DIY Christmas trees are my favourite Christmas crafting theme. I make a few new ones each year. My home is scattered with alternative and upcycled Christmas trees during the festive season.
These range from cute tabletop Christmas trees to larger free-standing ones you can decorate. This collection focuses on larger DIY Christmas trees.
Don’t forget the benefits of upcycling too, and being that little bit greener at Christmas. Most alternative Christmas trees are affordable and made from upcycled materials. Examples of materials used include pallets, cut branches, beer bottles, picture frames and lampshades.
Alternative Christmas trees can be great space savers. A flat Christmas tree hung in a narrow hallway or small apartment will add festive cheer without getting in the way.
I hate picking up pine needles. I know you can get non-needle-dropping trees. But I still seem to end up with a rug full of them. With a DIY Christmas tree, there are no dropped pine needles to sweep!
To keep with the repurposing theme, my DIY Christmas trees are decorated with upcycled Christmas ornaments and ornaments made from natural items.
Cool Ideas for Alternative & Upcycled Christmas Trees
How To Make A Rustic Christmas Tree From Old Lampshades
For those that like a simple look the tree can be left bare. But I prefer it decorated, visit the blog to see this tree in all its full Boho decorated glory.
Giant Cardboard Christmas Trees
This is a fun way to repurpose those large cardboard packaging boxes. Leave the trees plain or paint and decorate them.
Unique DIY Wooden Christmas Tree With Knobs On
Another upcycled flat Christmas idea. The knobs and hooks are great for hanging decorations on.
DIY Minimal Wooden Christmas Tree
I've not seen a wooden Christmas tree like this before. The zig-zag shape is cool. You could use an old pallet to make this tree.
Quick & Easy DIY Pine Branch Christmas Tree
Sometimes, something so simple can just look so good. I want to try this on the big white wall I have in my hallway. Also, as it is flat it doesn't take up any space.
How To Make A DIY Branch Christmas Tree
Create an a-frame with branches from your garden to make this alternative Christmas tree. It can be made as free-standing or hung on the wall.
How To Create Unique Christmas Tree Wall Art
This is a very unique alternative Christmas tree using upcycled picture frames. It looks very colourful with the hand-painted ornaments.
DIY Beer Bottle Tree
Not that I need an excuse to drink more beer, but this is a good one. I think green wine bottles would also work well.
Pallet Christmas Tree - Redhead Can Decorate
A pallet Christmas tree for those that don't actually want to do any woodworking. I love it though!
How to Make a Driftwood Christmas Tree
A wonderful alternative Christmas tree for those that live by the coast. But I'm sure you could make the same tree from twigs collected from the forest floor.
A treeless ladder Christmas tree – Day 10
Donna always has the best ideas for upcycling junk. I think this upcycled ladder Christmas tree is a brilliant idea.
DIY Tomato Cage Christmas Tree
Add foliage to an upcycled tomato cage to make this green Christmas tree.
Rustic Pallet Christmas Tree
Pallets are a good source of free wood and fun to upcycle into a Christmas tree for the porch.
DIY Plywood Christmas Tree
A great space saver and a very stylish alternative Christmas tree.
Dec 11 Rustic Scandinavian Ladder Christmas Tree
All you need are a few branches from your garden/yard to make this Scandinavian ladder Christmas tree.
How To Make A Fun Wood Slice Christmas Tree
Large wood slices are decorated with string art ornaments to make this festive wall hung Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Christmas Card Holder
This simple wooden tree doubles up as a Christmas cardholder.
Cardboard Christmas Trees - Just Paint It Blog
Another giant cardboard Christmas tree, but this design is quite different to the other one in this post.
Homemade Christmas Card Display tree
A simple branch Christmas tree that can also be used as a Christmas cardholder.
DIY Outdoor Christmas Trees with Lights
I'd love one of these wooden trees with lights outside my front door.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Tree Shelf
It's the Christmas village that makes this tree so interesting.
COASTAL BRANCH TREE FOR CHRISTMAS
Another cool branch Christmas tree, this one has been painted and hangs from the wall.
How To Make A Stylish Scandinavian Christmas Tree
This Christmas tree is great for those that love mid-century or simple Scandinavian decor.
How To Paint A Christmas Tree For Your Wall
Finally, you can always just paint a giant Christmas tree. If painted on a backboard it's easy to use pins to hang decorations.
If you like me and top your Christmas tree with a star, you might want to check out all these Christmas star craft ideas.
Check out these DIY cone tree ideas if you want small Christmas trees.
Check out my many cool Christmas crafting ideas for adults.
Pam
Wednesday 3rd of November 2021
These are such unique and clever ideas! I love this so much. Pinned!
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 4th of November 2021
Thank you so much, I love an alternative Christmas tree at Christmas.
Niki - Life as a LEO Wife
Friday 29th of October 2021
Cute ideas! Thanks for sharing on Happiness is Homemade at LifeasaLEOWife.com. Traffic Jam Weekend Link Party is now open, and we'd love to have to share there as well!
Niki - Life as a LEO Wife
Claire Armstrong
Friday 29th of October 2021
Thank you so much. I love an alternative Christmas tree.
Raquel
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
I love these ideas!
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Thank you so much, I do like an alternative Christmas tree.
Alexandra
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Love the village of cardboard box trees. I also really like the last one with the painted tree artwork. My home is so small. In years past, I've given up the table for the tree to sit on top of, but we no longer have the table, so now I'm wondering what I'll sit out 4 foot tree on top of. I really like these alternative ideas though for a small space.
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Thank you. Yes, the flat trees against the wall are a great idea for limited space. And if you pick the right one you can still hang your ornaments from them.