10 Best Self Made Christmas Trees

Posted by pfadvice
December 21, 2006

I received an email from a woman that was depressed that she couldn’t afford a $100 for a Christmas tree at the local tree lot. I remember seeing a number of creative Christmas trees that people had made using only the stuff they happened to have and did a search to give some examples to her. After sending them off, I thought it would also be worthwhile sharing them here in the blog. You don’t need to buy a “typical” Christmas tree to get into the Christmas spirit. Here are 10 Christmasmas trees that aren’t typical, but certainly a lot of fun and show how a bit of creativity can brighten up the holidays no matter where you may be:

#10

Chair Leg Christmas Tree: This 1946 photo of a Christmas tree made out of chair legs goes to show that creative use of what is around has been going on for a long time.

Christmas Tree In Space: While this Christmas tree might not seem much to look at on first glance, consider it was made out of cans by the SkyLab crew on outer-space, it certainly deserves to be in the list.

Chemistry Lab Christmas Tree: Give credit to these students who were able to brighten up their chemistry lab by fashioning the lab equipment into a Christmas tree and giving it color by filling the beakers with colored liquid.

Wine Bottle Christmas Tree: Hey, if you drink a lot of wine and have bottles all over the place, why not build a huge wine bottle Christmas tree in your front yard?

Mountain Dew Can Christmas Tree: Before you recycle (and while on a major caffeine high after drinking so much Mt Dew), build yourself a Mt Dew Christmas tree. Photos will even help you figure out how to build your own.

Beer Keg Christmas Tree: What do you do with all those beer kegs from the pre-Christmas parties? Easy, build a Christmas tree with them.

Everyday Stuff Christmas Tree: Even if you think you don’t have anything around the house to build a Christmas tree, this one shows that it is still possible.

Plywood Christmas Tree: No money for a Christmas tree? build one out of plywood, paint it and you are set for this year and every year in the future.

South Pole Christmas Tree: No reason to let minor details like freezing weather and no trees keep you from building a Christmas tree as those living in the South pole did.

Ladder Christmas Tree: This tree gets the number one prize because it uses everyday stuff that anyone who owns a house would already have meaning the cost would be close to nothing, can be created by practically anyone, can be finished in little time and without a lot of effort and looks great.

Honorable Mentions

Doughnut Christmas Tree: Who wouldn’t love a doughnut Christmas tree?

Camouflage Christmas Tree: (emailed without link – if this is yours, let me know and I will link to your site). While the desert may not be hospitable to Christmas trees, a little creativity and camouflage netting can do the trick.

Upside Down Christmas Tree: Not really a do-it-yourself tree, but worth an honorable mention for nailing it to the ceiling.

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Information: December 21st, 2006; 39 Responses

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Categories: Holidays; Saving Money

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Reader Comments

Comment Number:: 1
Written by:: Prince of Thrift
Posted on:: December 21, 2006 at 6:39 pm

first (in shock) $100 for a fresh Christmas Tree?

ok now, I like the wine bootle christmas tree — someone could also do that out of beer bottles as well.

Comment Number:: 2
Written by:: bluntmoney
Posted on:: December 22, 2006 at 8:07 am

I agree with the ladder tree as number 1. The doughnut tree would be much-loved by our dog.

Comment Number:: 3
Written by:: Princessperky
Posted on:: December 22, 2006 at 9:39 am

Good grief! to the woman complaining…

Get a short tree, make one from green paper, paint one on the wall..there is no reason to go into debt for a tree.

Find solutions, don’t whine…fix the problem with what you do have.

Comment Number:: 4
Written by:: Debbie
Posted on:: December 22, 2006 at 3:45 pm

Thanks for sharing these with us. I just love these.

Comment Number:: 5
Written by:: Don
Posted on:: December 23, 2006 at 8:20 pm

In Washington, DC we bought a monstrous 8 ft tree for $45. I understand the use of the anecdote to start the article, but let’s at least make it believable. $100 tree? Try the fire station selling trees as a fundraiser. My parents got one for $15.

Comment Number:: 6
Written by:: pfadvice
Posted on:: December 23, 2006 at 8:22 pm

I understand the use of the anecdote to start the article, but letâ€™s at least make it believable. $100 tree?

Simply relayed what was sent to me in an email…

Comment Number:: 7
Written by:: J. Watson
Posted on:: December 23, 2006 at 11:28 pm

FWIW, I live in a major city, and while you could get a small tree for less, a six-footer could easily be around $100.

ITA about the ladder tree. That is stunning!

Comment Number:: 8
Written by:: Weird Daily » Blog Archive » 10 Best Self Made Christmas Trees
Posted on:: December 24, 2006 at 8:28 am

[...] [link] [...]

Comment Number:: 9
Written by:: Chris
Posted on:: December 24, 2006 at 9:52 am

We made our own paper tree a few years ago. No money for a “real” one, two energetic and aggressive cats at home, plus who wants to deal with all those needles falling off? I turned out quite nicely, if I say so myself. Merry Christmas!

http://flickr.com/photos/scurzuzu/127229130/

Comment Number:: 10
Written by:: The Digerati Life
Posted on:: December 24, 2006 at 3:32 pm

Absolutely Gorgeous Trees! Thanks for this lovely post!

Comment Number:: 11
Written by:: A Secular Franciscan Life » A Christmas Link Roundup
Posted on:: December 24, 2006 at 11:22 pm

[...] For those of you who are either too frugal (read, cheap) to purchase a Christmas tree or you waited too long and they’re all sold out here is a handy dandy guide to the 10 Best Self Made Christmas Trees. [...]

Comment Number:: 12
Written by:: cdill
Posted on:: December 24, 2006 at 11:51 pm

I picked up a really nice tree at Home Despot on 12/23 for ten dollars! Quite fresh and fragrent. They close them out that close to the big day.

I do love that ladder tree and will remember it next year.

Comment Number:: 13
Written by:: Rhea
Posted on:: December 25, 2006 at 12:58 am

a great collection of trees!
thank goodness for creative people.

Comment Number:: 14
Written by:: Brian
Posted on:: December 26, 2006 at 7:13 am

$100.00 for a Christmas tree? Come on. We bought a lovely Fraiser fur for $50.00. Had we waited until 12/22 we could have bought a Scotch Pine for $3.00 at a local “home improvement” store. A ladder 6 foot ladder there is well over $50.00.

Comment Number:: 15
Written by:: nick
Posted on:: December 26, 2006 at 8:05 am

I like the wine tree it should not be number 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment Number:: 16
Written by:: Sma
Posted on:: December 26, 2006 at 8:54 am

They’re good, but I have a special attachment to my own home-made Christmas tree:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samgraham/312938727/

Comment Number:: 17
Written by:: Amber
Posted on:: December 26, 2006 at 9:34 am

Our tree was $140

Comment Number:: 18
Written by:: jordan
Posted on:: December 26, 2006 at 2:18 pm

In NYC and anywhere else that matters (not the fly-over states) trees cost that much. Sure in the backwoods where everyone makes 17,000/ year trees will be cheap since you can go into your backyard and cut one down.

Comment Number:: 19
Written by:: 5150 Royco pushing the buttons » Blog Archive » #5229 - Het einde is nabij
Posted on:: December 29, 2006 at 6:19 am

[...] Nog even hard werken op het kantoor vandaagÂ en dan is het einde van dit internetjaarÂ al zo goed als voorbij. Die ‘denneboom‘ waar we zo hard aan gewerkt hadden kan ookÂ uit ons huis vertrekken en de kerstman is ook weer vertrokken naar de noordpool. Ik vondÂ 2006 een fijn jaar en hoop dat 2007 niet slechter wordt voor mijzelf. [...]

Comment Number:: 20
Written by:: jenny vorwaller
Posted on:: December 30, 2006 at 5:33 am

ohhhh. i love tree no. ten !

Comment Number:: 21
Written by:: catnapping
Posted on:: December 30, 2006 at 12:54 pm

LOL, I love the kegger tree. too much.

Comment Number:: 22
Written by:: Cindy
Posted on:: January 4, 2007 at 6:56 am

The pics are great but what a hoot.
Lord, what a bunch of pagans. Tree worship truly must be in the unregenerated souls of us all. As a bible believer, I now understand the xmass tree has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity which most folks who claim to be Christians don’t have a clue about. The traditions of men die hard. I have to confess I love the lights, though.

Comment Number:: 23
Written by:: Naik’s News » Omakase linkdump: Merry Craftsmas
Posted on:: January 10, 2007 at 1:56 am

[...] â€¢ Top 10 DIY Christmas trees [...]

Comment Number:: 24
Written by:: Magelyn Balili
Posted on:: July 1, 2007 at 4:44 am

i like the upside down x-mas tree for it is very unique,uncommon…so fantastic!

Comment Number:: 25
Written by:: used vans girl (Subscribed)
Posted on:: July 2, 2007 at 7:40 am

Doughnut Christmas Tree has to be the one for me but I’m guessing if she doesn’t have the $100 for the tree the donuts are out of the question also which leaves the mountain dew Christmas tree which you can make your money back by charging them for advertising.

Comment Number:: 26
Written by:: nfl betting odds
Posted on:: October 30, 2007 at 10:50 am

Great site! Best wishes!

Comment Number:: 27
Written by:: 10 Best Self Made Christmas Trees « wszystko co najciekawsze
Posted on:: December 19, 2007 at 1:53 pm

[...] Best Self Made Christmas Trees 10 BEST … choinek od [...]

Comment Number:: 28
Written by:: Unusual Life » 10 cool Xmas trees
Posted on:: December 23, 2007 at 12:32 pm

[...] 10 cool trees Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

Comment Number:: 29
Written by:: The Manticore (Subscribed)
Posted on:: December 24, 2007 at 9:17 pm

What about the Jaegermeister tree??!!

Comment Number:: 30
Written by:: Daily Links
Posted on:: December 24, 2007 at 11:27 pm

[...] Best Self Made Christmas Trees – (Personal Finance Advice) Santa Claus Bank Robbery – (Wikipedia) Mother 21, Celebrates 5th Baby – (BBC) To Catch A Thief – [...]

Comment Number:: 31
Written by:: Frank (Subscribed)
Posted on:: December 26, 2007 at 8:42 pm

the point of the article was to be creative and work with what ya got. some of these ideas were really unique and practical. the people should be commended and not criticized, some people just want to bitch to hear themselves bitch, even if its at the expense of someone else. remember, its the season to be jolly, ho ho ho and all that crap

Comment Number:: 32
Written by:: K Gift (Subscribed)
Posted on:: October 11, 2008 at 7:25 am

They are all great, my favourite is the wine bottles as that’s a lot of fun that must have gone into drinking that.

Comment Number:: 33
Written by:: kabuki
Posted on:: December 12, 2008 at 7:25 am

I have another version of xmas tree on the wall using only nails and wire.Happy
Xmas to everyone!

Comment Number:: 34
Written by:: Sir_Snide
Posted on:: December 23, 2008 at 7:46 am

Thank GOD I live in a flyover state!

Comment Number:: 35
Written by:: natalie
Posted on:: December 23, 2008 at 9:36 am

i think the tree from the ceiling was to cover up an ugly dining room chandelier.

Comment Number:: 36
Written by:: Sonia
Posted on:: December 23, 2008 at 4:14 pm

Where I’m from, people pile up lobster traps in the shapes of trees, and cover them with buoys rather than ornaments. It is surprisingly tree-like, especially since the netting in the traps is usually green.
I am a big fan of the ladder tree myself, though I have to say the Mountain Dew tree is kind of beautiful…

Comment Number:: 37
Written by:: Jo
Posted on:: December 29, 2008 at 10:46 am

The wine bottle christmas trees seems to interest me.

Comment Number:: 38
Written by:: Emily
Posted on:: July 9, 2009 at 9:19 pm

i liked the one in the ceiling, although all of them are very cool..great job and great thinking..

Comment Number:: 39
Written by:: Lash
Posted on:: October 17, 2009 at 9:39 pm

I used an old tomato cage, turned on its topside, and extended it to a point using old coat hangers. Then I wrapped it with some artificial spruce garlands (bought for .99 each). You can space them tightly or farther apart, depending on how many you have, or the effect you want. Add mini lights, and whatever decorations you have! I placed mine outdoors, on top of a birdbath (had to drain it to avoid freezing)!