3 Budget-Friendly Ways to Create DIY Christmas Tree Collars
Christmas decorations shouldn't blow your holiday budget. Fortunately, these clever DIY tree collar hacks will dress up your Christmas tree for less. Take the classic route with a galvanized tree collar made from an inexpensive metal bucket or get more creative with a wicker tree collar made from a woven basket. Or turn a cardboard box lying around your house into a holiday Christmas tree collar with adhesive wallpaper or shelf liner. We'll show you just how easy it is to create your own handmade tree collar. All three simple DIY tree collars will give your Christmas tree a festive finishing touch.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Collar
Supplies Needed
Galvanized Tree Collar
Galvanized metal bucket
Tape measure
Safety glasses
Construction gloves
Jigsaw
Metal file
Tack cloth
Woven Basket Tree Collar
Woven basket
Tape measure
Box cutter
Faux Wood Crate Tree Collar
Cardboard box
Tape measure
Box cutter
Cutting mat
Ruler or tape measure
Pencil
Wood-look shelf liner or adhesive wallpaper
Crafts knife
Step-by-Step Directions
Follow these simple how-to instructions to make your own DIY Christmas tree collar. All three holiday tree collar projects can be completed in less than half an hour.
Galvanized Christmas Tree Collar
Step 1: Measure Tree Stand
Measure the base of your tree stand. Make sure you use a metal bucket with a base that's bigger than the widest part of your tree stand. This will ensure that the bucket will fit over the tree stand when flipped over.
Step 2: Drill Hole
Put on construction gloves and safety glasses. Flip over the bucket (we like this 17 Gal. Galvanized Utility Tub, $23, The Home Depot) so that the bottom is facing up. Drill a starter hole with a bit that can go through metal.
Step 3: Cut Perimeter
Continue to wear safety glasses and construction gloves to protect your eyes and hands for this step. Use a jigsaw to cut around the perimeter of the bottom of the bucket. Remove the bottom.
Related: Christmas Tree Skirt Ideas
Step 4: Smooth Edges
The edge of the perimeter will be rough, so you'll need to smooth it out. Be sure to keep your goggles and construction gloves on. Smooth the edges of the metal Christmas tree collar with a metal file and wipe clean with a tack cloth.
Wicker Tree Collar
Step 1: Measure Tree Stand
Measure the diameter of your tree stand to make sure you get a basket with a base that's a few inches wider. Measure the height of your tree stand as well to confirm that the basket is deep enough.
Related: Make a Round Christmas Tree Basket Collar
Step 2: Cut and Remove Bottom
Flip your basket over so the bottom is facing upward. Using a box cutter, cut around the perimeter of the basket. Once all sides of the wicker tree collar have been cut, remove the bottom. If there are a few metal braces, you can leave them in place.
Faux Wood Crate Tree Collar
Step 1: Measure Tree Stand
Get the look of a wooden Christmas tree collar! Measure the diameter of your tree stand to make sure you get a cardboard box that's big enough to fit around it. Also, measure the height of your tree stand to make sure the box is deep enough.
Step 2: Cut Box
Using a box cutter, cut the top off your cardboard box, if it has one. Next, cut and remove the bottom. You should now have a box that's open on both the top and bottom.
Step 3: Measure and Cut Liner
Use a tape measure ($3, The Home Depot) or ruler to measure wood-look shelf liner (we recommend this Natural Oak Shelf Liner, $9, Lowe's) or adhesive wallpaper so that it will cover all four sides of your box. Mark your measurements with a pencil on the backside of the liner. Use a crafts knife to make straight cuts following your marks.
Step 4: Attach Liner to Box
Remove the backing on your shelf liner or adhesive wallpaper. Wrap your box, being careful not to create air bubbles. Cut out handles if needed to finish your Christmas tree box collar.
