Mini Christmas Tree Base Styling Hack

How to restyle a simple faux pine mini Christmas tree that comes with the standard burlap wrapped base.

In the sea of same-ness that happens in the decorating world, I always strive to do my own thing, hence the reason behind the name of my blog.  When out shopping it seems that every store sells the same stuff.  You also see it in magazines and yes… on blogs…   trends take over and everyone, even me, likes to get on board for fear of missing out or just to fit in.

Originality is lost.  This is the case with a simple mini faux pine Christmas tree that comes with the standard burlap wrapped base.  It is bought, fluffed and placed on a mantel or table.  I have a few of these trees and decided I wanted to add my own style to their mass merchandised appeal to make them truly unique to me.

I am sure you have seen or perhaps you even have a few of these very inexpensive faux mini Christmas trees in your holiday decorating stash.

Small Christmas tree with burlap base restyled with a metal base. Easy DIY project.Mini Christmas Tree Base Styling Hack

These are classic and look very nice with certain decorating styles and are perfect if you like burlap.  But what if burlap is not your thing?  I fit into this category. I am just not into it but I do like to decorate my house for the holidays with the mini Christmas trees.

I had to get the creative side of my brain fired up to come up with an easy way to style these trees in a way that would also fit my style.

How to Restyle the Burlap Base on a Mini Christmas Tree

Remember the tuna can lantern and candy jar lid I made using a tuna can?  Well I didn’t use a tuna can to make a new tree base, but a can from canned chicken, which is a slightly larger sized can.

Metal tuna and chicken cans can be used as mini Christmas tree bases.

  1. Open and clean out the can.
  2. Use a piece of sandpaper over the surface to remove the ink date that may be stamped on the can and any glue residue. This also will give the metal a bit of texture and shine.

Mini Christmas Tree Styling Idea where you remove the burlap base and replace and restyle it with a tin can.

3. Remove burlap from mini tree base to expose a round of concrete.

4. Place base in can.

5. Cover top with shredded moss or one of these filler options: jingle bells, buttons, shredded gift wrap (DIY this by placing paper in your paper shredder), rice, and moss are just a few things that pop into my mind.

I like the metal base, it resembles galvanized metal. If bare metal isn’t your thing, then how about spray painting the can a color that coordinates with your decor. Try one of these fabulous colors of spray paint  for instant color and pop of modern style.

More Options to Cover Metal Can

Here are a few other variations you can do to add your own style to the base.  Use spray glue to cover it with fabric, gift wrap, ribbon, glitter, decorative paper, or chalkboard paint.

Mini Christmas tree bases restyled using paint, ribbon and glitter.

Here is What I Did to the Bases on This Trio of Mini Christmas Trees:

  1. Use spray glue over can and add glitter. Once glitter is dry, use hot glue to add a wide ribbon.
  2. Spray can with chalkboard paint. Once dry, write on can with chalk.
  3. Cover the can with paper and glitter.  I used my French Script free printable. You can get it here: Free Printable French Script Paper

To fill can and cover the concrete base, I shredded black and white gift wrap in my paper shredder.

3 Faux pine mini Christmas tree bases styled different ways

I covered these using black and white theme, but what colors would go nicely with your holiday decorating style?

3 mini Christmas trees with black and white bases made using tuna cans

Another paint option is to paint the can to resemble zinc.

How to paint a surface to look like zinc

With some craft paint and a brush it is easy to do. Here is a tutorial on how to do it: How to Paint Metal to Look Like Zinc

Tabletop Christmas tree decorating idea using tuna cans

Simply keep the cans plain or add any color and style you want. That is the best part of DIY’ing… you get to be a designer.

Have you changed anything on mass-merchandised decor to make it better fit your personal style of decorating?

 How to restyle the burlap cover that comes with store bought faux pine mini Christmas trees and make a new decorative and stylish base in any color you desire. #miniChristmastree #burlap #fauxpine #christmasdecor #christmasdecoratingDIY #christmasdecoratinghack #Christmastreecollar

Are you looking for more re-styling, DIY and other easy-to-complete Christmas projects?

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20 Comments

  1. Sheryll $ Critters. says:

    Oh your still the best! Love these!

  2. Could not love this project/blog post more! Such a creative idea–inexpensive, easy, and the best kind of creative–using what you have and letting your creative talents get to work! I’m impressed & inspired. Where can you get these trees? Somehow I missed them:(
    So excited to find your blog! There’s a dearth of this creative kind of content these days. Thank you!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Caroline – Thanks for taking the time to leave me the nice comment. I truly enjoy creating and coming up with new ways to use what I already own and repurpose items destined for the trashcan. I am happy that you found my blog and were inspired. I bought the trees at Old Time Pottery. They were $4 each! A real bargain.:-) If you don’t live near a store, then most craft stores, Target and Walmart sell similar trees. I hope you have a very merry holiday season.

  3. This is just adorable, Diane!

  4. Lynn Woodall says:

    You are SO creative. These are great ideas!

  5. Sometimes I think we get so buried in what is “right” we lose sight of what imagination does! Thanks for bringing me back to what I love to do: create! I know this idea may have seemed obvious to a lot of gals but it never occurred to me. I am going to jump on the bandwagon and create my brains out for Christmas!!!!! lol

  6. Your imagination & creativity are wonderful! These trees look so nice changed over from the burlap. Great ideas!

  7. Rickee D. says:

    Now I know what to do with my own burlap base! yea! My mini-tree has earrings hanging on it. I used it in my mom’s room at her nursing home since space was limited. She loved it and so did all the staff who cared for her. The earrings really do look like lovely tiny ornaments. Now, I think I’ll wrap the base in a colorful ribbon. I love the shredded paper idea for filling!

  8. Sherry Darlington says:

    DIY at it’s finest! Inexpensive….easy….and so dang cute!

  9. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says:

    You are a genius!!!! This is so awesome!

  10. These are fab, Diane. Never would’ve thought to shred paper for filling. Genius! I add my own style to many of my shop-bought accessories, especially those from the charity shop. I just love mixing handmade with high street! Thanks for sharing these beautifully simple festive touches. Sue at OneandSeventy x

  11. This is such a great idea. You have got my brain wondering what else could you do? Thanks for the inspiration.

  12. Deanna Rabe says:

    Oh my goodness! I love this! Going to do something with mine this year!

  13. Excellent idea!!! I happen to have a couple of those trees in the closet. Thank you for the fun new look ?

  14. Careful Diane! Your genius is showing…..again. :-) #lovethis #bestidea ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Susie – Thanks… you are so sweet to say that… You made my day. :-)

  15. So simple, but so much more elegant than burlap, which I don’t care for either! I guess I’ll be making chicken salad tomorrow :)

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Deanna – That is exactly what I made with the chicken. :-)

  16. Laura janning says:

    I love this idea. How creative

  17. Angelica K. says:

    Such a wonderful idea!! I love it!