How to Make a Unique Cactus Christmas Tree That Turns Heads

Abbie M
by Abbie M
7 Materials
$60
2 Hours
Easy

Are you looking for ideas for a new Christmas tree that livens up your festive decorations and adds something special to them? With an artificial cactus Christmas tree, you will get a stunning focal point in your home this year. Today, I will show you how to make a wonderful, eye-catching tree using very little materials. You will soon have an unusual, delightful cactus Christmas tree to make Christmas even more exciting.

Tools and Materials

  • Pool noodles
  • Shipping tubes
  • Duct tape
  • Wire hangers
  • Christmas lights
  • Garland
  • Tree decorations
DIY Pool Noodle Cactus Christmas Tree

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You only need a few simple materials for this DIY project. I created my tree by recycling an old hanger, pool noodle, and shipping tubes I already had at home. These elements are all hidden from view in the final festive cactus tree, so as long as they are in good condition, it doesn’t matter what their colors are or what they look like. You can then add whatever decorations and lights you prefer to use. I decided to buy some new ones, to get the exact finished look I had in mind.

Gather Your Materials

Step 2: Cut the Hanger and Pool Noodle

My first step was to cut the hanger and remove the hook at the top. This let me flatten it out into a single, straight wire. I then cut the pool noodle into two pieces of the same size before snipping off the ends to make them easier to tape onto the tree later. The hanger will help keep the pool noodle in shape. You will need a wire cutter for the hanger, while a utility knife is fine for the noodle.

Cut the Pool Noodle

Step 3: Create the Base

The next stage is to create a solid base for your cactus shaped Christmas tree. I created it by taping over the drainage hole in the base of a plant pot. The first of the tubes goes in here. I taped up one end of this tube and filled it with stones to stabilize it before taping up the other end too. Place the tube in position, sitting upright in the pot, and pour stones around it so that it is firmly in place. 

Create the Base

Step 4: Build Your Cactus

I then started to build up the body of the cactus tree by adding more tubes on top of each other. I used duct tape to fix each tube into place, until I had six in total. After this, I taped the pieces of the noodle onto the sides of the tree, with one on each side facing upwards in the form of the branches of a cactus. Don’t forget to put the wire from the hanger inside the noodle for strength and stability before you attach it.

Build Your Cactus

Step 5: Wrap with Garland

Starting at the bottom, I wrapped my cactus Christmas tree in some festive garland, covering the whole tree including the pool noodle branches. You only need to use a glue gun to stick the garland to the tree at the top and the bottom, the other loose ends can be simply tucked into place once you reach them.

Wrap with Garland


Wrap with Garland

Step 6: Decorate!

It’s now time to add the finishing touch to this stylish tree. This is where you can have fun and bring your own personality to it. I started decorating the Christmas tree at the bottom with a set of lights and strung them all the way up to the top, covering the branches along the way too. Add your favorite baubles, stars, or whatever else puts you in the Christmas mood.

Decorate

By making this artificial cactus Christmas tree, you will get a unique, festive decoration that really makes your home stand out from the crowd. It is a project that anyone can carry out and there is a good chance that you already have some of the materials you need at home. You can make one or more cactus shaped Christmas trees to display in addition to your traditional tree. Why not, when making something extra special is so easy?

 

Are you thinking of making a cactus tree like this for Christmas? Let us know in the comments below.

DIY Christmas Cactus


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2 of 19 comments
  • Cricket Rose Cricket Rose on Nov 27, 2023

    Yes. Plan to. Might make several. I love it. I have big fabric cardboard rolls & pool noodles. I cut some pool noodle stars one year ( noodle was shaped)

  • Ani Ani on Dec 03, 2023

    Ohh myyy goshhh! Absolutely wonderful idea. I live in the desert for now, and will create this terrific cactus ! How ingenious of you.. thank you 🙏🏻 ♥️

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