Start this project by laying out the sticks in the order of size with the smallest at the top and going all the way down to the biggest at the bottom.  Cut a piece of ribbon or twine almost double the size of the tree.

You will need two pieces that are the same size.  Start by tying both pieces together in a knot for the top of the tree.  Now tie a knot around the first stick on one side and with the other string on the other side as seen in the photo.

You will want to try to tie your knots the same distance apart on each branch to tie the knot to.  Finish at the very last branch by tying a double knot at the end.  I added a battery operated tea light to the top of my tree.  I didn't have to glue it because it fit snug in between the twine I used and the first branch.

Now that your tree is complete, you just have to decorate it!  We used ribbon, pipe cleaners in different colors along with buttons and beads on our tree.  I have a huge jar of extra buttons that we have been saving for a long time.  It comes in handy when making crafts with the kids.  I usually take them off ruined shirts that cannot be donated.