Not Up for a Big, Decorated Tree? Try One of These Ideas

If you’re not home much at the holidays or are a minimalist at heart, these 4 simple tree ideas may work for you

Erin Carlyle November 24, 2017

Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.

Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More

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One of the unsung truths of the holiday season is that getting a big, expensive Christmas tree isn’t for everyone. Don’t get me wrong; there’s something so cheering and festive about a beautifully decorated tree. But for many reasons — perhaps you travel over the holidays, live in a building that doesn’t allow trees, have a small living space, prefer not to cut down a tree or simply consider yourself a minimalist — getting a large tree might not be appealing or even possible for you.

Nevertheless, you can still infuse your home with plenty of Christmas spirit. Here are four fun alternatives to a large, decorated cut tree. Which one do you find most festive?

April and the Bear

1. Put a Tree on Your Wall With …

Chalk. To celebrate in style, you don’t have to get a real Christmas tree — or even an artificial one. Here, a chalkboard wall forms a backdrop for a simple Christmas tree drawn in white chalk, with a chain of stars tacked on it. If you were feeling ambitious, you could add more color with red and green chalk.

If you don’t yet have a chalkboard wall, a can of chalkboard paint typically costs less than a large Christmas tree. Plus you’ll have a wall for drawing other festive holiday scenes year-round.

Les Houzzers ont du talent : X créations revisitent le sapin de Noël

Washi tape. Use this simple trim to make a minimalist tree on your home or apartment wall. Tuck your wrapped presents beneath it for added cheer.

Tape, the Multipurpose Decorating Wonder

Cut branches. This creative wall tree of cut branches strung together with Christmas lights comes from Houzz reader valesga, who wrote from Uruguay with a “Feliz Navidad!” (Merry Christmas!) last year. You could create a similar arrangement with fallen branches from your backyard or a nearby park — perhaps after a storm.

See more trees from Houzz readers

2. Create a Treelike Sculpture

“We are gone a lot of weekends in December and find it difficult to keep a fresh tree watered,” says Houzz reader Lynn Martin Dotterer. So instead of getting a live tree, they decorate a ladder. “This ‘tree’ makes for easy storage and is definitely a conversation piece,” Dotterer says.

Another Houzz reader, suedavies2000, says her husband created this treelike sculpture out of driftwood collected on the beach where they live in Spain. The pieces washed up after storms and floods. “We love it,” suedavies2000 writes.

Here’s another take on the treelike sculpture. Lights strung across the tree have a fun snowflake shape, and the planks that form the small wall sculpture make a natural place to display understated Christmas decor.

Louise de Miranda

3. Make It Petite and Sweet

A small tree can be a festive alternative to the classic large ones — plus you can typically find these trees potted with their roots in place, as opposed to cut. Depending on the type of tree you choose and the climate in your area, you may be able to plant the tree in your yard or even tend to it on your balcony. Perhaps your little tree can grow with you over the years.

That’s exactly what Houzz reader Garineh Dovletian did. “My husband brought this ‘tree’ home 17 years ago for my son’s first Christmas,” Dovletian said. “It was a tiny ‘Charlie Brown’ tree able to hold only one red ornament. The tree has grown with our son over the years and is very special to us.”

Houzz reader zam66 shared this adorable photo. Her condo prohibits live trees, but her mother got her this tiny potted one anyway. The cat seems to like it!

Find trees under 3 feet tall

Another option is to choose a Norfolk pine, which looks similar to a Christmas tree but is actually a tropical houseplant. The photo of this decorated one comes from Houzz reader Julie Runyon. This is in her condo in Reno, Nevada; she spent last Christmas in New York City.

Why You Should Consider a Living Christmas Tree

4. Get a Regular Tree but Keep Decorations to a Minimum

For those who would like a big, real tree but don’t want to fuss with (or purchase) all that tree decor, Houzz reader rachieleigh sets a great example. “Our tree is in the living room, very minimally decorated. I didn’t have a tree skirt and money is tight this year so I used an old Mexican blanket. I like it so much I plan to always use it in place of a tree skirt!”

Houzz reader Sarah BK faced a similar budgeting dilemma. “First year in our first house, so the budget is low,” she wrote last year. Dried orange slices and cranberries make for a festive, natural look for their tree. “Had to skip a popcorn strand because our pups would think it’s a snack tree.”

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