Cat Proof Crate Christmas Tree

Kaete Nazaroff
by Kaete Nazaroff
7 Materials
Our family has four cats who last year practically destroyed our traditional Christmas Tree and ornaments. This year I wanted to create something they couldn't ruin, and actually might enjoy climbing in!
I first went to Michaels and created a "tree" with 11 large unfinished crates and twin smaller ones on top. I used 5 for the base, 4 for the second layer, 2 for the third tier, and the two smaller ones on top. I found a coupon online so it wasn't as pricy as I thought it would be.
I then set up all the crates outside and spray painted them with a 2&1 primer and paint spray in hunter green.
Once dry I brought the crates inside and arranged my "Tree" on our traditional tree skirt to protect our floors. My husband screwed the crates together with decorative matte brass screws here and there...we want to be able to take it down after the holidays but not have the cats topple it in the meantime. I then added faux poinsettias that I also bought in bunches from Michaels and cut into individual branches.
Finally I added faux pine branches, lights wrapped around from top to bottom, and added our nutcracker collection to the tree. I also hung shatterproof Christmas ornaments on red tartan plaid ribbon in each box, and topped it with a rustic wooden star from Target.
Resources for this project:
See all materials
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 18 questions
  • Lit15598460 Lit15598460 on Dec 17, 2019

    how many crates did you use?

  • Cob49572389 Cob49572389 on Sep 12, 2020

    Where did you put the screws? Was it sturdy enough for cats to jump on?

  • Jjqq Jjqq on Dec 13, 2020

    I wanted to do this - but don’t want to paint as the cats love to chew wood. Also the wood has splinters even after sanded - any suggestions to seal the wood safely?

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 208 comments
  • Cso51108026 Cso51108026 on Oct 01, 2022

    This is BRILLIANT!!! I LOVE Christmas trees, but I'm allergic, so I never get one - and I just hate the look of the "faux" trees!!! This is reminiscent of a tree without pretending to be a tree and we, too, have a nutcracker collection - again, BRILLIANT!!! Thanks for the great idea, and if you could mention how you screwed these together, that'd be wonderful!! ~Chrissie O.

  • Hattie McIlvaine Hattie McIlvaine on Oct 16, 2023

    My 2 kittens would have those Nutcrackers on the floor before you could say "scat"! If it's not fastened down or behind a "fence" they'll consider it fair game! Not sure how I can even put up a tree, much less, put decorations on it or elsewhere in the house!

Next