Turn paper into a distinctive pop-up holiday centerpiece with this craft from pop-up book author David Carter.

Tools and Materials
Christmas tree template
Base template
2 pieces light-green lightweight card stock or art paper
1 piece white lightweight card stock or art paper
Stapler
Tape
Ruler
Bone folder
Craft knife
Screw punch
Craft glue
Two pieces of cardboard, mat board, or chip board, at least 10 by 14 inches.
Battery-powered LED light
Craft punches and decorative paper for decorating tree (optional)
Gem stickers for decorating tree (optional)
Fake snow (optional)

Pop-Up Tree How-To
1. Print Christmas tree template and base template, enlarging the base template 150 percent.

2. Stack two pieces of light-green paper and place tree template on top. Staple around tree to temporarily hold layers together. Score on dashed lines with a ruler and bone folder. Cut out tree and branches on solid lines. Punch holes where indicated with a screw punch.

3. Put base circle template on white paper, stapling or taping in place. Score on dashed lines and cut on solid lines.

4. Tape the two tree pieces together, right sides facing, at tab at base. Glue tabs together, using just a dab of glue for each. Allow to dry.

5. Remove tape from trees. Insert base tabs into slits on base; glue and let dry.

6. With tree and base folded, glue half of base to one board, aligning the fold in the base just slightly beyond the edge of the board. Use inner half circle of base "collar" as a reference to cut semicircle out of board. Glue other half of base to other board. With tree and boards folded, cut semi-circle from second board.

7. Open boards, allowing tree to pop up. Place battery light under tree, within cut circle. Decorate with punched shapes or gem stickers. Place fake snow around base, if desired.

Resources
Martha used Canson Mi-Teintes Drawing Papers for the tree and base, available at Blick Art Materials. Battery-powered LED "puck" lights available at home improvement stores. All other tools and materials are from Martha Stewart Crafts.