18 Cool Traditional Christmas Tree Alternatives
Updated: Dec. 02, 2022There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays without the sap, falling needles, and all that mess.
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Out-of-the-box Christmas tree alternatives
There’s something special about decorating a Christmas tree, but it doesn’t need to look the same every year. In fact, there are plenty of creative and fun options instead of real or plastic green trees. Click on for some inspiring alternatives to your average green Christmas tree.
Rustic wood tree
This rustic tree is made from reclaimed wood for a one-of-a-kind design that can be used in the corner of the living room or on a tabletop, depending on how big you make it. And find some wood and grab a saw, hammer, and nails to create these primitive Christmas tree alternatives.
Book trees
Is there a book lover in your home? This book tree works well in a small space decorated with a strand of mini Christmas lights.
Succulent tree
Give your succulents some holiday cheer this year. Hang light-weight ornaments on the leaves and bunch up some lights around the base of the plant to give it some shine.
Craft project tree
Kids can help create alternative Christmas trees with simple craft supplies such as felt, ribbon, and glue. And when finished, hang some of your favorite little ornaments from the “branches.” No matter how you decorate your tree, this is what your Christmas tree wishes you knew.
Reclaimed wood tree
Pinterest has lots of ideas for using reclaimed wood to build alternative Christmas trees. And once completed, add some paint or stain and wrap a strand of lights around the finished project.
Deconstructed sign tree
If you have a bunch of old Christmas or holiday signs laying around clean them up and create a fun alternative Christmas tree. Cut off the rope or hooks on the back and arrange them from longest to shortest with a star on top. It’s a new way to display all of your signs. Here are some fun DIY Christmas decorations that anyone can make.
Decorated branch tree
Christmas decorating doesn’t get much easier than this. Go outside and find a branch (or you could purchase a plastic one from a craft store), place it in a vase or pot, or hang it from the ceiling or a chandelier and decorate it with your favorite ornaments. This would work great as a centerpiece or atop a living room table. Your holiday decor doesn’t have to be expensive.
Ornament pattern tree
Have some fun with mini ornament bulbs by hot-gluing them together in a unique pattern. Display them inside a wooden tree to get the full tree look. If you want to be a little more creative, you can skip the wooden frame and create a unique tree shape using just ornaments of different colors and sizes.
Christmas tree art
If you have a fireplace and no room for a traditional tree, try decorating the mantel with some DIY tree art. Use Washi tape to form a simple zigzag and decorate with ribbon or strips of fabric taped to the wall. This type of tree could even go above your mantel.
Wine cork tree
For the wine drinker, try using all those corks to create DIY alternative Christmas trees. And there are several ideas on Pinterest to provide inspiration. This is the history of your favorite Christmas traditions.
Ladder tree
An eye-catching ladder tree spotted on Pinterest may not save any space, but it is certainly a new take on a traditional Christmas tree. Try decorating with sparkly ornaments, some strands of lights, and a star or angel on top.
Sticky note tree
This alternative Christmas tree is perfect for little kids. Finally, they’ll have the opportunity to use as many sticky notes as they want. Buy a few different colors and create the outline of a tree. Then, have the little ones help to add the presents and fill in the tree. Build it on the fridge, wall, or kitchen cabinets. Check out these vintage Christmas decorations.
Plywood tree
This tree is made from sheets of birch plywood with stars cut out for modern Christmas tree alternatives. Search for “plywood Christmas tree patterns” online for dozens of additional options—even ones celebrating the New Year, too. And a scroll saw works best for cutting the large pieces of plywood for a tree this size.
Felt tree
This felt tree is a great project to get kids started in DIY. And not only do these types of Christmas tree alternatives work great in small spaces, but they also work in a child’s bedroom. Making your own tree is one of the holiday traditions that everyone should start.
Chalkboard tree
If you have a chalkboard painted wall, why not draw a tree on it during the holiday season? You can also use a small chalkboard to draw a Christmas tree and hang it in the living room. This is a modern take on a Christmas tree. It’s a stark difference from what Christmas used to look like 100 years ago.
Nature tree
The next time you go for a walk in the woods, pick up a few sticks of varying sizes. Once you’ve collected enough and cleaned them up arrange them in the shape of a tree on a cloth or poster board so you can easily hang the tree up on the wall. Add in ornaments or string lights and a star on top.
Mobile tree
This alternative Christmas tree might require some power tools, but the end result will be something to display around the holidays for years to come. Pick up varying sizes of circle-shaped wood from your local hardware store. Then, drill holes around the wood to put the string through to hold the tree together. Attach ornaments, trinkets, and lights, and then hang it from the ceiling for a beautiful floating tree.
Pebble tree
This tree uses items found at the beach for a unique take on Christmas tree alternatives. So get your hot glue gun out and try using pebbles, starfish, driftwood, pine cones, and other beach finds to recreate this look. Next, check out the best Christmas town in every state.
