This December, the Awatea and Whakaaturanga Gallery will transform into a mini wonderland for Merry Minis in Morrinsville — a wonderful display of handmade miniature Christmas trees created by local families, schools, and businesses.

From quirky creations to elegant evergreens (and everything in between), our community is coming together to build a Festive Forest that celebrates creativity, recycling, and a good bit of friendly competition.

Will your tree be the talk of the town? Or will the café down the road take the crown for "Most Creative Use of a Coffee Cup"? There’s only one way to find out — join in the fun!

Get Crafty: Ideas for Recycled Mini Trees

Whether you’re making something at home or joining one of our two creative workshops, here are some creative ideas to get you started:

• Book Tree: Stack or fan out old paperbacks into a pyramid, wrap in fairy lights, and top with a recycled cardboard star.

• Coffee Cup Creation: Use takeaway cups, lids, or stirrers to build a tiered tree — extra points if it smells like espresso.

• Button Beauty: Glue colourful buttons or bottle caps onto a cardboard cone for a bright and tactile tree.

• Bottle Cap Bling: Collect caps from fizzy drinks, paint them festive colours, and arrange them in a tree shape.

• Corky Christmas: Save wine corks (local vineyards, we’re looking at you) and stack them into a rustic mini tree.

• Boxy Build: Use small cardboard boxes or packaging offcuts to make a geometric or modern tree.

• Carton Creation: Egg cartons make wonderful layered “branches” when painted green or gold.

• Light Bulb Tree: Upcycle old bulbs into glittery ornaments for your miniature tree.

• Natural Nook: Gather twigs, pinecones, and leaves for a nature-inspired mini masterpiece.

• Fabric Fancy: Use scrap fabric, ribbons, or lace to make a soft, shabby-chic Christmas tree.