Sunday, December 12, 2010

Tomato Cage Christmas Tree and The DIY Project Parade

I know this is nothing new but I love this idea - a DIY Christmas tree using garland and a tomato cage.  I headed to my favorite local True Value for my supplies to make one for indoor use.  


  • Tomato cage.  Ask a store associate.  They should have them in the warehouse/storeroom since it's not garden season.I got the largest they had. 

  • 3 - 9ft. lighted garland

  • Thick rubber band


To make the tree:

Using a rubber band, gather the "stakes" to make a tee-pee top and secure together (sorry for the bad picture! I must not have checked it before going to the next step...too late now!).

Starting at the bottom (with the plug end of the garland), start to wrap the bottom wire circle with the garland. Wrap a few branches here and there around the wire frame to secure.  

Working around the frame, continue wrapping.

When one garland ends, plug in another and continue wrapping to the top. 

Fluff.  If there are gaps, fill in by twisting branches around the frame or fluff branches to fill 'holes'. 

All done!


We don't have a live tree and I love the smell of pine. So I headed out to the backyard and clipped small pieces of real pine.

Just tuck them in open areas for a fuller 'real' look with pine scent! (Mine are only tucked but you can use floral wire to make things more secure if needed.)



Here it is all complete!  I love it!


Need more height?  

This works great for a base:
  • 5 gallon bucket
  • fabric
  • large rubber band
Take the handle off of the bucket.  

Stretch a rubber band around the top of the bucket.

Sit bucket in the center of a piece of fabric and tuck under the rubber band.

It'll look like this:

Add a round tray (aluminum cookie tray or rattan works) and it's the perfect base to add height to your tomato cage tree.  If you have an out of the way spot, it can just rest on top. Otherwise attach with wire into the holes were the handles were removed.  

You could also paint the bucket instead and fill with stones for weight to use outdoors.  The base was a little to high for my purposes so I didn't end up using it...oops!

Again...my tomato cage Christmas tree:



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If your project is holiday related, please feel free to link up to the DIY Holiday Highlights party as well!

The DIY Show Off


If you'd like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:

1.You must use the button above and link to this post to share the linky love.

2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.

3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.

4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone's links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also - this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted.



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I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
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