32 Unique and Creative Alternatives to a Traditional Christmas Tree

Go for a different kind of evergreen by decking out a cactus with all the bells and whistles. (The best part is it can be part of your decor long after the holidays are over!)

Photo and idea from Hey Wanderer.

All you need is some pretty paper to create a festive mini tree (or a whole mini forest!) that’ll brighten up a mantel or the center of your table. You can get the full instructions at Gathering Beauty.

Forget the tree and just showcase the ornaments with this clever Christmas tree alternative. Ornaments are hung on cup hooks attached to a painted piece of plywood, which is framed to give it the full masterpiece effect.

Photo and idea from Shabbyfufu.

This craft is the perfect addition to a cozy Christmas display—and can even be made with scraps of felt or yarn from other projects. On a cardboard cone form, glue thin strips of yarn or felt into spiral patterns, then highlight the tree by gluing on beads or even just inserting pins with ornament-like tops. Wrap a small cylinder in brown felt to create the trunk, or just have the tree shape on its own for a more modern look.

Looking for an eco-friendly reuse and recycle option? Cut cardboard boxes into tree shapes and connect them through a center slit, then adorn them with lights.

Pro tip: You can make use of shipping boxes by adding a quick coat of paint to cover any logos, and poke holes at the ends of each “branch” if you want to add ornaments to your tree.

Photo and idea from Lovely Indeed.

We all know kraft paper is a stylish and more eco-friendly holiday gift wrap option—but did you know that it also makes a gorgeous tree? The lights are strung on the inside, and punched holes in the paper allow them to twinkle through.

If you want a more colorful option, use markers and crayons (or set kids to the task) to brighten up your space.

Photo and idea from Lia Griffith.

This alternative Christmas tree hangs from the ceiling, making it an ideal way to showcase ornaments and keep them away from pesky pets or curious kids. Use rings of various sizes—think embroidery hoops, wreath forms, or even wreaths themselves if you want a more traditional look. Use ribbon or string to tie the rings together from smallest to largest to create the tree shape. Ornaments can be tied to the rings or hooked through punched holes.

Skip the gingerbread houses this year and opt for a tiny forest of gingerbread trees instead. Choose pretty sprinkles and candies to add sparkle to each tree. (And best yet: You can eat these trees when you’re ready to pack it in for the season!)

Photo and idea from Lovely Indeed.

A cone-shaped styrofoam form, a few pinecones and dried fruit, and a little hot glue are all you need to create this little rustic Christmas tree.

Stack up beautifully wrapped gifts (or some big empty boxes) to form a tree shape. Brown craft paper and twine make this an affordable option.

All you need is a few books and a strand of garland or lights to create this charming Christmas tree for your reading nook. (Photocopy a few pages from a holiday favorite to snip and glue into a star at the top.)

For this creative take on the traditional Christmas tree, lengths of wood are assembled together—and simple thumbtacks secure the ornaments in place.

Bare branches can be perfect for highlighting your favorite ornaments from each branch—stick with a single color scheme to give it a cohesive look.

Find a cone-shaped planting form, or use faux succulents and hot glue (plus a few choice ornaments) to create this unique tree.

Rather than putting sweets and treats on your favorite tiered tray, load it up with pretty Christmas ball ornaments for a festive tree-like centerpiece.

For a minimalist Christmas tree with a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, lean a wooden ladder against the wall, then adorn it with a faux pine garland and beautiful velvet stockings. If you miss the scent of real pine, mix a few sprigs of the real stuff into the garland to fill the room with the familiar aroma.

Take a photo of a tree and turn it into a large-scale print at your local office-printing store (like Kinko’s or Staples). Attach it to a long wooden dowel and hang it like a tapestry with string. You can either leave the print as is, or add ornaments to a string and tape them to the tree.

Photo and idea from Almost Makes Perfect.

Even if you don’t have room for a traditional Christmas tree, you can get the same look on a smaller scale. Instead of the 7-foot fir tree, opt for a 3- or 4-foot-tall one, and use a decorative metal planter in place of the typical tree stand and skirt. Then, keep the ornaments minimal so you don’t overwhelm the branches.

If you’re ready to make a bigger commitment, designate a wall (or part of one) as your chalkboard wall. Coat it with chalkboard paint, let it dry, and change up the decorations and drawings according to the season. Here, a hand-drawn fireplace and tree create a whimsical vignette. Then use putty or tape to affix Christmas lights, a stocking, and leaves in the “frame” to add a 3-D effect. The whole scene is completed with a cozy lounge area in front of the wall.

Photo and idea from Mr. Kate.

For countertop or tabletop holiday displays, the humble pineapple can make a big splash with a little creative magic mixed in. Spray a fresh pineapple festive colors, or go silver and gold for a more sophisticated look. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can even hang tiny ornaments from the leaves or wrap the base with twinkle lights. The pineapples will last four to five days, so save this alternative Christmas tree for just before the holiday.

For a trendy fringe effect, try adding strips of crepe paper in tiers. Fringe each strip with scissors and layer one on top of the other—you can play around with different color combinations, too. Tape paper stars and a tree topper to the fringe to finish the modern take on a Christmas tree.

Photo and idea from Clouds of Colour.

This one’s for the kids, and perfect for a playroom or bedroom: Create (or buy) a felt Christmas tree cutout, then use Velcro and felt ornaments to let your kids play and “decorate.” (And hey—it may keep them away from fussing with the ornaments on a bigger Christmas tree, too.)

You can still get that fresh pine fragrance without a tree—or relying on a scented candle. Take an extra-long wooden dowel and cut it into graduated sizes to create a triangle “tree” shape. Glue fresh evergreen branches or rosemary to the dowels. Once they’re dry, attach the wooden pieces to the wall with painter’s tape.

Photo and idea from Almost Makes Perfect.

This crafty Christmas tree idea brings in the feeling of a real Christmas tree, but without the added bulk of a large fir. Various-sized branches are strung together with rope and ornaments are hung from the branches. The whole “tree” is topped with a rustic-inspired star.

This washi tape DIY is a no-fail, last minute project. Create a tree design on a blank wall with patterned washi tape and attach strings of ornaments on the “tree” with clear tape. Customize it to your decor style by choosing different colored tape and adding other ornaments or details.

Photo and idea Homey Oh My.

For a bold, colorful Christmas look, try this wall “tree” made of an assortment of cardstock, painter’s tape, and string lights. Cut triangles out of the cardstock, then layer them on the wall in a tree shape with tape. For a finishing touch, trim the “tree” with string lights and push pins.

Photo and idea from Brit+Co.

Use last year’s holiday cards (or this year’s as they arrive in the mail) to form the tree’s triangular body and use one vertical mailer for the stump. Create a loose arrangement on the floor first to make sure to form a shape you like. Attach them safely to your wall using a loop of painter’s tape on the back of each card. Position your arrangement above a console table and use the surface to stash and stack your gifts beneath.

Here’s another one that’s easy to DIY! Collect sturdy driftwood or branches to create a tiered hanging tree that can easily be dressed up with sparkly ornaments and twinkle lights. A little rustic and a little minimalist, this is a low-lift project that’s much easier to decorate compared to the real thing.

If you want to DIY something like this wooden tree silhouette, you’ll have to be a few steps above beginner level and have all the right tools! But you could make something similar out of heavy cardboard and some paint, with holes large enough to poke bulbs from a string light through. Or, look for something similar on Etsy or other marketplaces.

Want a REALLY low-lift, minimalist idea? Create a Christmas tree motif using a few strands of beads (depending on how large you want the scale) and a star ornament. You can back it on foam board and then hang it wherever you want. If you’re having a holiday party it would be a fun idea to leave out markers so guests can leave you messages, like a giant card!

You can find similar styles to this on Etsy, with lots of options in terms of size, color, and number of shelves, with smaller versions available at craft stores like Michaels. The shelves are especially nice as they can hold presents, ornaments, or candles, like here. Plus, no pine needles to clean up!

If you’re in the camp of boho-style holiday decor, this might get you excited! Use large pieces of dried pampas grass to create a makeshift Christmas tree, using a basket as a “tree skirt” to keep on theme. You can get it in bundles from Amazon, Etsy, and lots of other places.