I shared this idea for an alternative Christmas tree a few years ago but —with Christmas looming on the horizon — I thought I’d resurrect it!
Folk are always looking for creative new ways to decorate their homes (Pinterest is full of alternative Christmas decor) and this alternative Christmas tree is too good not to share.
Once Upon a Time
I had been chatting to a friend about Christmas and getting a bit over-excited about our annual tree buying day.
The fact we always have a fairly large, real tree; the tradition of decorating it. The scent of the pine needles.
And she said, much as she’d love to have a tree in their sitting room at Christmas — real or otherwise — they simply didn’t have the space for one.
Instead, they had a tiny fake tree that sat upon the window ledge.
She said they always made an effort to decorate the rest of the room but were sadly lacking in the tree department, due to floorspace being in short supply.
Which got me thinking about how we could create an alternative Christmas tree to fit her space.
What Is An Alternative Christmas Tree?
Now I’ve seen a fair few non traditional Christmas trees on Pinterest; there are fab ladder versions but they’d potentially take up as much (if not more) room as a regular tree.
I’ve seen lots of lovely wall-hanging trees too, made of twigs and twine.
But they’re a bit rustic for my friend’s taste. I really wanted to create something that would work in her contemporary styled home.
So my idea for an alternative Christmas tree is a little different.
It’s a wall mounted ‘tree’ made from ledges, that you can display your decorations on.
Really easy to make; just saw lengths of 4 x 2 timber (I used 4 although you could use more to create a huge ‘tree’ with loads of tiers).
To give you an idea, my top tier was 15cm long. The second was 30cm, the third 50cm and the fourth was 70cm.
I spaced each baton 15cm apart, horizontally, making sure they were nicely centred and level. Use a spirit level for this (there’s nothing worse than wonky shelves)!
Then I used contact strips to stick them to the wall.
Finally, I piled each ledge with as many spangly, pretty things that would fit.
Switch It Up
You could switch it up and paint the ledges a foresty green colour to look a little more like a real tree.
Or paint each ledge a different colour and have corresponding baubles; red baubles on a red ledge, blue on a blue ledge etc…
The possibilities are endless.
My friend’s house is fairly minimal and I thought a classic combination of white gold and silver would work really well in her home.
I quite like the ‘white on white’ shelf and wall combo; I love how the colour comes from the decorations themselves.
So that’s it.
My alternative Christmas tree.
A fabulous, space saving alternative to a traditional tree.
It’s a little unorthodox but perfect for small rooms or for people that want something a little different from the norm.
Print or Save the ‘Alternative Christmas tree’ for later…
Make An Alternative Christmas Tree
If space is at a premium, this idea for an alternative Christmas tree might be perfect for your Christmas home. All you need is a little bit of free wall-space.
Materials
- Lengths of 4 x 2 (100cm x 50cm) timber. I used 4 although you could use more to create a huge 'tree' with loads of tiers
- Heavy Duty Contact Strips — Command PH206
- Paint
- Christmas Tree Decorations
- Fairy Lights
Tools
- Saw — unless you buy pre-cut pieces of timber
- Pencil
- Spirit level
Instructions
- Saw lengths of 4 x 2 (100cm x 50cm) timber.
I used 4 pieces for my alternative Christmas tree, but you could use more to create a huge 'tree' with loads of tiers (if you have the wall-space).
My top tier was 15cm long. The second was 30cm, the third 50cm and the fourth was 70cm. - Space the batons on the wall at regular intervals; and mark where each one will go.
I spaced each of my batons at 15cm apart. - Use your contact strips to stick the batons, horizontally, to the wall (making note of the manufacturers instructions).
Make sure each baton is nicely centred and level.
Use a spirit level for this (there's nothing worse than wonky shelves). - Decorate your alternative Christmas tree with fairy lights and baubles.
Notes
You can paint the ledges any colour you like! A foresty green colour to look a little more like a real tree.
Or paint each ledge a different colour and have corresponding baubles; red baubles on a red ledge, blue on a blue ledge etc...
The possibilities are limitless.
Wow what a fab idea! It looks stunning. I love Homesense, you can always find beautiful things there. xx
#HomeEtc
Love this will be remembering it for next year, maybe for my hallway.
Absolutely beautiful and so so pretty :) You clever thing! Love the idea and how stunning for any home. Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks chickie!! Slightly inappropriate content for the second week in January but I was so desperate to share it!!! ;)
Caro, this is such a lovely idea and could probably be used all year round … Valentine’s decorations, Easter eggs … it’s so sweet.
Yep — definitely! They’re essentially just makeshift picture ledges — you could display anything!
Aw this is so so pretty, very creative! I miss Christmas already, all those sparkly lights :D
#HomeEtc
Thanks so much lovely — me too — I’ve kept a few strings of fairy lights up!! ;)
That is just gorgeous Caro. So effective, you are very creative. Great pictures too! Your friend must have been delighted #HomeEtc
Thanks so much Nicky — it was so easy to make; the hardest thing was balancing the decorations on the ledges!!
That is amazing! I remember seeing this on insta and being wowed by it! Such a great idea and i’ll be tempted to try this next year, if I’m allowed by he who holds the drill bits! #homeetc
It was so easy to make Pamela! Our B&Q offers a wood-cutting service, if your husband won’t cut the 4×2 for you!! ;)
Loved HomeSense Christmas range. This is a lovely idea, one to save for the future. Thanks.
Thanks Gemma! xx
Wow what a unique idea Caro! Really effective and I bet it doesn’t leave quite as many pine needles lying about the place!! Keira #HomeEtc
Haha!! DEFINITELY not as many needles!! ;)
Oh I LOVE this. Such a imple idea but can work for anyone’s tastes. Love your gold version though. Only 11 months until next Christmas haha!
Thanks lovely!! I know!! Haha!! It wasn’t the most topical of posts — given that Christmas is over — but I was so sad not to be able to share it last year!!! LOL!! I like to think I’m early for next Christmas, rather than being late for last!! ;)
Brilliant – no excuse for not having a tree for anyone. And so stylish too – love it. Thanks for hosting #homeetc
Exactly!!! She was chuffed to bits!! Plus you can make them as big as you like!! :)
Such a great idea and I love the white on white theme :)
Thanks so much Laura! Happy new year!! x
I love this idea! I have such a small flat and some years I think I should do something a little different for Christmas. The metal train is the cutest decoration ever!
After a break away from Linky Parties and blogging its great to be back on the #HomeEtc bandwagon!
Nancy
Happy (a little bit belated) new year Nancy!! I hope it’s a good one :)
Love this idea! Clever you! It would work well with picture ledges too. x ´#HomeEtc
YES! I was looking for picture ledges to begin with but couldn’t find any exactly the size I wanted! Making my own from 2×4 was the result!! :)
Such an effective idea. I’ve never seen anything like that before but it works so well against the white walls. #HOMEETC
I love your wall mounted Christmas tree – I guess the trick is narrow shelves. We have a couple, of floating shelves at home which seem to float out and down, which is a bit disconcerting …
Happy New Year,
Julie
Thanks so much Julie!
This is gorgeous, I love alternative Xmas trees and think next year we will have one somehwere in the house. xx
Aaah thanks pet — I’m so pleased with it!! I’ve seen lots of alternative trees but was trying to create something that would work for my friend. I love the shelf idea :) xx
Gorgeous! What a novel idea!
Merry Christmas Caro x