What's the holiday season without lights? Today's project is a pyramid-shaped Christmas tree that doubles as a luminaria. This one measures 4 by 4 inches at the base and stands at 5-1/2 inches tall (the actual height of each triangular piece is 7-1/2 inches), but you can alter the measurements of the triangles to make the tree skinnier, squatter, taller or shorter.

You will need:

* Tree template (available here, or make your own)
* 12 by 12 patterned paper
* Pencil
* Ruler or straightedge
* Craft knife
* Cutting mat
* Narrow double-sided tape
* Electric tea light
* Metallic cardstock, 4-1/4 by 4-1/4 inches (optional)

Using the template as a guide, trace the pyramid shape and V’s onto the back of a 12 by 12 sheet of patterned paper. Cut out the shape, then carefully use a craft knife and cutting mat to cut the V's. Make sure that you cut all the way through the paper, and that the points of the V's meet. Score and fold along the dotted lines, then from the back, push up the tabs formed by the V’s. You can either fold them flat, or curl them upwards.

Apply a strip of double-sided tape to the side tab, then stick the edges of the pyramid together.

Next, make a base for the luminaria. The reflective surface of the base will allow the light to bounce off from it, making the light brighter. Mark, measure and cut a piece of metallic cardstock to the indicated size. If you've changed the measurement of the base, adjust the size of the metallic cardstock by adding ¼ inch to each side of the square. If you don’t have metallic cardstock, you can also use a piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil. Set the base on the table, turn on the electric tea light and set it on the base, then cover the light with the tree luminaria.

Variation: To make a three-sided pyramid, simply cut off from the template the triangle that’s farthest from the tab, and proceed as above.