5 Clever Alternatives to Traditional Christmas Tree Skirts

updated Oct 24, 2022
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While we love a traditional Christmas decorating scheme as much as the next person, there’s something fun about updating a few classic elements in unexpected ways. One simple way to up your holiday decor prowess is by thinking outside of the box in terms of your Christmas tree skirt. Below, you’ll find five brilliant (and affordable!) alternatives that will have all your party guests talking.

Credit: Remodelista

1. Go coastal with driftwood.

Whether you love to spend your holidays seaside, live in a coastal area year-round, or are dreaming of a White Christmas that involves sand instead of snow, this idea is for you. While this clever craft by Remodelaholic is a bit of a DIY project, it won’t take long to put together, and it will be sturdy enough to last for years to come if you store it properly.

2. Utilize a wire or wicker basket.

While this may be a better options for secondary trees, we love Courtney Warren’s use of wire and wicker baskets as a thrifty and stylish skirt alternative. Whether it’s a basket you used for apple picking earlier this fall or an old wicker basket that’s been hiding in storage, the possibilities are endless for creating homes for all your Christmas trees.

3. Create a cozy farmhouse Christmas vibe with a crate.

Whether you have a crate on hand for a recent holiday shipment of fresh greenery or citrus or you need to purchase one that will be well-suited for a 10-foot tree, crates are an excellent option for creating that cozy, “home for the holidays” feel. We love this inspiration from BarnwoodUSAHomeDecor, an Etsy shop that sells tree-ready crates in a variety of shapes and sizes. 

4. Forgo tradition completely for riots of color.


Sometimes you just need to shake up your holiday traditions, and we love how Libbie Summers decorated her home for the holidays by stepping outside the box. Her tutorial for this clever pom pom tree skirt requires gluing more than 700 of these colorful puffs but time will go by quickly with some festive music in the background, an extra set of hands (or two), and a fresh batch of mulled wine.

5. Give old Christmas sweaters a new life.

Most of us have at least a few ratty, old Christmas sweaters hiding in storage and what better way to use them than to turn them into a colorful yet festive tree skirt? We love this idea from Jennifer Perkins that simply requires the addition of scissors and a basic sewing kit to create a kitschy and fun accessory for the tree. Her post also shares other ideas for turning old sweaters into fun Christmas crafts for the whole family.