My Angel Tree

Remember Your Loved Ones With This Holiday Craft

By Lauren Wojtalewski

In memory of my friend Cate Skidmore.

The holidays are difficult for many people who have lost loved ones. I feel the grief stronger than ever myself as I lost my husband, my mother and my close mom friend all in a span of five years. It’s tough feeling so much grief for three people that were my rocks throughout my life. Everyday I wish I could talk to one of them or just feel their presence in the room.

I have learned that grief is really just the love you feel for a person who has passed. Grief never goes away, we just learn to live with it as best we can. For me, making crafts that remind me of my loved ones helps to channel my grief into something positive.

The Angel Tree is a wonderful way to encapsulate memories of loved ones using paper and mementos as reminders. Here’s my Angel Tree and instructions so you can make one, too. If you decide to make a tree for your loved ones, I hope it brings you joy whenever you look at it, whether it’s just for the holidays or all year long.

Supply List

• 8.5 x 11in piece of paper

• Circle cutter (optional)

• Ruler

• X-acto knife or scissors

• 1 button

• 1 piece of twine or ribbon

• Tacky glue or hot glue gun

Step 1

Step 1: Find or create your meaningful piece of paper that represents your loved one. I created a collage and used mod podge to seal it.

Step 2

Step 2: Cut two circles out of your paper using a circle cutter or trace a circle with a cookie cutter and cut it out with scissors.

Step 3

Step 3: Fold the edges of one of the circles to create the body of the angel.

Step 4

Step 4: Use a ruler and a x-acto knife to cute the second circle in half to create the wings of the angel.

Step 5

Step 5: Use tacky glue or a hot glue gun to attach the wings to the body and a button for the head.

Step 6

Step 6: Place your twine or ribbon on the back of the angel with tacky glue or hot glue.