Cut out Christmas trees- what can I use?

Question

I’m making these cut out trees for my church for the Christmas season(on a larger scale). We are not a mega church, therefore my budget is small. Cardboard has proven to not hold up to the rigors of the season for us, but plywood sheets get speedy. Can anyone think of a material that would work AND be less expensive than plywood?

Trisha · Answer

Foam core boards.. but not sure if that would be cost-effective either. Have you tried using furniture or appliance boxes? Those things are sometimes very, very thick and sturdy.

E s desanna · Answer

You could use 1/2' foamcore. It will cut cleanly with a utility knife; change the blade as soon as it starts to dull. Mail order art suppliers have a variety. If you can't find large enough sheets, perhaps rigid insulation board would work.

Kauai Breeze · Answer

Sheets of styrofoam or compressed hardboard. If anyone plans on removing old wooden paneling that would be good too. If you aren't too hard on it, sheetrock would work and it's easy to paint.

William · Answer

Foam board from Dollar Tree.

Rhonda · Answer

I was thinking scrap wood or some cheap hard wood.

Jason · Answer

Corrugated Plastic - White - 8 mm

Chubby58 · Answer

Foam board should work fine.

Donna Lee Scott Thomas · Answer

Although you said that cardboard won’t hold up, Rustoleum has a product called NeverWet available at Home Depot. You could collect pizza box tops from the congregation, cut them into separate boughs (or have them cut them!), and stack them like shingles. The added thickness would make the cardboard sturdier. Then, painting with home exterior paint, and using NeverWet should work well to protect your tree from the elements. Or maybe you could protect it by covering with Saran Wrap, which could make it look like your tree has been in an ice storm! Just brainstorming. Good luck!

Cyn13875733 · Answer

You can purchase something like this- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Utility-Panel-Common-1-8-In-x-4-Ft-x-8-Ft-Actual-0-106-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-833096/100535208

Very lightweight, but much stronger than cardboard.

What about doing some in melamine for the kiddos? They could 'decorate' the trees with Wet/dry erase markers. They could be erased and used again year after year?

I love these trees and am considering making some myself. Have cats now, and traditional trees just aren't practical! :)

Lauren. · Answer

Home depot has styrofoam sheets in a few thicknesses and about $20 to$30 a sheet. ( Loews carries too but more expensive) the sheets are 6 ft. Long and can be cut with box/razor knife or serrated blade knife. Beautiful idea. I hope you all enjoy. You can maybe get more than 1 tree per sheet depending on size and style and how you lay out your patterns.

Lauren. · Answer

You can use an awl or slim screw driver or ice pick to poke holes in styrofoam to add lights (battery operated or if you have power source string lights from back of trees) this is best on thicker styrofoam not real thin. IF YOU'RE REALLY PATIENT/CRAFTY you can 'whittle' layer fron back and place light Inside to give a snow covered look.

Lisa S. · Answer

Have you thought about asking for old artificial; Christmas trees and spray painting them. People are always are looking for ways to get rid of them.

Flipturn · Answer

For the smaller size trees, you could use plastic corrugated board real estate signs, the reverse side. For larger trees, just duck tape two signs together. The reverse sides are almost always solid white, and offices usually have spare or disused ones that they should be willing to donate to a church project.

Margaret Scotland · Answer

Maybe some old doors could be re-purposed.

Jacquelinn Kai · Answer

Check the lumber isle at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s I found a rather sturdy btown board. It’s thin, flexible without snapping and can be cut like lumber without falling apart. I remember it as being a type of paneling and fairly affordable.

Lynnette Bowden · Answer

MDF and OSB boards are both cost effective sturdy options too

Tracy Ohls-Foote · Answer

Card board can be sturdy if you glue 2 larger sheet together .. my sons science class made a chair their teacher could seat in :)

SandyG · Answer

Insulation foam sheets, 4x8- 1/2 inch thick. In my area they cost around $7.00 a sheet.

Geeswonderland · Answer

Paneling.. it's cheap and thin!!

Lynnette Bowden · Answer

u can use any enamel Based spray paint or if you prefer brush on just make sure you use enamel. You can also grab a quart of the dri-loc waterproofing used on basement/foundation walls

Dianna Hamilton · Answer

Maybe even asking the store you are buying your supplies from, if they could donate or give a discount on project for your local church.

Rus23465458 · Answer

Find your nearest Habit for Humanity ReSale shop. That’s my new favorite place to find lots of materials!

Holly Lengner - Lost Mom · Answer

Try foam board. They sell some at Dollar General.

Kim |Exquisitely Unremarkable · Answer

I would use a very thin plywood. It's less expensive but it has the strength and will stand up to the weather. Paneling sheets are another option. Foam board is not going to stand up to the elements if you put them outside.

Cut out Christmas trees- what can I use?

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