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

This simple tutorial will show you how to make a Christmas Tree collar to hide the ugly metal pole from your artificial Christmas tree.

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.

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.

This 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. You could also call it a large potter for our Christmas tree. 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!

Related Post: Learn how to stencil using a Cricut 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 Homemade Christmas Tree Collar Box

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

Prep Time: 1 hour

Active Time: 1 hour

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 4 hours

Difficulty: Medium

Estimated Cost: $20

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!

Print

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

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

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  16 Packs L Bracket 30 x 30mm Corner Braces,YMAISS Stainless Steel Joint Right Angle Shelf Support Bracket with Screws
• 
  Titebond 5004 II Premium Wood Glue, 16-Ounces
• 
  DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake, 15-Amp (DWE575SB)
• 
  Central Pneumatic 47016 High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun, 20 oz
• 
  National Tree 12 Foot Kingswood Fir Pencil Tree (KW7-500-120)

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 collars! Pin this image below to your Christmas board!

Holiday Family Gift Guides You Might Like

If you liked this post, you might like some of the other holiday roundup posts I’ve done for the family:

• Affordable Family Pajama Sets
• White Elephant Gift Ideas
• Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids (by age)
• Holiday Gift Guide for Moms Who Love Technology
• Holiday Gift Guide for Busy Moms
• Holiday Gift Guide for Dads Who Love DIY Projects
• Holiday Gift Guide for Dads Who Hunt
• Holiday Gift Guide for Girls Who Love Unicorns
• Holiday Gift Guide for Girls – 7 Years Old
• Holiday Gift Guide for Boys – 3 Years Old
• Holiday Gift Guide for Boys – 4 Years Old
• Holiday Gift Guides for Families Going to Disney World
• Holiday Gift Guide for Teachers
• Best Board Games for Holiday Gifting
• Pop Up Book Ideas for Holiday Gifting for Kids