DIY: Basket Christmas Tree Collar
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How to make a Christmas Tree Collar to hide the tree stand using a Dollar Store find.

Remember this huge basket I found at the thrift store a few months ago?
I had you try to guess what I was going to do with it.
Well… it is finally time to show you.

I transformed it into a Christmas tree collar.

I have always wanted a basket collar, but they can be pricey and it was not a necessity to decorate for Christmas, so I did without.

Until I saw the big basket at the thrift store for a whopping $6.90, I was beyond excited.
I could not use it as is – it needed a few tweaks, but nothing a hack saw, wire cutters, and some stain couldn’t take care of.
How to Transform a Big Basket into a Christmas Tree Skirt
supplies needed:
- large basket – with or without a handle. The measurements of mine: 12″ high. Diameter: 20″ wide at the top, 24″ at the bottom.
- hack saw
- wire cutters
Optional: Rustoleum Weathered Grey stain and a paint brush

1. Use a hack saw to remove the handle. After handle is removed, remove any small reeds that were used to hold the handle in. They will slip right out.

2. My tree stand is wide, so I needed to flip the basket upside down so the wider section of the basket was at the bottom.

3. To remove the bottom of the basket, look for the area where the smaller weave ends. This is where you want to cut. Use wire cutters to cut the reeds that connect to the basket’s side. Make sure you are not cutting the side horizontal reeds – you only want to cut the vertical reeds.

4. Carefully remove the bottom. It will look like this.

5. Use the wire cutters to trim any rough reeds that may be sticking out along the top edge.

6. You could leave your basket the color it is, but I wanted my basket to look a bit weathered. I used Rustoleum Weathered Gray stain. I applied it with a brush and then quickly wiped it away to expose some of the original color. Let dry. Here are some more tips for painting baskets.

7. Place on floor around tree stand, then place your tree in the stand. I always place plastic under my stand just to make sure no water gets on the floor. I bring the ends of it up and around the stand. You don’t see it when it is in the basket.


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More ideas on Christmas tree collars, skirts and stand covers.
Funny, I was thinking to use my laudry basket as my tree skirt this year…
Lovely!!…You always gets great ideas. The weathered stain makes it perfect. I has been waiting to see what was going to happen to that basket now I can”t wait to see the the Christmas tree all decorated.
Best regards.
This really is genius. I love the natural look of the basket, and yes, your tree is perfect!
you never cease to amaze me with your cleverness and unique ideas!
Thanks Barbara – I love to create. Having worked in retail display for years with no budget and super creative types helped hone my skills to be resourceful and look at everything with new eyes.
That is very good!!!! I have never seen anything like it before. Beautiful tree, also. Perfect shape!
Hi Debbie – Thanks XO Both my daughters were home over the weekend and we went to pick out the tree on Friday. It usually takes us awhile since we all like different trees, but we saw this one right away and brought it home. It is one of the best shaped trees we have ever gotten. It is from Corkum Tree Farm in Creamery, PA