A simple holiday DIY that is both elegant and shabby chic.
When you end up with too many ornaments, or you just want one more tree, this shabby chic tabletop Christmas tree is simple perfection.

Shabby Chic Tabletop Christmas Tree
When I set out to create my Shabby Chic Tabletop Christmas Tree, I actually had a whole other DIY vision.
But, as I began working with my ornaments of choice and of course the glue gun, that all went out the door.
I redrafted my plans, changed up what I had originally planned, and created a whole new concept.
What I know is that when you start with a vision for a chic tabletop Christmas Tree DIY and then find a better way, you take to change.
Defining your shabby chic tabletop tree style
Color matters when it comes to decor.
Often, it’s all about the reds and greens, or maybe the buffalo plaid.
We all have our favorite Christmas Colors, and I am no exception.
Forever and then longer, I have seen some beautiful shabby chic Christmas trees but the price tag usually is like a holiday throwup.
So, I set out to create what I have seen in some retailers throughout the last few years and spend less.
While I believe I do break the Shabby chic rules by using silver, it’s still close enough to the shabby chic decor theme to be known as such IMO!
For my shabby chic tree, I stayed within the color range of ivory to rose gold.
Some of the bulbs sparkle and some do not, that’s all in your creative range of decisions.
Ready to Craft A Shabby Chic Tabletop Christmas Tree?
I love Christmas Craft DIYs.
If this project is not for you, try out my other 8 different Christmas Decorations you can make!

Decisions before you start
Will your tabletop Christmas tree be sparkly or matte?
Perhaps a combination of both?
What colors will it be?
Do you know dowel rods come in so many different sizes? What size will you make?
Will you make a set, or just one?
Personally, I chose colors that I am working towards changing all of my decorations to, rose gold, gold, matte white, and some muted silver.
Is it really Shabby Chic?
Well in my mind it is as Shabby Chic as I can craft without making my guys feel like they’ve moved into a Princesses Castle, lol.
No, this won’t be draped with pearls but it could be.
Nor will you see tons of pink.
The muted hues of gold and silver as well as the sparkly rose gold come together to look both elegant and sophisticated.
It Comes Together ….
Alright, so truth be told, there’s no FORM under this tree.
I am the former.
In fact, I used only a strong styro base that I purchased at one of the dollar stores to keep it straight.
Underneath all of this is one stick, a dowel rod.
Generally, I use cool glue from my glue gun collection, lol!
The reason it took a few hours is that I am a mom, running a full-time website, and have children and a home to tend to.
In other words, I had no time to sit still so I worked in between everything else going on.
Otherwise, it should take about 2 hours maximum to build.
NO matter the ornament it’s perfection!
I know I keep saying this, but it’s the color scheme/portfolio you want, including using old ornaments, after all, shabby chic is a bit vintage.
The end game is the rough bow material you use, that brings it all together! It should resemble burlap and if you want a bit of glistening get some sparkle!
Choose your favorite muted golds, rose golds, silver (yes silver), and pearl whites.
Let them be sparkly or muted, it’s YOUR tree.
Make sure you have plenty of hot glue.
Don’t forget to purchase some ribbon/bow or burlap pieces (you can spray paint them to glisten).
I purchased an iridescent rose gold that almost presents as burlap.
The Big Picture For your Shabby Chic Decor
Getting this just right is all about you and your vision, but, you do want to have a few things in your DIY Plan.
For instance, your shabby chic decor does need to look ‘older’ so you’ll want to accent it so it does look that way, which I’ve covered above in this post.
Then, make sure to plan out how to make a base to a top so that it goes from BIG to small as though you are working against a cone form.
Be open to change as you go and don’t get discouraged if one layer of ornaments is not perfect, you can adjust the look as you build.
Shabby Chic Decor Tabletop Christmas Tree
Really this is like working with building bricks except you get to use a big girl glue gun. LOL!
When your shabby chic decor comes together, if it is a little tilted, all you need to do is add a few small filler bulbs as I like to refer to them.
These bulbs are 1/2 the size of all the others and present as an add-in.
When it comes to DIY decor and Shabby chic tabletop Christmas trees, there is no right or wrong. it’s all your own crayon box to work with and develop.
Enjoy your design, as it is an exclusive design that won’t be replicated nor will it cost $60+ dollars!
Cheers~ Dana XO
How To Craft A Shabby Chic Tabletop Christmas Tree.
Materials
- Dowel Rod 36″ Cut to 2 Feet
- Metallic Bow With Wire rose gold, or your choice
- 1 ” Ornaments- 2″ ornaments Mixed 58 TotaL silver, pearl, gold, rose gold, sparkle silver, and sparkle rose gold
- Mini Ornaments 12 pack $1
- Glue Gun
- Glue
- Scissors
- 1 Large 2-3″ bulb *top
- Styro Base 1/2 circle at dollar stores
Instructions
- Place cut dowel rod with a drop of hot glue into the styrofoam base directly in middle.
- Next, begin with 8 large ornaments, lining color as you choose around the base.
- Using the ornament top, push into the styrofoam.
- Pull back out and apply hot glue then push back in and hold to set.
- Repeat the process for the other 7 bulbs on this row.
- Next change to 6 bulbs either all solid colors or mixing depending on the look you want to style.
- Stack these setting on the edge of the others more towards the outside of the tree.
- Glue one at a time and make sure to GLUE in between as well.
- Space and arrange once glued and still not set.
- Repeat onto the next layer.
- Before moving on, I suggest dressing the dowel rod, you may see it, so use an iridescent bow and lightly yet tightly affix to the dowel with glue and then move on.
- I even added a few sparkle pipe cleaner, but I should have just done all bow, it’s easier
- Now, Then move to create 3 rows of 5 bulbs.
- Play with the setup to make it all even and rounded out.
- You want to be thinning the tree as you move up, just like a real tree, you are working to a point
- Next 2-3 rows of (4 bulbs ) depending on the size you used below.
- If you used 1" bulbs you will be creating 3 rows, if you used larger bulbs you will have just 2 rows of 4.
- Then a row of 3 and 2 bulbs until you are at the top.
- Affix the largest bulb you have to the top of the rod with glue.
- Then fill beneath it to fill it in with vase filler ornaments.
- Once you are done with the bulbs, it is time to fill the between the bulbs.
- Simply cut the wide iridescent bow into a 4" strip.
- Cut that in half again, now you have 2 pieces.
- Take one piece and twist it a bit, like you are making a bow.
- In the center, apply some hot glue and press it between any open spot on the tree.
- Repeat this over and over until the tree looks like iridescent burlap is filling any open cavities without OVERDOING it.
- Don’t forget to also cover the base (styrofoam with a bit of the iridescent bow as well, just using enough hot glue to coat without over-doing or letting it drip on the base or it won’t stand straight.
- Let this all set up for about an hour and then you can gift and use it immediately.
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