In years past, the smallest of the three trees has gone in either a woven basket or an antique Red Wing pottery crock. But this year, I decided to change things up a bit and DIY a new tree collar.
DIY paint stick Christmas tree
Our paint stick Christmas tree is easy to make and super inexpensive. Our printable, advanced strength round double-sided adhesive and paint sticks from your local improvement store will have this craft ready for hanging in no time.
We used extra long stir sticks, sometimes called ‘paint paddles,’ to create this project. They’re just the right size to create a more impressive display than if we had used short paint sticks.
Although we’re partial to our unique patterns with inspirational words, you can skip the printer altogether and make your own with variations of green scrapbook paper. Grab your decoupage glue and assemble. Done!
This post includes links to purchase items you’ll need from our affiliates.
Paint stick Christmas tree instructions
paint stick Christmas tree instructions
Ingredients
- paint stick Christmas tree printable
- 5 – 21″ x 1/4″ x 1 3/8″ paint sticks
- [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DD1NF/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000DD1NF&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=IUJMNI342CHOLTMQ” target=”_blank” title=”Razor Saw”]razor saw[/url]
- green and white craft or spray paint
- sandpaper
- [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KRSWM6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005KRSWM6&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=K63S3737ENZWW4LV” target=”_blank” title=”Precision knife”]precision knife[/url]
- [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IKES5O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001IKES5O&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=BLHFWGKM47YLCUCY” target=”_blank” title=”Decoupage glue”]decoupage glue[/url]
- twine
- [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K7OM10/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001K7OM10&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=UU24JU3VRYJLKQSL” target=”_blank” title=”Wooden Star”]3.5″ wooden star[/url]
- jingle bells (optional)
- wood glue
Instructions
- Start by cutting off the handle-end of each stick using a razor saw. Two sticks should measure 17″ long and the remaining sticks should measure 16″, 13″, 11″ and 7″. Paint all sticks green and the star white. Allow them to dry then sand the edges of the star for a distressed look.
- Download the [url href=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/paint-stick-christmas-tree-cherylstyle-printable.pdf” target=”_blank” title=”Everyday Dishes & DIY Paint Stick Christmas Tree Printable”]paint stick Christmas tree printable[/url] and open in [url href=”http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/” target=”_blank” title=”Adobe Reader”]Adobe Reader[/url].
- Print and cut out the designs where indicated. Adhere the cutouts onto the appropriate length stick using decoupage glue and allow them to dry.
- Once dry, flip over and cut off excess paper using a precision knife.
- Make the ‘trunk’ by placing the plain, painted 17″ stick in a vertical position on your work surface. Space the remaining sticks one inch apart from one another horizontally, starting with the longest stick at the bottom and ending with the shortest stick at the top. Use wood glue to adhere to the trunk.
- Make a hanger by looping twine then glue or staple it in place on the backside of the tree. Glue the star in place at the top. If desired, add bells using twine then hang.
Notes
If you want to hang this Christmas tree on the front door instead of a wreath, make sure to use exterior paint and Mod Podge.
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This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
Up to this point, we’ve always shared projects from start to finish, but not this one! We’re showing the build here, but we are collaborating with our YouTube friend, Christina from Pretty Distressed, who will be sharing the finish.
Christina searched the internet and found a project from Pottery Barn’s website to duplicate. It’s a rustic Christmas tree that has been discontinued for many years. This is our interpretation of the design using readily available and inexpensive paint sticks.
Take a look at the video to see how it all came together!
So many angles on this project! It took me a bit to figure out the top and bottom cuts. For the top cuts, the miter saw is set at 60 degrees and the bottom cuts are at 31.6. This was the first time I’ve cut angles so there were some learning bumps along the way! I love learning new things, especially when it involves successfully using scary power tools!
Tools/ Materials:
- (2) 5 gal. Paint Stick (3-Pack) (Home Depot)
- 1 Gal. Paint Mixing Craft Sticks (10-Pack) (Home Depot)
- 1 in. x 1 in. x 36 in. Pine Square Dowel (Home Depot)
- 5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 36 in. Hardwood Square Dowel (Home Depot)
- (4) 1/4 x 2-1/2 hex cap screws and nuts (Home Depot)
- RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Cordless 4-Tool Combo Kit with (2) Batteries, 18-Volt Charger, and Bag (Home Depot)
- RYOBI Multi-Material Drill and Drive Kit (60-Piece) (Home Depot)
- Makita 15 Amp 10 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser (Home Depot)
- Surebonder 18-Volt Lithium Battery Standard Size Cordless Glue Gun (Home Depot)
- (2) 7 5/8”
- (2) 9 1/2”
- (2) 10 3/4”
- (2) 9 7/8”
- (2) 5 3/4”
- (2) 2 1/4”
- (2) 7 5/8”
- (2) 8 3/4”
- (2) 9 1/4”
- (2) 6 1/8”
Once I finished all the cuts, I started to assemble. I’m using hot glue construction adhesive. This has a stronger bond than regular hot glue. You can get it online at Surebonder.com. That green mat is silicone, also by Surebonder, that keeps the glue from sticking to the table top.
Time to construct the base which is made from a paint stick, 1″ wood dowel and fastened with bolts and nuts. We are using bits from the Ryobi 60 PC Drilling and Driving Kit. This was actually the very first kit of this type that we purchased when we were first starting out. It’s a great assortment of bits to have on hand.
This is the drill that is included in the Ryobi ONE+ 4PC Combo Kit. Additionally, the kit includes: impact driver, reciprocating saw, led work light, 1.5ah battery, 4.0ah battery, a charger, and bag. Here’s the cut list for the base: from 1” wood dowel cut two pieces 9 5/8”, from a large paint stick cut one piece 8 3/4”, and for the back support, cut a large paint stick to 17 1/4”.
After drilling holes into the first part of the base, I sandwiched all three pieces and drilled through the remaining pieces. Even though I was careful, The holes ended up being just a bit off! How does that happen?!
I found a socket bit that fit the nut and screwed these into place. (Note: this would have been much easier if I had the socket handle, but I didn’t find that until later!–I wonder who didn’t put it back in its place?!)
We made a second smaller tree from regular size paint sticks without the alternating wood dowels.
- (2) 5 7/8”
- (2) 6 1/2”
- (2) 7 1/2”
- (2) 8 1/2”
- (2) 6 1/2”
- (2) 3 1/2″
- (2) pieces 8” long cut from 1” wood dowel
- (1) base support 8″ long cut from large paint stick
- (1) back support piece cut from large paint stick that is 11 7/8” long.
All finished–we can’t wait to see how Christina finishes these!
We glued a paint stick to the back of each tree for additional support.
Check out how Christina finished the Christmas Trees in the video above! We are so excited to see how these turned out and had so much fun working with Christina on this.
Check out her youtube channel and don’t forget to subscribe to see more videos!
We acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with us to participate in the ProSpective 2019 Campaign. As a part of the Program, we are receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own words. Our post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!
FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!
Video Tutorial: How to Make a DIY Paint Stick Christmas Tree Collar:
Yield: 1 tree collar
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Transform a laundry basket into a piece of DIY Christmas decor – with this tutorial for an unfinished wood Paint Stick Christmas Tree Collar.
Materials
- wooden paint sticks –
- laundry basket – mine was an old dollar store basket from years ago*
- Jute rope
- 1-inch to 1.5-inch wide ribbon
- OPTIONAL: filler like straw
- heavy-duty craft scissors
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions
- Watch the video tutorial before you begin, and let that be your visual guide for this project.
- Flip the laundry basket upside-down.
- Cut a large circle out of the bottom of the laundry basket.
- Begin setting paint sticks in place, resting them in the lip of the basket handle rim.
- Hot glue the paint sticks in place. It may be easiest to only hot glue the bottom end of the paint stick, leaving the top end loose. Since the laundry basket has a slight cone shape, you can then overlap the tops of the paint sticks slightly as you go along, later securing them with ribbon in step 7.
- Cover the plastic rim at the bottom of the tree collar with jute rope. Hot glue the rope end in place. Hot glue at 6-inch intervals as you coil the rope around the laundry basket a few times, until all the plastic is covered.
- Tie a ribbon around the top of the tree collar, arranging the paint sticks as necessary so they overlap and are evenly spaced. Tie the ribbon in a simple bow.
- Place your tree in the tree collar. Add straw or other filler to hide the top of the laundry basket.
* A note on laundry basket selection: I used an old dollar store laundry basket, so it’s a bit smaller than regular laundry baskets. You can use any width of basket, as long as it isn’t much taller than a single paint stick. You have a bit of wiggle room to cover any piece of basket poking out with jute rope, but not too much! Otherwise, you will need to cut your laundry basket down to the right height.
