30 Alternative Christmas Tree Ideas

There are several Christmas tree substitutes if you lack the funds or space for a live tree, prefer a more environmentally friendly option, or wish to reduce the amount of needle cleanup. You may use foraged branches, paper, felt, cardboard, chalkboard, and other materials to make low-maintenance tree-shaped décor that lets you reimagine this Christmas custom in a stylish way.

Take a look at these imaginative and unconventional Christmas tree substitutes that come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials that will last for many years.

Tree-Shaped Advent Calendar

Add charm to your holiday decor with a wall-mounted tree-shaped advent calendar. This creative design by Most Lovely Things features clay tags, driftwood, and greenery, offering a festive and space-saving option for smaller rooms or apartments. It adds seasonal excitement while doubling as wall decor.

Cardboard Christmas Trees

If you’re looking for a sustainable option, consider crafting Christmas trees from cardboard. Chelsea Foy of Lovely Indeed created a whimsical forest of life-sized trees using recyclable cardboard. These trees are easy to fold and store, making them perfect for low-clutter, eco-conscious holiday decorating.

Scavenged Branch Tree

Create a rustic, artistic take on a Christmas tree using collected branches. Kara Rosenlund’s version features natural wood arranged vertically and decorated with white and silver ornaments for a clean, wintery aesthetic. It’s a great way to bring nature indoors during the holidays.

Gingerbread Christmas Tree

Combine decor and dessert with a homemade gingerbread tree centerpiece. Sugar and Charm designed a tree out of edible gingerbread pieces, offering a festive and functional decoration perfect for kitchens or small spaces.

Pinecone Christmas Tree

Create a nature-inspired display by attaching painted pinecones and acorns to a foam cone. This pinecone tree by My 100 Year Old Home serves as a beautiful table centerpiece or accent piece, and works well alone or alongside a full-size Christmas tree.

Wooden Dowel Christmas Tree

Use wooden dowels to design a minimalist Christmas tree that fits on a tabletop. Ivelina from Frichic crafted a clean-lined Scandinavian-style version painted white, adding a soft, modern touch to smaller living areas.

Wall-Mounted Branch Tree

For a minimalist twist, mount branches directly onto a blank wall in the shape of a tree. With a few small ornaments, this design fills the space while keeping your decor light and airy—ideal for studio apartments or modern interiors.

Copper Pipe Christmas Tree

Get creative with materials by making a modern tree using copper piping. Lia Griffith’s design stands six feet tall and is built from copper tubing and wire, accented with string lights for a warm metallic glow that suits contemporary spaces.

Kraft Paper Christmas Tree

Add a playful, artistic vibe to your holiday decor with a kraft paper tree. This DIY tree by Lia Griffith uses everyday brown paper to craft a full-sized alternative that’s both eye-catching and easy to personalize.

Christmas Tree Art

Make a statement with Christmas tree artwork. MYK Berlin’s design features a tree made of colorful toys and decorations, printed and hung like a scroll. It’s easy to display and just as simple to store after the holidays.

Pegboard Christmas Tree

Transform a pegboard into a fun Christmas tree alternative for kids’ spaces. Cake and Confetti decorated theirs with artificial flowers, greenery, and ornaments for a playful, tactile design that’s perfect for playrooms or classrooms.

Feather Christmas Trees

Craft an elegant all-white tree using faux feathers attached to foam bases. My 100 Year Old Home displayed the trees on rustic candleholders, creating a light, airy holiday look ideal for a farmhouse or vintage-themed space.

Christmas Tree Tapestry

Hand-paint a tree design on fabric to create a reusable Christmas tapestry. This idea from Craftberry Bush brings in traditional charm while saving space—just roll it up and store it after the season.

Christmas Ribbon Trees

Use holiday ribbons in festive colors to form small tree shapes. My 100 Year Old Home created red-and-white ribbon trees displayed on a tiered stand, offering a sweet, simple alternative that doubles as a centerpiece.

Present Stack Tree

Stack wrapped gift boxes to resemble a Christmas tree for a stylish and easy solution. Marie Flanigan Interiors created a cohesive look using matching wrapping paper and bows, finished with potted poinsettias for a polished holiday touch.

Christmas Tree Shelves

Build a triangular wall shelf to act as a functional Christmas tree. Lia Griffith’s design combines natural wood, dried greens, and handmade ornaments for a creative and modern holiday display that works even in small homes.

Plywood Christmas Tree

For a minimalist space, a plywood tree offers a sleek and modern alternative. The Merrythought designed one from flat sheets for a look that’s both simple and striking—and easy to customize with decorations or lights.

Dress Form Christmas Tree

Add a creative twist to your decor by turning a dress form into a Christmas tree. My 100 Year Old Home used pine branches and chicken wire to design a unique tree that’s perfect for offices, craft rooms, or as a secondary tree in larger homes.

Lighted Branches Tree

For a cozy, low-maintenance display, arrange bare branches in a vase and wrap them with fairy lights. Lobster and Swan’s setup works well as a soft, ambient alternative that can stay up beyond the holiday season.

Antique Spindle Tree

Repurpose vintage wooden spindles to craft a tree with farmhouse flair. Liz Marie used whitewashed finishes for a soft, neutral palette that pairs well with shabby chic or rustic home decor.

Graphic Christmas Tree

Add festive personality to a wooden wall tree by painting a message or seasonal saying. A Beautiful Mess personalized theirs with holiday text and decorated around it for a complete Christmas look without a traditional tree.

Foraged Tabletop Tree

Create a natural centerpiece using gathered branches and handmade ornaments. Most Lovely Things designed a simple tabletop version that fits perfectly on kitchen tables, offering an alternative to full-sized trees in compact spaces.

Christmas Floating Shelf

Turn your existing floating shelves into a festive focal point. Laura Gummerman of A Beautiful Mess added ornaments, framed photos, and a bright holiday message board for a cheerful, customizable tree alternative.

Floral Christmas Tree

Use ornaments and fresh or faux flowers to assemble a mini tree on your kitchen island or table. Interior designer Mel Bean incorporated this concept into a pastel holiday setup, proving that floral decor can be just as festive as greenery.

Mantel Christmas Tree

Style your mantel with a small decorative tree for an understated seasonal look. Lucy Akins of Craftberry Bush added golden paint and baubles to a wooden frame, creating a beautiful piece of holiday art for the fireplace.

Pallet Wood Tree

Recycle wood pallets into a rustic Christmas tree. A Beautiful Mess cut and finished pallet planks to shape a DIY tree that can be decorated with garlands, lights, or small gifts.

Salvaged Greenery Tree

Attach sprigs of greenery to a chalkboard or framed board to create a quick and rustic holiday tree. Thistlewood Farms designed theirs for a vintage farmhouse look using leftover trimmings and seasonal decor.

Christmas Tree Marquee

Add personality to your holiday with a custom marquee sign in the shape of a tree. A Beautiful Mess took a fun approach, designing theirs with bold colors and playful imagery to stand out from traditional decor.

Rag Ribbon Christmas Trees

Use leftover ribbon or fabric scraps to form miniature trees. Craftberry Bush tied patterned ribbons around tree-shaped forms for a vintage-inspired decoration that’s perfect for tabletops or cozy corners.

Herringbone Wood Tree

Build a geometric tree from scrap wood arranged in a herringbone pattern. Funky Junk Interiors painted the backdrop black to contrast with the wood tones, creating a striking and rustic design ideal for modern farmhouse spaces.