Christmas tree coloring pages

Each of these Christmas tree coloring pages catches the tree at a different moment: a child on a stool placing the star on top, a family hanging ornaments by the fire, a toy train running around the base, and a cat asleep on a blanket underneath.

The simple sheets include a plump tree with a big star, a small tree in a patterned pot and two chubby firs under falling snow. The tree hung with bead garlands and little bells has many small shapes and suits children who like to go slowly.

A tree looks fuller when it is colored with two or three greens instead of one, darker near the trunk and lighter at the tips. Color the baubles and garlands last, in bright colors, so they stand out against the branches.

The little fir tree standing among tall firs, with a hare at its trunk, comes from Andersen’s tale The Fir Tree, and the QR code on the printout opens it. It is a story worth reading in early December while the paper trees go up on the wall.