Unconventional Christmas Trees

Alicia W
by Alicia W
9 Materials
$20
4 Hours
Easy

Everyone knows what a Christmas tree looks like but sometimes you want something a little different. Below are three Christmas trees that are anything but conventional.

And if you are looking for other fun Christmas DIY projects, then check out this fun page on Christmas decorations ideas, where you'll find tons of fun and easy to do Christmas projects!

Our first tree is for those who love to recycle and reuse. You will need only two items for this project: newspaper and chickenwire.

1: Begin by making the newspaper cones:

A-Begin with a full sheet of newspaper. Cut in half so you have a single sheet.

B-Fold the paper in half and cut into two pieces

C-Fold in half again and cut into two pieces. You should have 8-6”x6” squares.

D-Turn one square 45 degrees to a diamond shape.

E-Roll into a cone with one point at the end.

F-Apply hot glue to one long edge

G-Completely roll the cone to close.

You will need to make enough cones to cover the tree.

2: Now for the chickenwire tree.

A: Cut a length of chickenwire approximately 30”; however, you can cut any length you want depending on the size of your tree.

B: Roll the piece of chickenwire into a cylinder

C: Bend the ends of the wire together to close

D: Beginning at the top of the cylinder, cut 3/4 down. Cut 4 even sections.

E: Join two sections from opposite side together at the top.

F: Join the other two sections together at the top. Cut chickenwire away from the top if it gets too bulky.

G: Form into the shape of a tree



3: Construct the tree

A-Beginning at the bottom of the tree, weave a cone under and over the wire.

B-Add a drop of glue onto the tip of the cone

C-Bend the tip over the wire and attach

D-Once you have the entire tree cover, if you need to add additional cones to make the tree fuller, simply glue a cone inside another cone extending the second cone out.

4: Place a tree branch into a container and place the chickenwire form on top of the branch. Add a star and your tree is ready to be displayed.

Our second tree will be a floating ornament tree.

A: You will need a mesh splatter screen with the handle removed, fishing line, small beads and ball ornaments.

B: Begin by making the platform from which the balls will hang. Thread a length of fishing line, approximately 3’, through the mesh along the edge of the screen.

C: Knot a bead onto one end of the line.

D: You will add four of these lines and beads to the screen

E: With the beads facing down, tie a knot in the end of the lines and hang from the ceiling using a command hook.

Now we’ll make the tree.

1: Knot a bead onto one end of a length of fishing line.

2: Thread the line through the screen.

Determine how high you want the ornaments to hang.

3: Tie the ornament to the end of the line.

4: Continue to add ornaments until your tree is the size and shape you want.

This is a great idea if you have a small space that won’t accommodate a “real” tree.

Our third tree is made from a tomato cage.

For this tree you will need, a tomato cage, one zip tie, paddle wire (any gauge) and strings of lights.

1: Turn the tomato cage upside down and ziptie the “legs” together to form a point.

2: Attach paddle wire to the top point.

3: Place the wire from the top to the bottom of the cage. Come back up to the top and continue to add the wire up and down the length of the cage until the entire cage is co

4: Starting at the top point, begin to add wire to the cage going from top to bottom and back up to the top. When you reach the middle supports, wind the wire around to keep it in place.

Continue to add wire until the entire cage is covered.

5: Add lights, stringing them up, down and around the cage.

I used small lights as well as a larger light.

In total I used 400 small lights and 200 larger lights. They are also LED so this tree is very bright!


Check out some more cute DIY projects!

Suggested materials:
  • Newspaper   (Recycled)
  • Chicken wire   (Lowe’s)
  • Splatter screen   (Dollar Store)
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 5 questions
  • Barbara Zorzin Barbara Zorzin on Nov 26, 2017

    What does the top (round screen) look like on the green ornament tree? It does not show in the photograph.

  • Mum Vickery Mum Vickery on Nov 26, 2017

    hanging tree: Does the weight of the ornaments/beads not pull down on the mesh, giving it a sagging look?

  • Sararey Sararey on Nov 26, 2017

    Totally confused about the splatter screen top. I love the look of the picture but doesn’t show the very top. Is there a more detailed directive?

    Thank you.

Comments
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3 of 43 comments
  • Christine Christine on Dec 02, 2018

    Another Christmas tree idea with a tomato cages, is to wrap prelit garland around it and put a tree topper at the top, well, in this case it is the bottom part of the cage. I then placed the tomato cages on a plastic flower pot, and around the edges of ctree/planter, I placed artificial pointecetas for a classier look.

  • Jennifer Jennifer on Jan 19, 2023

    I can’t wait to try the hanging Christmas tree made of just the ornaments and fishing line. I’ve been doing the tomato cage trees for a while and love them. I also wrap mine and garland and various other things as you can see in the pictures.

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