Vintage Crate Inspired DIY Wooden Christmas Tree Collar

I have been wanting to add a Christmas tree collar to my Christmas tree decor for years! Ideally I wanted to use an old vintage crate or a large basket. The problem is, in the past 4 years I havent been able to find anything that works. So, this year, we finally decided to build something of our own that would look like a vintage crate…but it would actually be a Christmas tree collar!

I was inspired by so many gorgeous Christmas trees I have seen on Pinterest. I love the look of a Christmas tree all nestled into a basket, crate or collar. I love the way that they look pulled together.

What can you use as a Christmas Tree collar?

If your using a real Christmas tree or have a smaller base to your Christmas tree, you can use so many different things as a tree collar including large baskets, vintage crates, antique crocks, a galvanized buckets, and so much more.

How do you make a tree collar fit?

You first will need to measure the base of your Christmas tree. The base that you use will reflect the size of collar you will need. Not all Christmas tree collars are the same size, make sure to keep that in mind when choosing one.

Do tree collars fit all trees?

No, depending on the dimensions of the Christmas tree’s stand, the collar may not fit. I accidentally purchased a collar that was too small for the base of the tree, so it got returned. Make sure to measure!!

You also may want to consider the height of your tree as well. This may effect the size of collar you want to make so that the size balances with the size of the tree.

Here are some of my favorite tree collars available for purchase!

How do I know what size Christmas tree collar to buy or build?

All you need to do to know what size of tree collar to make or buy is to measure the tree base. Often they look smaller than they are and just eyeballing it will prove to be a waste. Whether you use an artificial tree or a real tree the process will be the same. Measure the width of the Christmas tree base as well as the height, just in case you want to make sure the collar is tall enough to cover it as well.

How to make my DIY wooden Christmas tree collar

With so many different options of tree collar ideas, why did I choose to make this vintage crate tree collar?

Well first, I was inspired by some images I had seen on Pinterest and they seemed like the easiest kind to make. Finding a large enough basket to hold my tree’s base was practically impossible.

Follow this simple tutorial that shows how we made ours!

So, as I have said above, measuring the base of your tree is the first step.

If we drew a square around the trees base, the sides of the square would be apx 30 inches each side. So we cut 2 – 30 inch long pieces of wood and 2 – 28 1/2 inch long pieces of wood. Now, these will vary depending on the size of your trees base. Two of our trees have different measurements, so we build them accordingly.

Once we had the 4 pieces cut, we cut the short edges ( ends of the boards) at a 15 degree angle.

The reason we did this is because I wanted it to look like a crate with more narrow base that flares out as it goes up.

We then cut the bottom of each board piece with a 15 degree cut on the table saw so that the board would sit flat on the ground.

*IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT CUTTING ANGLES YOU CAN CREATE A SQUARE BOX TYPE OF CRATE AND STILL HAVE IT LOOK AMAZING!

Once all the angles were cut, we began assembling. *This tree collar does not have a bottom. I wanted to be able to make this an easy build and something that was easy to assemble around the tree. I also wanted it to be more sturdy and this way the tree base is still directly on the floor*

We assembled the tree collar by sandwiching the two 28 1/2 inch boards in between the 30. inch boards to create a square box with a flared top. We were able to hold the corner together and while one was holding the corner, the other person used the brad nailer to secure the boards together.

We added both sides, creating a U shape and then added the last piece to make a square.

I then drew the side of a hole I wanted to have for the handles of the crate. I used my jig saw to cut the hole out.

Then I used my hammer and sandpaper to distress the wood. I wanted it to look like an old vintage crate.

I applied a weathered wood stain and then a grey paint wash over the top of that to age it a bit more.

I was able to lift the tree right into the box and I then used a throw blanket to add some softness to the tree collar.

This wooden Christmas tree collar was so easy to make and makes such a big impact to the space!

So you spy the faded 25 on the front of the tree collar?

I love the way this DIY wooden tree collar turned out! Its exactly what I was hoping for and I cant wait to use it throughout the coming years. This beautiful Christmas tree collar has the look of a vintage crate but the functionality of a Christmas tree collar. Its a simple wooden box that serves a great purpose for me. I even stencilled a 25 on the front. A perfect finishing touch for Christmas.

So, if you are wanting something different than the traditional Christmas tree skirt, give a wooden Christmas tree collar a try!

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