{DIY or DIE} A Space-Saving Christmas Tree Alternative
If you’re looking around your broke-ass digs and thinking “Hmmm, how can I make this more holiday-tastic?”, well then you’re in luck! We’re reposting this DIY Christmas classic from last year! ENJOY!
On Thursday, Hunter and I leave to spend 3 weeks in Chicago for the Holidays, so we decided that the space a proper Christmas Tree would take up in our house isn’t really justified considering our lengthy absence. In fact, I’m cool with nixing the traditional tree altogether, at least until we celebrate the holidays here, at our own house. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want any Christmas spirit up in our living room… I’m a sucker for the season! So I had an idea to make a 2-dimensional tree instead, using reclaimed wood, some paint, string bulb lights and ornaments… and we whipped ourselves up an affordable, crafty, reusable and festive space-saving spin on an old tradition!
We found this old cabinet door at our local architectural salvage, for $25. Yeah, we’re eco like that. Plus it adds character! I love the little knob on the side. Its thin enough to suit our drilling purposes (about 1/2″ thick), and can easily be hidden away somewhere after the season until next year.
Hunter, all sexy in his carpenter-artist mode, removed the hinge on the side, and sketched out a tree shape in pencil.
We shopped at a local, indie art store for the art supplies. Paintbrush: $1.99. We used 2 shades of green to add a little pizzaz and contrast. The lighter green paint was a test can for only $3.99, the dark green and brown were $0.75 because we needed so little. We got the lights for $6.50 at Rite Aid.
Once it was dry, Hunter used a wide-gauge drill bit to make holes big enough for the bulb part of the lights. Then he drilled halfway through the backs of the holes with the next-largest bit, so the rear of the hole was wider, but the front narrower.
That way, the fatter light socket could fit through the back of the hole, the thinner bulb could fit through the front, and they could “mate” somewhere in between, thus holding the lights in place juuuuuuuust right. I love those bigger multi-colored lights at Christmastime. They feel so cozy to me!
Then we strategically nailed in some small ball ornaments that we got in tubes of 6 at the dollar store. We went with red, silver and white ones, about the size of golf balls, some matte, some shiny. Cost: $2.00
We thought about painting on a yellow star, but then we had a better idea. Paco’s favorite toy happens to be a stuffed yellow starfish, with a face that seems to say “oh noooooo!” but for our purposes I see it more as Noooooooeeeeeell! (or something). Voila! Our tree:
Total cost: $40.98. Lean, green, and bursting with holiday cheer! We just leaned it up against a bare patch of wall, but I think next year, we’ll hang it!
We absolutely love our kitschy little tree and its warm, cozy glow. Everyone at our holiday parties loved it too. We’re gaining confidence in our ninja crafting skills, little by little…. and this project was pretty darn easy peasy. What do you think? Would you DIY your Christmas Tree?
um……….amazing. I adore this idea and plan on using it ASAP.
That tree is adorable. Way to rock the DIY for the holiday season!
Having seen it in person, I can safely say, it Rocks! Great, fun idea!
YOU GUYS ROCK!! THIS IS SO AWESOME!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I've seen the tree in person and it's BADASS!
seen it in person and i LOVES this tree!
I negotiated with the tree guy out on the street to give me a tree top for free! Then I went to the dollar store, grabbed some lights and some ornaments. Added the stockings and tada! I think all in all this cost me about $8.00.
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Thanks Rachel! Send us a pic of your craftiness when you're done.
Gracias Amber!
Thank you sir and thanks for coming on Saturday. It was great to see you and the Mrs!
Cheers Diana!
Thanks Lydia! It's pretty shy but I think our tree loves you too.
Nice Ryan! Go on with yo' Broke-Ass self!
So awesome…even if it was expensive…still awesome!
Oh and ps love the hair.
So cute and creative!
Brilliant. It's adorable!!!!!!!
I also like the part of the story where you come to Chicago.
That's really creative! I might be a little worried about the bulbs getting too hot in the wood though.
Wow! that was indeed an art…Very cute for the Christmas season..
Great Idea for the holidays. thanks for sharing your creativity.
Wow! A really unique way of preparing your Christmas tree.
Wow I love the idea of making your tree by yourself. I have been thinking of doing something about our junks here. I might find something useful to recycle with.