Christmas in a Minute: Easy DIY Christmas Tree Trunk Cover

Now I know you may have been hoping for something a little more glamorous like how to get all of those Christmas decor totes to magically appear from being buried or how to cook a delicious Christmas meal complete with fruit cake or how to complete holiday shopping without spending a dime – all in a minute. That’d be awesome and magical! But those are more likely fairy tales because I tried snapping my fingers and wiggling my nose. And I got nothing except a sideways look from the dog. It didn’t work. So I came up with this tree trimming goody instead. ::cheers all around!::

Christmas in a Minute

This is just something simple and quick. Sometimes attention to detail – no matter how small – means so much to your artificial tree, especially this time of year. It is the season for giving. You weren’t about to forget bestowing love and affection on the focal point of your Christmas decorating, were you? How embarrassing!

Speaking of embarrassing…Nothing screams FAKE! like a Christmas tree with a hunter green metal pole, a little faux garland twisted around it and a patent label on display peeking out of the pretty tree skirt, below a beautifully decorated tree. And who wants screams at Christmas? Not me! You either? I thought not.artificial Christmas tree trunk

My artificial tree whispered that it was similar to displaying a big ole’ hairy leg while wearing a festive gown of lights and glitter topped with a tiara star. That won’t do! {Sorry for the visual!} Well, we’re all in luck! Because here’s a quick, cheap and easy fix. DIY artificial Christmas tree trunk tutorial at diyshowoff.com

Materials:

  • cardboard paper towel tube
  • brown craft paint(s) or hey, make yours candy-cane striped or rainbow bright!
  • foam paint brush & scissors

Tutorial (just in case you’re “stumped” – hahahahahahahahaha!)…

  1. Stop laughing because using scissors is serious business.
  2. Cut a straight line up one side of the cardboard tube.artificial Christmas tree trunk cover tutorial
  3. Paint it brown. I dipped my brush into a couple of different brown paints.DIY artificial tree trunk cover tutorial
  4. Let dry. I think mine took about 10 minutes. If you glopped on too much paint and it’s taking forever to dry, then wipe it down with a paper towel. Oh…you’re out since you have an empty paper towel tube? Try blowing on it. Just kidding. Clean up and put away your supplies. It should be dry in a few minutes and look like this:How to make an artificial Christmas tree trunk cover
  5. Optional: Get fancy and create the look of bark using a black Sharpie but just having a multi-brown tree trunk works for me. 
  6. Trim height of the cardboard tree trunk if need be (mine didn’t need it).
  7. Slip tube around the artificial tree trunk (cut side around back).DIY fake Christmas tree trunk cover tutorial

YOU DID IT! You just saved Christmas! Okay, that’s an exaggeration but your artificial tree might disagree. However – you did just recycle. Hurray for that! 

I know it’s only seen from across the room or right up under the tree (until the presents arrive) but with this quick little DIY, my tree feels ‘complete’. Now, my tree looks a little more polished, a little more dressed.

easy DIY artificial Christmas tree trunk tutorial at diyshowoff.com

Now, go light a pine scented candle, crank the Christmas tunes, pour a glass of eggnog and rock around the Christmas tree. 

DIY Christmas at DIYShowOff

For the record: skip the painting step and technically, it really is a minute project! So let’s start a trend and get those poles “SPRUCEd” up! hahahahaha! I couldn’t resist.

Also shown above:

Christmas in a Minute

It’s your lucky day! MORE Christmas in a Minute from these awesome blog friends {and more creative exciting ones at that!}.

Danielle’s beautiful Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Contest & Link Party.

Danielle's Christmas Tree

Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

I know it’s not even Halloween yet but I have had Christmas decorating on my mind early this year for many reasons. One of those reasons: I’m so excited to be participating in the 2nd annual Michaels Dream Tree Challenge! 

Last week, I took a moment to run into Michaels to browse the Christmas decor and craft selection for the challenge. First, there is no such thing as just running into Michaels. Is there? I’m always there way longer than intended – a DIY/crafter’s dream come true! Who would have thought the aisles would be stocked for the holidays so early? It seemed they were still working on it but there were so many glittery, beautiful, fun themes that it’s difficult to know where to start. Michaels Craft Store

Traditional red and green?red and green Christmas

A more natural vibe with burlap? Love the pinecone garlandsnatural Christmas

and how sweet is the printed burlap ribbon?burlap Christmas

Silver?silver Christmas

Country?country Christmas

Pastel?pastel Christmas

All white Christmas?white Christmas

Silver?silver Christmas

Fun, bright and colorful?Colorful Christmas

 

I’d say there’s something for everyone!

Christmas decorating is one of my favorite things about winter. I love it! Now, I’m not a fan of taking it all down, organizing it and putting it all away but when the days are short and cold, I can ignore my dislike for the winter season by getting my home all warm and festive. turquoise white Christmas tree

And festive it is. I decorate the dining room, living room, family room and sitting room. My most favorite holiday decoration: our Christmas tree! Make that plural. Do you decorate more than one tree? burlap natural Christmas tree

My tree decorating tradition has changed since my girls are no longer little and at home but I still love playing Christmas music even if it’s more of an event for one. And when it’s all done: hot cocoa, only tree lights glowing in the room and reflecting on the year’s blessings. Do you have a tree-trimming tradition?traditional Christmas tree

 Six Tips for Decorating a Christmas Tree

If you could decorate your tree any way with any theme, what would you choose? Come back November 1st to see my choice…it may be early but I’m going to be ready for that holiday home tour. 😉 

*Michaels provided me with a 7 ft lighted tree and gift card to participate in the Michaels Dream Tree Challenge. As always, the post above is in my own words and my own opinion. I’ll be sharing my decorated tree and a DIY ornament tutorial in the near future.  

  • Michaels has a HUGE selection of pre-lit artificial trees. 
  • Did you know each tree purchased at Michaels comes with a 5 year tree warranty and a 2 year warranty on the lights? Now you do!
  • Heads up: On November 3 through November 9, Michaels is hosting a special tree event.
  • Follow the hashtag #JustAddMichaels to see more!

Show Off your Christmas Tree contest!

Show Off your Christmas Tree Contest

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! I’ve just finished decorating 3. If you celebrate Christmas, more than likely you decorate an evergreen tree (real or artificial) with ornaments and lights. It’s a Christmas tradition in our home. Throughout the day, the Christmas tree stops me in my tracks. It’s a moment when I’m reminded to Rejoice! I’m celebrating the birth of my savior. When the days are short and evening arrives early, there’s just something happy about twinkly lights on a Christmas tree that lifts my spirits and warms my heart this time of year.  Christmas Tree Party and Contest I’m a “do what you love” decorator. Classic, modern, French country, rustic, vintage, farmhouse. See what I mean? Our old farmhouse doesn’t have an open floor plan, so rooms aren’t all the same theme and color. I love so many different styles and our home reflects my indecision…I mean: appreciation for a variety of decorating styles. Here is a look at the trees in the DIY Show Off home:

The family room Christmas tree is a white. I love how it glows and the fun bright colors are perfect for the eclectic vibe in this room.  Trimming the Christmas tree is such a fun part of the holidays!

colorful eclectic Christmas

Our traditional red and gold tree in our living room: DIYShowOff Christmas Tree

{tips for decorating your Christmas tree – can you tell lights are strung vertically? I create a faux root ball to give our 7.5′ tree another foot of height.}

A peek from traditional into bright and eclectic through the French doors…

traditional christmas living room

Our dining room tree is decorated with thrift store treasures, burlap ribbon browns, golds and a grapevine wreath star. Base is an old trunk and an old crate which give the tree some height {and charm}. vintage natural Christmas

{More dining room Christmas decorating details and Holiday Home Tour coming this week!}

and a little DIY tomato cage Christmas tree in the sitting room: DIY Tomato Cage Christmas tree

How to show off your Christmas tree: 

Share your Christmas tree photos and blog posts by linking up. Show it off in the party below by adding your picture and linking to your permalink blog post. I just ask that you link back to this post to help share the love. Here’s a convenient html code to add to your blog post:

Christmas Tree Contest
<div align="center"><a href="http://wp.me/p27VkY-1Ru" title="Christmas Tree Contest" target="_blank"><img src="https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Christmas-Tree-Party-button.jpg" alt="Christmas Tree Contest" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

Christmas tree with the most “likes” {you may want to share with your friends to “like” your tree!} wins $100 Visa gift card for some after-Christmas sales shopping or for a first DIY project of 2013.

Contest starts now and ends December 25th at midnight EST. Winner will be announced shortly after. In the event of a tie, another blog post will be written and DIY Show Off readers will choose the winning tree. DIY Show Off may choose the final winner if necessary. Non-bloggers may submit a photo to thediyshowoff@gmail.com with “Christmas Tree” in the subject line {DIY Show Off will link your photo and reply with your entry #}. Open to US and Canadian residents 18+ only.

Remember to “vote” by visiting some pretty thumbnail links and clicking “like”!

Christmas Tree Inspiration:




Facebook
DIY Show Off - FacebookDIY Show Off - TwitterDIY Show Off - PinterestDIY Show Off - FeedDIY Show Off - HomeTalkDIY Show Off - G+