This simple tutorial will show you how to make a Christmas tree collar to hide the ugly metal pole from your artificial tree. I also share with you how to make this a great family heirloom and tradition that stands the test of time every Christmas.

In This Post

The Artificial Christmas Tree Metal Pole Decorating Dilemma

I've always dreaded trying to figure out how to hide the ugly artificial Christmas tree metal stand underneath the skirt!

Sure, I could get a real tree, but there's something inside of me that was always bothered by cutting a live tree down for the sake of celebrating the holidays (call me a Scrooge).

However, I've always wanted to solve the problem of hiding the Christmas tree stand. If you don't want a DIY solution, check out this roundup of some of my favorite Christmas tree base covers you can buy online.

The Solution to Hiding the Metal Pole on an Artificial Christmas Tree

I found a $20 solution - a homemade Christmas tree collar. It's actually a faux crate box that we made out of wood that we found laying around the house.

Below is a simple tutorial on how to create a personalized Christmas tree collar box that you can customize with your kids handprints as a new Christmas tree tradition!

We decided to paint it white like a crate box (imagine it as a wooden potter for your faux Christmas tree to hide the metal stand). What's unique about this project is that it allows me to have room to put their little handprints on their as a Christmas tradition. Their handprints are on the side of the box while our family name is shown in front. If you want to learn how design your family name on the wooden Christmas tree collar, check out this post on how to stencil using a craft cutting machine.

Considerations for Storing More Christmas Tree Decor

Not only is this an easy project to make over the weekend, it can be disassembled for the sake of storage for the following year because it's attached with easy to remove L brackets. A DIY Christmas tree collar project is a great way to showcase your beautiful tree in all its glory.

This project will allow you to keep your Christmas tree skirt neat (or remove it all together), and avoid the rumpled mess that could cause a tripping hazard for your little ones. A homemade Christmas tree collar is a beautiful and polished way to showcase your Christmas tree without blowing your budget.

However, if you don't have time to make one, that's okay. I've curated some of my favorite premade Christmas tree basket and stand collars from some of my favorite sources around the internet!

If you've checked out that link, you'll find that you'll spend anywhere from $25 all the way to $200 for a personalized one.

Christmas Tree Collar for All Sizes of Trees - Big or Small

Whether your tree is big or small, you can hide the bottom of your artificial Christmas tree. This tutorial can be adapted to make not just a small Christmas tree collar, but also a large Christmas tree collar like the one for my 12 foot tree.

Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Tutorial on a How to Make a Tree Collar

This simple tutorial instructions will show you how to make your own DIY tree collar that you can complete over a single weekend.

My tutorial is for a faux wood crate tree collar to give your home that modern farmhouse style that is trending these days!

How to Make a Christmas Tree Collar

Learn how to make a beautiful Christmas tree collar to hide the ugly metal stand from your artificial Christmas tree! This will keep things neat and tidy. The best part is that you can make a new tradition by adding handprints!

Prep Time 1 hour

Active Time 1 hour

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 4 hours

Difficulty Medium

Estimated Cost $20

Materials

trim to go around the plywood
wood glue
8 - 90 degree braskets
paint
wood stain
staple gun
staples

Tools

Drill
Level
Measuring Tape
Circular Saw

Instructions

Get your Christmas tree stand and and set it up as if you were preparing to set up your Christmas tree.
Measure each of the sides. Take that measurement and add 1/2 an inch to each side.
Next, cut the trim piece based on your measurements.
Use wood glue to glue the sides together to form the outer trim for one of the sides of your Christmas tree collar.
Measure the space inside the trim. Add 1/2 inch to each side.
Cut that measurement out for the inside panel.
Use wood glue and a staple gun to attach the inner plywood against the trim.
Next, stain or paint the wood and panels they way that you want it decorated.
We used the paint, stain, and repaint method.
Check out my first stencil project with a Cricut for what we did to our Christmas tree box.
Sand and scuff the wood with sandpaper if you want the distressed look.
Attach L brackets to your new Christmas tree collar.
Add in your Christmas tree stand to make sure it fits.
Add in kids handprints with acrylic paint on one of the sides to personalize it.
Enjoy the Christmas tree collar and how it now makes a very polished look for your Christmas tree!

Notes

This Christmas tree collar will hide any ugly metal stand and is absolutely gorgeous. It's also really easy to put away as well.

Recommended Products

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Tips on Kids Hand Prints on Christmas Tree Collar

With little kids and a white canvas like the one I have, they tend to get a little too excited to put their handprints on. Here's my tip: instead of putting paint on a plate and having them dip their entire hand on there, I would actually take a brush and brush the paint on their hand. Next, have them smooth out the paint layer by slowly rubbing their hands together.

Beautifying Your Home with Christmas Cheer

Once you've assembled the Christmas tree around the stand, you can start putting your Christmas tree together.

I think Christmas tree collars are a great way to beautify your evergreen tree. While baskets and crates aren't new in the decorating world, the personalization of adding your family's handprints as well as name takes it to the next level. Taking it one step further, you can label their handprints by name and year.

If you are getting into the holiday spirit, check out my post on how to flock a Christmas tree with artificial snow!

I would absolutely love to see your take on this tutorial. Comment below with your own homemade Christmas tree collar! Pin this image below to your Christmas board!

Christmas Tree Home Decor Tips

Comments

Toni Becker

November 06, 2023 at 8:11 am

I was barely able to get through your article because of the pop-up ads that relentlessly kept covering your content. Geeesh! It's a good idea, though.
Shawna

November 01, 2020 at 12:27 pm

What are the dimensions of your tree collar?
Jordan

October 19, 2020 at 1:28 pm

FYI someone has taken your photos and used them as a fake etsy listing and is scamming people.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/877943791/customer-family-name-tree-collar?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=christmas+tree+collar&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&plkey=6d80f98ba18f36be39d9c4a275b386963871b31b%3A877943791&cns=1
Doris

July 27, 2020 at 9:15 am

Beautiful and awesome
Deede

July 03, 2020 at 4:56 pm

I made a similar one two years ago but just joined the boards with hot glue and Christmas ribbon. I love the look and it folds flat for storage. Yours is lovely.
M. Skeete

January 06, 2020 at 9:30 pm

Awesome, I have tried just about everything which never worked.
Christina

December 10, 2019 at 10:50 pm

I totally love this !! We live to make custom things for our kids for Christmas! This is perfect!

How to Make a Christmas Tree Collar (Step by Step with pictures)

The Artificial Christmas Tree Metal Pole Decorating Dilemma

The Solution to Hiding the Metal Pole on an Artificial Christmas Tree

Considerations for Storing More Christmas Tree Decor

Christmas Tree Collar for All Sizes of Trees - Big or Small

Step-by-Step Tutorial on a How to Make a Tree Collar