Decorating Tree Branches For Christmas

21 Alternative DIY Christmas Tree Ideas

For trend setters and small space dwellers, a traditional Christmas tree doesn't always work. Here are some DIY Christmas tree ideas to spice up the holidays.

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DIY Triangle Wreath Tree

Recreate this gorgeous, space-saving wreath from Oleander and Palm. This modern triangle Christmas tree hangs on your wall, providing festive cheer without hogging any floorspace. Use real greenery to fill your home with a wintry pine scent.

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Wood Pallet Trees

Wood pallets have been all the rage in DIY for some time, but have you ever seen them used this way? Turn your leftover wood pallets into rustic Christmas trees. Leave them bare like these from @ironwood_nc or paint them red and green like Christmas Lights Etc.

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Rustic Wood Tree

This rustic tree is made from reclaimed wood for a one-of-a-kind design that can be placed in the corner of the living room or on a tabletop, depending on how big you make it. Find some wood and grab a saw, hammer and nails to create these primitive Christmas tree alternatives.

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Christmas Tree Alternatives: Book Tree

Is there a book lover in your home? This book tree works well in a small space decorated with a strand of mini Christmas lights.

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Craft Project Tree

Kids can help create these alternative Christmas trees with simple craft supplies such as sticks, pipe cleaners and glue. When finished, hang some of your favorite little ornaments from the "branches."

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Decorated Branch Tree

Christmas decorating doesn't get much easier than this hanging branch Christmas tree. Go outside and find a branch, or purchase a plastic one from a craft store. Place it in a vase or pot or hang it from the ceiling or a chandelier, then decorate it with your favorite ornaments. This would work great as a centerpiece or atop a living room table.

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Christmas Tree Art

If you have a fireplace and no room for a traditional tree, try decorating the mantel with some DIY tree art. Find a piece of reclaimed wood or even canvas for a backdrop. Use wire to form a tree shape or simple zigzag, and decorate with ribbon or strips of fabric tied to the wire. This ombre effect is on trend!

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Wine Cork Tree

For the wine drinker, try using all those corks to create DIY alternative Christmas trees. There are several ideas on Pinterest to provide inspiration.

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Plywood Tree

This tree is made from sheets of birch plywood with stars cut out for modern Christmas tree alternatives. Search for "plywood Christmas tree patterns" online for dozens of additional options. And a scroll saw works best for cutting the large pieces of plywood for a tree this size.

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String ArchiVIZ/Shutterstock

String Tree

If you have room, consider recreating this tree. Hang some string from the ceiling and attach ornaments or even paper snowflakes from the end. Place gifts underneath.

If you're going with a real Christmas tree this season, get in a festive holiday mood by building this sturdy DIY Christmas tree stand:

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Decorated Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Decorated Handmade Tree

Try making a smaller handmade tree with scrap pieces of wood or even sturdy cardboard. Then decorate the tree with beads, ribbon and ornaments.

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Gift Maglara/Shutterstock

Gift Tree

Simply stack some wrapped gifts on top of each other to create a tree shape. Top with decorative items such as pine cones, ornaments or even a Santa hat.

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Twig Fabrizio248/Shutterstock

Twig Tree

Bring in some twigs from outside or pick up some fake twigs from your local craft store. Stick them in a decorative vase and hang some ornaments. Remove the ornaments in January and this holiday tip becomes year-round decor.

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Hanging Kostikova Natalia/Shutterstock

Hanging Tree

Young kids will love hanging this DIY Christmas tree in their bedroom. Try decorating some paint stir sticks and then tie a string on the ends to create a hanging tree. This craft is small enough that you could still have space for a live tree.

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Wooden Eugeniya Pavlenko/Shutterstock

Wooden Tree

This would be a great project for using up some pallet wood. Simply take a pallet and cut it so it is shaped like a tree. Decorate the tree with lights and your favorite ornaments. Check real and pallet Christmas trees for bugs before bringing them inside.

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chalk Mahony/Shutterstock

Chalkboard Tree

Look for a small chalkboard at a craft store and draw a Christmas tree on the board. Put it on a shelf and place items such as pine cones and evergreen branches at the base to add holiday cheer to any room.

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Upside-Down Fusionstudio/Shutterstock

Upside-Down Tree

This alternative Christmas tree will take some planning, but when completed it certainly makes a statement. And toddlers and cats can't get at it!

Take precautions when hanging it to make sure it won't come crashing down on anything breakable. Hanging your tree like this will keep your ornaments safe from pets, and it frees up more floor space for gifts. Store your Christmas tree properly after removing it from the ceiling.

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Cone Kostikova Natalia/Shutterstock

Cone Trees

Decorate some cones so they look like trees. Bend sturdy construction paper into a cone shape and attach the sides with tape. Then decorate it with markers, yarn or paint and add buttons and string. They're inexpensive but super chic — the perfect holiday decorating tip.

Originally Published: December 04, 2019

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