Welcome back, craft enthusiasts and holiday decorators! We are absolutely thrilled to present Day 5 of our much-anticipated “12 Days of Christmas” crafting series. As the festive season approaches, many of us dream of unique, personalized decorations that don’t break the bank or require a professional workshop. Today, we’re unveiling a project that ticks all those boxes and more: an incredibly charming, surprisingly simple, and brilliantly collapsible Wooden Ornament Tree.
For this special fifth day, I embarked on creating a DIY Wooden Ornament Tree that boasts one of its most desirable features: it’s completely COLLAPSIBLE! Anyone who has ever faced the daunting task of packing away holiday decorations knows the struggle of bulky items taking up precious storage space. That’s precisely why I envisioned a design that could be easily disassembled and tucked away, making post-Christmas cleanup a breeze. Imagine the relief come January, knowing your beautiful display tree can shrink down to a manageable size, ready to be stored neatly until next year’s festivities.
And here’s the best part that will truly make you smile: this entire project cost me only $10 to build! Yes, you read that right. In just a few hours and with minimal investment, you can create a stunning, unique, and practical piece of holiday decor that will be the envy of all your guests. It’s an ideal project for beginners in woodworking, or anyone looking for a quick and rewarding craft. Let’s dive into how you can make your very own budget-friendly, space-saving Christmas tree.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before we begin, let’s gather our supplies. One of the many beauties of this project is its simplicity, requiring only a few basic tools and readily available materials. You’ll be surprised at how easily these components come together to form such an elegant holiday centerpiece. Make sure to double-check your measurements and have everything on hand for a smooth crafting experience.
While power tools can speed things up, this project is perfectly achievable with a simple hand saw, making it accessible even if your tool collection is modest. If you’re new to DIY, investing in a basic hand saw for around $10 is an excellent starting point and a versatile addition to your toolkit for future projects.
Materials List:
- 3 round wooden dowels (commonly available at Home Depot or any hardware store. We recommend 1/2-inch diameter for good stability and easy fitting into the drilled holes).
- One 2×2 wooden board (this will form the central ‘trunk’ of your tree, also found at Home Depot).
- One scrap piece of 1×8 wooden board, approximately 7.25 inches long (for the base of the tree. If you don’t have a scrap, a small piece can be purchased cheaply).
- One wood finial (to top off your tree elegantly, available at Lowe’s or other craft/hardware stores).
- Wood screw (to attach the base and trunk).
- Spray paint (we chose Rust-oleum Heirloom White for a classic look, but feel free to customize!).
Tools List:
- Hand saw or miter saw (for cutting dowels and boards).
- Drill.
- 1/2-inch drill bit (essential for creating the perfect holes for your dowels).
- Measuring tape or ruler.
- Pencil.
- Safety glasses (always recommended when working with tools).
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Collapsible Ornament Tree
This project is designed to be straightforward and enjoyable. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have a beautiful, handmade ornament tree in no time. Remember, precision in measuring and drilling is key to ensuring your tree assembles and disassembles perfectly.
Step 1: Prepare Your Dowels
Take your three round dowels and cut them down to varying lengths. The exact measurements will depend on how tall and wide you want your tree, but a good starting point for a tabletop tree might be lengths ranging from approximately 6 inches up to 24 inches. The key is to create a gradual decrease in length to mimic the conical shape of a traditional Christmas tree when assembled. Aim for at least 10-12 different lengths, or more if you desire a fuller tree. For instance, you could cut pieces at 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″, 18″, 20″, 22″, 24″. You can always adjust these to your preference, ensuring you have an even number of branches for each side.
Step 2: Prepare the Tree Trunk (2×2 Board)
Next, take your 2×2 wooden board. This will serve as the central trunk of your ornament tree. Cut it down to your desired height. For a tree that complements a dining table, a height of around 24 to 30 inches works wonderfully. Ensure your cuts are clean and straight to provide a stable foundation for the branches.
Step 3: Prepare for Drilling
For the next crucial step, you will need a 1/2-inch drill bit. This specific size is vital to ensure that your dowels fit snugly into the holes without being too loose or too tight. A snug fit is what allows the tree to be collapsible without requiring glue for assembly, making storage incredibly convenient.
Step 4: Drill Holes for Dowels on the First Side
Carefully mark the measurements on one side of your 2×2 trunk. These marks indicate where each dowel will be inserted, forming the branches of your tree. Begin drilling holes at these marked measurements. A helpful tip for maintaining symmetry and a clean appearance is to draw a straight line down the center of the board beforehand. This guideline ensures all your holes are perfectly aligned in the middle, creating a balanced and aesthetically pleasing tree structure. Drill deep enough for the dowels to hold securely, but not all the way through.
Step 5: Drill Holes on the Second Side
Once you’ve completed drilling holes on the first side, rotate the 2×2 board exactly 90 degrees to the right. Now, mark and drill another set of holes at the specified measurements on this new side. The goal is to create a staggered pattern, so the dowels from the second side don’t conflict with those on the first, allowing your tree to have branches extending in four directions when fully assembled. Again, use a center line to ensure alignment.
Step 6: Prepare the Tree Base
Retrieve your scrap 1×8 piece of wood and cut it to 7.25 inches. This piece will form the sturdy base of your ornament tree, providing stability and support. If you don’t have a scrap piece handy, a small section of a 1×8 board can be easily purchased from any local hardware store. Its wider dimension compared to the 2×2 trunk ensures a firm stance for your finished tree.
Step 7: Drill the Base Hole
Carefully locate the exact center of your 1×8 base piece. Using your drill, create a pilot hole in this center point. This hole will be used to attach the 2×2 trunk, so ensure it’s straight and appropriately sized for your wood screw.
Step 8: Drill the Trunk Base Hole
Now, take your 2×2 wooden trunk and find the center of one of its ends (this will be the bottom of your tree). Drill a corresponding pilot hole here. This hole, along with the one in the base, will allow you to securely connect the two pieces, creating a stable and upright structure for your ornament tree.
Step 9: Attach the Base and Trunk
Align the pilot holes on the 1×8 base and the 2×2 trunk. Using a wood screw, firmly attach the base to the trunk by driving the screw through the bottom of the 1×8 and into the 2×2. This connection forms the solid foundation of your ornament tree, ensuring it stands securely. The ability to unscrew this connection later is what makes the tree wonderfully collapsible for storage.
Step 10: Prepare for the Finial
To give your ornament tree a polished, finished look, you’ll want to add a finial to the top. Drill another hole precisely at the very top center of your 2×2 trunk. This hole should be appropriately sized to accommodate the threaded base of your chosen wood finial, ensuring a secure attachment.
Step 11: Attach the Wood Finial
Purchase a decorative wood finial from a craft store or hardware store like Lowe’s. These come in various styles, so choose one that complements your aesthetic. Carefully screw the finial into the hole you just drilled at the top of the 2×2. The finial not only adds a decorative flourish but also serves as the final cap for your tree, completing its elegant silhouette.
Step 12: Paint Your Tree
Now for the fun part – bringing your tree to life with color! I chose to paint my entire tree, including the trunk, base, and dowels, with a beloved shade: Rust-oleum Heirloom White spray paint. This classic, soft white provides a beautiful, subtle backdrop that allows your ornaments to truly pop. However, feel free to get creative! Consider a rustic red, a deep forest green, a shimmering gold, or even a distressed metallic finish to match your specific holiday decor theme.
Step 13: Spray Paint the Dowels (Assembled)
To ensure even coverage and an easier painting process, I found it most efficient to temporarily insert the dowels into the tree trunk before spray painting. This allows you to paint them in position, minimizing drips and ensuring all visible surfaces are coated. A crucial tip for achieving the classic Christmas tree shape: place the longest dowels at the bottom of the trunk and gradually decrease the length as you move towards the top. This arrangement creates the familiar conical silhouette. Once painted and thoroughly dry, you can remove the dowels, and your tree is ready for decoration!
The Finished Collapsible Wooden Ornament Tree
And there you have it! Your very own DIY Collapsible Wooden Ornament Tree is complete. The beauty of this design lies in its elegant simplicity and ingenious functionality. We intentionally avoided using any glue on the dowels, meaning each branch simply slides into its designated hole. This design, combined with the screw-in base and finial, allows for quick and effortless disassembly. When the holidays are over, simply unscrew the finial and the base, remove the dowels, and stack all the pieces flat for incredibly easy, space-saving storage. No more wrestling with bulky, oddly shaped decorations!
I finished off my tree with a selection of simple, medium-sized silver ornaments, creating a chic and understated display. Currently, it graces my dining table, serving as a captivating centerpiece that invites conversation. However, the versatility of this piece is truly remarkable. Its clean lines and compact footprint mean it would look fantastic in virtually any room of your house. Imagine it adorning a mantelpiece, brightening an entryway table, adding festive cheer to a small apartment, or even bringing holiday spirit to an office desk. Its minimalist design also makes it a perfect complement to various decor styles, from modern and Scandinavian to rustic farmhouse or traditional.
I absolutely adore simple and affordable projects that deliver stunning results. If you have just a couple of hours to spare, a budget of around $10 for materials, and access to a drill, you too can create this charming and functional Wooden Ornament Tree! It’s an incredibly easy and rewarding DIY that brings personalized festive flair to your home without the usual holiday expense or storage headaches. Get ready to impress your friends and family with your crafting prowess!
Thank you so much for joining us for this festive DIY journey. We hope you’re feeling inspired to create your own holiday magic!
We would absolutely love for you to share this project with your friends and, of course, PIN it to your favorite holiday boards!
As part of our exciting “12 Days Of Christmas” series, we’ve teamed up with some truly fabulous bloggers to bring you a treasure trove of holiday inspiration and ideas. Don’t forget to explore all their amazing projects and keep an eye out for today’s special giveaway!
About the Shanty Sisters: Budget-Friendly DIY Enthusiasts
We are two sisters with a shared passion for transforming our homes into beautiful, functional spaces—all on a budget! Between the two of us, we’re juggling the delightful chaos of raising eight wonderful children. This means every naptime, every spare moment, is put to good use, often with a saw or paintbrush in hand. Our mission is to inspire and empower fellow DIY enthusiasts to create stunning pieces without breaking the bank, proving that handmade doesn’t have to mean expensive.
From ambitious building projects like this incredible Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Dining Table, built for an astonishing $125,
and this charming $65 farmhouse table that adds rustic elegance to any dining space…
To ingeniously transforming everyday items, such as crafting this stunning $15 mirror, ingeniously made from a simple Walmart mirror, proving that luxury can be achieved on a dime…
And even generously offering free resources like our latest free printable whole alphabet banner, perfect for adding personalized touches to parties, nurseries, or any room!
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