This is the current state of my dining room table.

Trees that look like this.

I know, right?

Did you sigh, too?

I’m working on decorating a holiday showhouse right now and it’s full of farmhouse Christmas like this.

There are Merry Christmas signs and fluffy pillows and throws and metal cup racks and birch logs and pallet wood clocks and these trees.

If these trees look like they need to visit your house.

If these trees look like they should wish you and yours Merry Christmas.

If these trees have your name written all over them.

Here’s a little DIY from my dining room table to yours.

Before I start this DIY can I press pause and give a shout out?

These trees were created by my brother.

The most creative, funny, sweet, hilarious brother on the universe.

He never lets me down and makes trees for me when I ask him, too.

Here are a just a few of his other projects:

A pallet wood clock

Boxes that look like people

This carved sign

And my favorite of all one of the best trash to treasure projects in the world…

this table

And now.

Without further adieu.

Here’s the DIY I promised.

How to make a DIY wood tree.

DIY Wood Christmas Tree

Supplies:

pallet boards or reclaimed lumber

wood glue

plywood

nails (or you can use a nail gun)

jigsaw

Step 1:  Disassemble the pallet

Remove the pallet boards from the pallet and rip each board down the middle.

Each board will then measure approximately 2 1/2″ wide.

(total aside number 1:  you don’t have to use pallet wood for this project.  You could use paint sticks or yardsticks or even random sticks from your yard.)

Cut the pallet into an 18 inch piece to start as the base for the christmas tree

Step 2:  Cut out a piece of plywood 18″ x 18″

Lay the pieces of pallet wood end to end and stagger them like bricks.

Glue the pieces of pallet wood down.

Then nail each piece in place.

Step 3:  Trace a basic outline of a Christmas tree

We went old school.  Triangles and straight lines and all that.

Draw a series of triangles and straight lines to create a tree that is 16″ tall and 12” wide on a sheet of paper.  You could also draw a smaller tree and take it to a copy shop and have the shape enlarged.

Then trace the tree on top of your plywood which now has rows of pallet wood glued and nailed on to it.

Then cut out your tree that you’ve traced with a jigsaw.

You will cut through the plywood and the pallet wood together at the same time.

This is what the back of the tree looks like with the plywood side facing up.

Step 4:  Frame the cut-out of the tree

Frame out the tree shape with pallet wood.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Just measure and cut pieces that fit around the edges.

Sometimes they won’t line up exactly perfectly.

That’s okay.

Character is perfect for a pallet wood tree.

Because of the points of the tree….you will need to cut some of the pallet boards at an angle to form the edges (as shown).

Then nail the boards in place.

Sand the tree thoroughly to make sure you knock down all the rough edges.

Then finish it with wax or polyurethane.

I decided after I wrote this post, I decided that I’m keeping it simple this year.

I sorted throught the tubs and got rid of four.  I’m using what I have and making everything else.

It’s a handmade holiday.

Starting with the trees.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Terry Cross Terry Cross

    Bless your little cotton socks, I'm so glad to know you're human too sweetie! I'm alternating between the joy of the upcoming Christmas season and the strong desire to move to a desert island to avoid the seemingly impossible To-Dos on my ever-growing list! Lord help us to lean hard on you for the strength you so freely offer. (The tree is totally ADORABLE!) Fondest Wags from Agatha & me!

  2. Image for Laura Harrie Laura Harrie

    Can I have your rejected 4 bins of decorations KariAnne? I”ll payfor the shipping, or better yet, I will drive to Texas and pick them up. That way I can see you house in person and be inspired!

  3. Image for Regina Merrick Regina Merrick

    I love your tree! I always wanted a brother, but had to marry into a family and have my sister marry to even get a bro-in-law! Congratulations on simplifying. Maybe you'll start a new trend - I usually have at least a bin left over of rejects - I just need to get up the nerve to throw the extra away!! Happy pre-Thanksgiving!!

  4. Image for Leslie from Fairview Leslie from Fairview

    KariAnne, YOUR home will radiate with beauty and hospitality and sparkle with Christmas joy whether you use one box or dozens of boxes of decorations this year. I'm happy you are able to relax and enjoy the reason for the season and realize the most important gift you give to so many of us is the gift of you. You inspire both your young and not so young readers to enjoy life, see the beauty in even the most simple of things and to truly appreciate family. We'll see many beautifully decorated trees and homes this year (and yours will most surely be one of them), but few will have the simple beauty of wisdom and hospitality you offer us every time you post. Do I see a velveteen rabbit here? You are deeply loved and appreciated by many who have never seen you and it is not because you are incredibly talented and show us how to make our own homes lovely, but because, through your transparency, you make us feel better about ourselves. "Don't go changing... We love you just the way you are."

  5. Image for Barbara Moore Barbara Moore

    Orrrrr.....you could ask your sweet brother if there are any of these trees for sale this year........? I like that idea best. #toomuchmathfordecember #i'malreadyalittletired

  6. Image for Denise V Cox Denise V Cox

    Dang gone that ol' brother of yours!! How about he pays me a quickie visit to the Eastern Shore? I love this tree and would try my hand at making it, but when you live in a small apt., you don't have room to store DIY tools. Please tell your brother the tree is lovely... 🎄

  7. Image for Bliss Bliss

    Well ok then.... remember the old days when I was the first one to comment on a new post? AND I did so on each one? Well where the heck have I been that I didn't know this new house was actually your old house? How did I miss that? How many question marks can this comment contain? I just stopped in to take a tour of the new digs so I don't seem lost when I stop to eat at the open house, and then I saw this wood Christmas tree after my tour, and before I knew it I have been here all morning.

  8. Image for Connie, IN/FL Connie, IN/FL

    Everyone in your family is so talented including you. Did your Mom like to decorate and change things up all the time? I like that you each make "homemade" gifts for one another. Love all your stuff!

Comments are closed.