Geometric shapes commonly make up the parts of Christmas trees in drawings and crafts. Smaller shapes represent the different types of tree decorations. Teachers use Christmas tree crafts for math lessons on geometric shapes and for art lessons on using basic shapes in designs. Children learn to look for the different shapes that make up the parts of an object by making Christmas trees, and how to represent objects by combining various shapes. Christmas tree crafts integrate holiday fun with learning.

Draw geometric shapes for a Christmas tree craft on a piece of paper, or print a template with the necessary shapes. Draw four triangles of graduated sizes. Draw a rectangle for the tree trunk. Draw decorations smaller than the smallest tree triangle, including a star and various sizes of circles and diamonds for ornaments.

Color the shapes for making Christmas trees in any colors that seem appropriate. The trunk is commonly brown or tan and the tree triangles green, but some Christmas trees are all white, blue or silver. Use a variety of colors for the star and ornament shapes.

Cut out each of the shapes with scissors. Use another sheet of paper or card stock as a background mat for the Christmas tree craft.

Lay the largest triangle on the paper or card stock, with one edge parallel to the bottom of the background mat. Place the rectangle directly under the triangle, and glue both to the mat with a glue stick.

Lay the next largest triangle over the top point of the first triangle and glue it in place. The first triangle takes on the shape of a trapezoid with the top point covered. Glue the other two triangles on in the same way from largest to smallest.

Decorate the Christmas tree by gluing the star on top and gluing the ornament shapes over various spots on the tree.