How to make your own family photo tree

Building a Family Photo Tree

Build a family tree by arranging photos of the older generations at the top and younger family members on the lower level.

For example:

Arrange photos of your grandparents on the top level
Photos of your parents on the second level
Photos of you and your siblings on the third level
Photos of your children and the children of your siblings on the fourth level
Photos of their children on the lowest level

Hang your finished photos on the ornament tree of your choice.

Consider these ideas for building a family photo tree:

grand-kids tree: with photos of grandchildren and great-grand's, etc.
ancestors tree: with photos of family elders preceding a certain date
a tree with just your immediate family
auntie-uncle tree
a business / organization family tree with photos of the founders and leaders of your company or organization
educational use to explain historical relationships: photos of American presidents, leaders, government structure etc.

Depending upon which family photo tree and the size of the mini photo frames that you choose, you can get up to twenty framed miniature photos on a tree 27" - 36". On the larger trees you can hang more. Museum wax or gel will help to secure mounted photos directly to the tree branches. Additional frames for the gold and green family photo trees are available if you need more. Clear acrylic magnetized mini frames are also available.

Adding A Hanging Ribbon to a Miniature Photo Frame

Items needed: a soft, lint-free cleaning cloth, three-six paper towels folded at the perforations, satin ribbon included with your frames (or other hanging ribbon) an awl or one hole punch (regular or decorative- optional).

Most miniature hanging photo frames were intended to be set upon a flat surface. However, you can add an appropriately colored satin ribbon to mount them on a tree. Your tree should have at least 4" - 6" between branch levels to allow for the vertical placement of the frames.

Since the back of the frames will be visible, plan to use them on a tree with the back set against a wall.

Cut your ribbons at least 1" longer than the length that you want. Lay both ends together and tie them into a knot with leaving about 1/4"-1/2" inch extra at the end.
Lay your frame face down on a padded surface or the folded paper towels. This procedure works best when the ribbon is inserted along the shortest edge of the frame. In other words, a 3" x 4" frame would be hung from the 3" side.
Gently slide the small metal tags holding the backing on your frame in place so that they are parallel and laying on the frame.
Remove the back cover, the easel, the paper and cardboard inserts.
Lightly flip the frame over and lay the glass cover carefully on a padded surface or the folded paper towels.
To create a slip knot, insert the entire ribbon under the top edge (short side, 3" side) of the frame. Open the unknotted end. Insert the knotted end into the unknotted end, pull it through then, pull it tight. You will have approximately 2" between the underside of the knot and the top edge of the frame.
Inspect the glass cover for fingerprints, dust, etc. and wipe it with a soft cloth if necessary.
Re-insert the glass cover followed by your photo, the white paper if you need it as a backing for your photo and the cardboard inserts.
Re-insert the back cover being careful to install the easel end opposite from the edge where you placed the ribbon hanger.
Slide the metal closers back into their original position.
Hang the finished photo frame on your tree.

More Photo Placement or Hanging Options

Unframed Photo Holders: if you purchase mini frames elsewhere with no means of attachment or a frame, try this:

Remove the backer board from the frame first.
Punch the hole in the backer/easel board with an awl.
Insert and tie sheer ribbon or a 1/8" - 1/4" wide ribbon
make a hanging loop or slip knot.
Re-attach the back / easel.

You could also remove the backer, easel and contents, tie a ribbon on the short edge of the frame with a slip knot then, replace the easel, etc. Make sure the photo will be correctly balanced on your tree.

Magnetize a Metal Photo Frame: Use a very strong metal magnet (1/8" - 1/4" thick) on the top edge or back side of the frame. This works best with a family photo tree that has flat arms. The thin, round arms on most of our trees will not provide a wide enough bonding surface. Please note: magnetized photo pouches or paint will not be strong enough to hold your frames on the tree.

Magnetize an Acrylic Photo Frame: Attach a very strong metal magnet (1/8" - 1/4" thick) on the top edge. A magnet strip attached at the top of the frame will allow you to insert two photos - one slightly smaller than the other. This works best with a family photo tree that has flat arms. The thin, round arms on most of our trees will not provide a wide enough bonding surface. Just be sure to deduct the width of the magnet from the length of the second photo so that your back photo is placed below the magnet. Magnetized paper photo pouches or paint will not be strong enough to hold your frames on the tree.

Create an Acrylic Photo Holder: Drill a small hole in an acrylic frame then insert your ribbon, etc. through the hole and slip know. 1/8" - 1/4" ribbon works best. Measure the hole carefully and choose a drill bit slightly smaller than the size hole you want. Save time by purchasing our pre-drilled acrylic photo holders.

Miniature Wood frame: Insert a small screw eye into the top edge of the frame. Loop ribbon through it and hang.

No room to hang every framed photo? Use an ornament hook to stagger the hanging height of your frames on the tree.

Need to hang a lot of photos? Use our clear acrylic photo holders. Or, reduce photos, laminate, use decorative scissors to cut them out and hang them un-framed.

First, reduce your photos so that they will fit on your tree. Cut them out.
Gather and group them on one side of a sheet of laminating paper then, laminate the photos.
Cut them out using straight or decorative edge scissors.
Punch a hole in the top with a decorative hole punch, an awl or a one hole punch.
Create a slip knot as described above using a solid color or decorative ribbon (1/8" - 1/4" wide), sheer ribbon etc. Brightly colored rubber bands would add a causal note and visual interest to a kids' family photo tree. Staples Office Supply has a 1-1/2 oz box that includes blue, orange, yellow, lime, purple and pink in assorted sizes for 75c.
Attach the photos to your tree.

Here's how to reduce your family photos...

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Ornament Trees

Family Photo Trees

How to Build Your Family Photo Tree With Suggestions for Decorating and Placing Photo Frames

(Project Sheet: How to reduce your photos)

Adding A Hanging Ribbon to a Miniature Photo Frame

More Photo Placement or Hanging Options