome straight off the build plate, you don’t even need paint. If your entire tree theme is "modern minimalist," this category is where you'll spend all your design time.

If you like the traditional vibe, try layered stars, those classic bell silhouettes, or the filigree and lace-style snowmen. Use satin PLA for these; it catches the lights really softly and looks classy, it doesn't have that "printed plastic" feel. Throw on a quick coat of gold spray paint? You've instantly got stuff that feels like a family heirloom.

Kid-Friendly 3D Christmas Decorations

The kids’ stuff is the most fun part, though. Little miniature gingerbread houses, mini things like trains, chairlifts, or cookies, hollow baubles that you can hide surprises inside, or two-piece globes that just snap together. PLA is usually the best choice in this case. It is easy to print, super easy to paint, and best of all, it survives drops much better than anything made of glass.

DIY 3D Tree Toppers

The topper is the single most important decorative element; it entirely dictates the mood of your holiday setup. Printing one in 3D allows you to choose exactly that aesthetic: classic, modern, flat-out experimental. Most people immediately print stars, but you should take it further. Go for geometric bursts, those complex filigree cones, maybe an angel silhouette, or even a custom monogram if you want to declare your initials at Christmas dinner. You control the scale entirely.

Choosing the Right Size & Attachment

You need to think about size, though. Small trees (desk or shelf) only handle 60 to 90 mm toppers. Medium tabletop trees need 120 to 150 mm.

If you have a full-size living room tree, you are looking at 180 to 250 mm, depending on the material weight. Attachment is where beginners always struggle. Print the base cone slightly oversized so it slides onto the top branch without causing a split.

If the tree has thinner branches, print a simple hollow cylinder and secure a small foam insert inside for a reliable grip. For heavier pieces, a cross-brace structure inside the base cone is mandatory for rigidity.

3D Christmas Tree Cards & Holiday Crafts

Not every holiday print has to go on the tree. Some of the most meaningful Christmas pieces are the ones you give to someone else. 3D printed cards and holiday crafts turn a simple greeting into something people keep long after the holidays are over.

3D Tree Christmas Cards

Giving someone a card box you made yourself carries huge personal appeal, and 3D printed Christmas card boxes push that feeling even further. Instead of a flat design they look at once, you give them a small object they actually keep on their desk or shelf.

You can print layered scenes, tiny snowy hills, star cutouts, or a miniature cabin built around a 3D Christmas tree. These designs work especially well for gifting because they feel personal without being fragile.

Pop-Up & Flat-Pack 3D Christmas Crafts

If you have ever opened one of those clever punch-out card kits where pieces snap together, 3D printing takes that idea and improves it. You can print flat “puzzle panels” that assemble into a small Christmas tree, winter scene, or mini village.

They ship flat, store easily, and travel well. Once assembled, they feel far more special than a standard folded card. Kids enjoy building them, adults tend to keep them on their desks, and the design can be adjusted before printing to match the occasion.

These are perfect for quick gifts, office exchanges, or anyone who likes a holiday card that does more than sit still.

Where to Find or Commission 3D Print Models

You've got your creation in mind, but perhaps you're still looking for the perfect 3D Christmas print files.

Good news: There are tons of solid STL sources out there—free, paid, simple, artistic, and everything in between. Places like Printables, Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, Thangs, and Cults have enough Christmas models to keep you busy through New Year’s.

For a complete breakdown of the best platforms to get your files, check out our guide: [The Best Websites to Get 3D Printing Files in 2025]

If you want something custom or simply do not have the time (or patience) to tinker with slicer settings, commissioning the print is the easier route. JLC3DP does this all the time, holiday decorations, small batches, last-minute gifts, you name it. Send the model, or ask for help finding one, and they will print it clean, ship it fast, and save you from an entire weekend of troubleshooting.

Want your tree, ornament, or topper printed professionally? Reach out to JLC3DP and get a quick quote.

Tips for Clean, Display-Ready 3D Christmas Prints

Get your 3d model ready, but wait. There's still something important. No matter what you print — a mini desk tree, a large tabletop tree, ornaments, or a custom topper — the same basics decide whether it looks finished or rushed. These general factors often separate display-ready prints from rushed ones. (The following are general considerations, not detailed print settings.)

1. Design plays a bigger role than settings

Some designs naturally look cleaner than others.

Fine branches, lattice patterns, and open frames tend to show layer lines, while chunky or stylized designs hide them well. Many people find that bold shapes feel more “finished” straight off the printer, especially for holiday display.

2. Surface detail varies by style

Highly detailed trees and ornaments often appear smoother, while bold, minimalist designs still look intentional with visible layers. The perceived finish depends more on the model style than on pushing extreme precision.

3. Supports influence visible surfaces

Some Christmas designs print cleanly with no supports at all, while twisted or overhanging shapes may show marks where supports were removed. In many cases, surface quality is shaped earlier in the design than during finishing.

4. Infill mainly affects weight and stability

For small ornaments, weight often matters less than balance. Larger or modular trees usually feel more stable when they have enough internal structure, especially once fully assembled and displayed.

5. Scale changes both look and handling

Small prints tend to be forgiving and quick, while mid-size and large tabletop trees feel more like assembled decor pieces. As scale increases, alignment, base stability, and structure become more noticeable in long-term display.

6. Paint enhances, it does not fix

Sanding, primer, and paint can elevate a clean print, but they rarely hide major surface flaws. Metallic, satin, and matte finishes tend to work best on prints that already look consistent off the build plate.

7. Consistency matters for reusable decorations

Simple, well-designed models often age better across multiple holiday seasons. Highly detailed or oversized decorations tend to look their best when surface quality is consistent from the start, especially if they’re reused year after year.

All in all: If printing at home feels limiting — due to size, detail, or time — professional printing services can handle complex holiday models with consistent surface quality…

A couple of quick finishing ideas if you’re going all-in:

Sand and spray with metallic paint...

Add glitter clear-coat...

Drop LED tea lights...

Use filament swaps…

For more details on improving our prints, read the guide on how to improve the quality of your 3D prints.

Conclusion & Holiday Inspiration

If you have ever wanted your holiday decor to feel a little more you, 3D printing is the easiest way to make it happen. A 3d printed Christmas tree decoration, a custom topper, or even a tiny desk-sized 3d print Christmas tree all carry that small spark of “I made this.” It feels good. It looks good. Plus it beats buying the same box of ornaments everyone else grabbed from the store.

So try a simple print, or go wild with a full tabletop tree. Mix colors. Add LEDs. Print a whole set if you feel like it. The fun part is seeing these little pieces come to life layer by layer.

Happy printing, and happy holidays.

FAQ

Q: Which materials are best for printing Christmas decorations?
A: PLA is great for beginner-friendly prints and small ornaments, taking paint and sanding well. PETG is tougher and slightly translucent, perfect for light-up decorations. For premium, long-lasting pieces, resin or nylon-based MJF prints give sharp details and durability.

Q: Can I customize sizes and colors for my 3D Christmas trees?
A: Absolutely. That’s the magic of 3D printing. You can scale STL files, mix filaments, or print different layers in contrasting colors. Even a simple desk tree can look like a professional display with a little creativity.

Q: How do I attach 3D-printed tree toppers or ornaments?
A: Small pegs, clips, or slots often work. For heavier resin or nylon pieces, a little hot glue or double-sided tape is perfect.

Q: Can I print 3D Christmas cards with pop-up or layered trees?
A: Yes! 3D tree Christmas cards are a fun twist on traditional cards. You can make interactive designs that fold flat, pop up, or even include tiny printed ornaments.