Joni Mitchell Christmas: 18 Tiny Tabletop Tree Ideas That Feel Collected and Cozy
A Joni Mitchell Christmas is proof that a tree does not have to be big to feel special. Joni Mitchell, the singer songwriter behind the winter favorite River, shared a short Instagram video of her living room tree, and Homes and Gardens picked it up. It is a miniature evergreen, partly flocked, sitting on a side table. It wears white lights, little animal ornaments she has collected over the years and an angel on top. That is all there is to it, and it is easy to copy. A small tree suits apartments, guest rooms and anyone who wants less fuss this year. Here are 18 ideas inspired by her tree, from the ornaments to the table it sits on, so your own Joni Mitchell Christmas corner comes together in an afternoon..
The Joni Mitchell Christmas Tree on a Side Table
This is the look in one picture. A mini evergreen, about 60 cm tall, sits on a simple side table next to a chair. The tips are dusted with flocking, the ornaments are small animals and a soft angel crowns the top. Nothing is crowded and every piece has room to be seen. Pick a table you pass every day so you enjoy it often. Our small space Christmas decor post has more ways to fit the season into a small room. This is where your Joni Mitchell Christmas starts..
You will need: A 50 to 70 cm artificial or potted evergreen, a cream pot, a side table, 8 to 12 small animal ornaments, a small angel topper.
How to make it: Set the pot in the middle of the table. Turn the tree so its fullest side faces the room. Hang the ornaments from the top down, spacing them evenly. Finish with the angel.
Start With a Potted Mini Tree
Every tabletop tree starts with the right size. A tree between 40 and 70 cm looks generous on a side table without blocking the lamp or the view. A burlap wrap hides a plain nursery pot and gives a soft, homemade feel. Real dwarf spruce or a good artificial tree both work. If you choose a live one, keep it away from the radiator and water it lightly. Browse our mini Christmas trees post for more sizes and styles.
You will need: A small potted tree, a square of burlap, jute twine, scissors.
How to make it: Set the pot in the middle of the burlap. Pull the corners up around the pot. Tie them with twine just under the rim. Fold the top edge over so it looks neat.
Add a Sprig of Pinecones and Berries
Natural bits make a small tree feel like it came straight from the woods. Wire a few tiny pinecones together with a sprig of red berries and tuck the bundle into the branches. A cluster near the middle of the tree fills a gap better than another bauble. You can gather pinecones on a walk and bake them dry in a low oven first. Find more ideas in our pine cone Christmas crafts post.
You will need: Small pinecones, faux berry picks, an evergreen sprig, florist wire.
How to make it: Bake the pinecones at a low heat for about 30 minutes and let them cool. Wrap wire around the base of each cone. Twist two or three together with a berry pick. Tuck the bundle into a branch.
Joni Mitchell Christmas Animals Start With a Little Fox
Animal ornaments are the heart of a Joni Mitchell Christmas tree. A little white fox looks right at home on a flocked tree because it blends in with the snowy tips. Look for small figures in resin, wood or felt in thrift stores and garden centers. If one has no hanging loop, glue a ribbon loop to the back. One special animal can sit near the front at eye level. Our woodland Christmas decor post has more forest friends.
You will need: A small fox figurine or ornament, thin ribbon, strong craft glue.
How to make it: Cut 10 cm of ribbon and fold it into a loop. Glue the ends to the back of the figure. Let it dry for an hour. Hang the fox where it peeks out from the snowy branches.
A Wooden Owl in a Tiny Hat
An owl is a classic choice for a woodland tree, and a wooden one adds warmth next to the white flocking. This cheerful owl even wears a tiny knit hat. You can give a plain wooden owl the same look with a bit of red sock or felt. Small details like this make guests lean in for a closer look. Ornaments that make people smile are the ones worth keeping. See more ideas in our handmade Christmas ornaments post.
You will need: A small wooden owl, a small piece of red knit fabric or felt, white pom pom, craft glue.
How to make it: Cut a small triangle of fabric. Wrap it into a cone and glue the seam. Add a tiny pom pom to the tip. Glue the hat to the owl’s head at a jaunty angle.
Quirky Wooden Bird Figures
Birds are another favorite for an animal themed tree. These round wooden birds have feather crests in orange, gold and gray, and they look playful next to the evergreen. Set one or two on the table at the foot of the tree, or hang smaller ones on the branches. Mixing standing figures with hanging ornaments makes a little scene. Love birds all year? Our DIY bird feeders post is a fun project for winter.
You will need: Two or three small wooden bird figures, small craft feathers, acrylic paint, craft glue.
How to make it: Paint the bird bodies in soft autumn colors and let them dry. Glue two or three feathers to the top of each head. Group the birds in a row at the base of the tree.
Paint Your Own Animal Ornaments
Her ornaments were collected over the years, but you can start your own set this weekend. Plain wooden shapes are cheap at craft stores. Paint each animal, then add a little floral paper to the body with Mod Podge for a vintage touch. Make a few new ones every year and write the year on the back. Over time your tree tells your own story. A Joni Mitchell Christmas tree is all about pieces with memories. Find more tips in our hand painted ornaments post.
You will need: Unfinished wooden animal shapes, acrylic paint, small brushes, floral napkins or patterned paper, Mod Podge Matte, jute twine.
How to make it: Paint each shape and let it dry. Cut a paper piece to fit the body. Brush Mod Podge on the wood, press the paper on and add a top coat. Thread a twine loop through the top.
A Friendly Reindeer With Baubles
A deer was one of the animals on her tree, and a small reindeer adds a sweet, nostalgic note. This one hugs a bundle of red baubles and gold bells. Place a figure like this at the base of the tree so it looks like it is guarding the gifts. A cheerful face draws kids and grandkids to the table. Keep the colors close to the rest of your tree for a calm look. More ideas wait in our ornament tree ideas post.
You will need: A small reindeer figurine, a few mini red baubles, small gold bells, thin ribbon.
How to make it: Tie the baubles and bells together with ribbon. Tuck the bundle into the reindeer’s arms or around its neck. Set it at the front of the table, slightly to one side of the tree.
An Angel on Top, Just Like the Joni Mitchell Christmas Tree
An angel finishes her tree, and it is the easiest way to make a mini tree look complete. Keep the topper in scale. Something about 10 cm tall is enough for a 60 cm tree. A little figurine like this one, holding a star, can be fixed to the top branch with a pipe cleaner. Choose a soft dress color that matches your ornaments. Our Christmas tree topper ideas post shares more ideas for the top of the tree.
You will need: A small angel figurine or ornament, a green pipe cleaner, a bit of florist tape.
How to make it: Wrap the pipe cleaner around the base of the angel. Hold the angel against the top branch. Twist the pipe cleaner tightly around the branch. Hide the wire with florist tape.
The Joni Mitchell Christmas Flocked Look in Miniature
A partly flocked tree is a big part of the Joni Mitchell Christmas look, and it pairs well with tiny figures. Here a row of hedgehogs stands in front of snowy mini trees. Copy the scene on a tray beside your main tree, or line figures up on a shelf. Flocking spray is easy to use on small branches. Do it outside and keep it light so some green still shows. Learn more in our flocked Christmas tree post.
You will need: Two small artificial trees, flocking spray or white acrylic paint, a few small animal figures, a tray.
How to make it: Spray the tips of the trees lightly from about 30 cm away. Let them dry overnight. Set the trees on the tray. Line the figures up in front, tallest at the back.
A Living Rosemary Tree
Short on space? A pot of rosemary makes a fragrant little tree for a kitchen windowsill or desk. It has the same evergreen look as a mini fir, and you can snip it for holiday cooking. Hang one or two tiny ornaments on it and you have a living tree that lasts well past January. Keep it in bright light and let the soil dry a little between waterings. Our Christmas tree alternatives post has more clever swaps.
You will need: A small rosemary plant, a glass jar or small pot, pebbles, one or two tiny ornaments.
How to make it: Put a layer of pebbles in the jar for drainage. Set the rosemary in and fill around it with potting soil. Hang the ornaments from the sturdiest stems.
A Pot of Red Baubles
Here is a quick idea for leftover ornaments. Fill a small white pot with red baubles and scatter a few on the table around it. Set it next to your mini tree to repeat a color from the branches. It also works alone on a nightstand or bathroom shelf. Shatterproof baubles are best if you have pets or little ones. Give old baubles a fresh look first with ideas from our ornament makeovers post.
You will need: A small white pot or cup, 15 to 20 mini red baubles, a bit of tissue paper.
How to make it: Stuff tissue paper into the bottom of the pot so the baubles sit high. Pile the baubles on top. Scatter five or six more in front of the pot.
A Tiny Tree on the Coffee Table
For a music lover, a tiny tree on the coffee table feels just right. Add a stack of favorite albums and a mug of cocoa, and the corner is ready for a quiet evening. It is a cozy nod to the songwriter who gave us River. Keep the tree small enough that people can still see each other across the table. For more warm drink ideas, see our hot cocoa bar ideas post. A Joni Mitchell Christmas is made for slow evenings like this.
You will need: A 25 to 35 cm flocked tree, a small white pot, a few favorite albums, a mug.
How to make it: Set the tree toward one end of the table. Stack the albums at an angle beside it. Add a mug and a small dish of marshmallows to finish the scene.
Wooden Heart Ornaments
Simple wooden hearts are a sweet filler between the animal ornaments. They look handmade, they are light enough for thin branches and they will not break. Leave them natural or decorate them with paper and Mod Podge. On a small tree, five or six hearts are enough to fill gaps. Write a name or a year on the back of each one for a keepsake. Our wood slice Christmas crafts post has more natural wood projects.
You will need: Small pre drilled wooden hearts, pretty paper, Mod Podge Gloss, a brush, thin red ribbon.
How to make it: Trace each heart onto the paper and cut it out. Brush Mod Podge on the wood and press the paper on. Add a top coat and let it dry. Thread a ribbon through the top.
Wrap Tiny Gifts in Kraft Paper
A few small gifts at the foot of a tabletop tree complete the picture. Kraft paper with white dots looks fresh next to the flocked branches, and a single red ribbon ties it to the ornaments. Even empty boxes work if you just want the look. Keep the boxes small so they stay in scale with the tree. Stamp your own dots with a pencil eraser and white paint. Find more ideas in our gift wrapping tricks post.
You will need: Small boxes, plain kraft paper, white acrylic paint, a pencil with an eraser, red ribbon, tape.
How to make it: Wrap the boxes in kraft paper. Dip the eraser in paint and stamp rows of dots. Let them dry. Tie each box with red ribbon and set them around the pot.
Moss and Pinecones Around the Base
The base of a mini tree is easy to forget, but it shows on a table. A blanket of moss with a few pinecones hides the pot rim and makes the tree look like it grows from a forest floor. Preserved sheet moss from a craft store stays green for years. Add a sprig of dried heather for a soft pink note. Our Christmas tree collar ideas post shares more ways to dress up the bottom of a tree.
You will need: Preserved sheet moss, 5 or 6 small pinecones, dried heather (optional), a hot glue gun.
How to make it: Cut the moss to fit over the soil and the rim of the pot. Press it in place, gluing a few spots. Nestle the pinecones on top. Tuck in a few heather stems.
Joni Mitchell Christmas Keepsakes in a Shadow Box
A collected tree means some ornaments are too fragile or too precious to hang. Give them a home in a shadow box. A rustic box with small squares holds one treasure in each space, from mercury glass to an old bell. Line a few squares with floral paper and Mod Podge for color. Hang it near your tree so the entire Joni Mitchell Christmas corner tells one story. See more ideas in our shadow box ideas post.
You will need: A wooden shadow box or old type tray, floral paper, Mod Podge Matte, a brush, museum putty.
How to make it: Cut paper to fit the back of some squares. Brush on Mod Podge, press the paper in and let it dry. Set one ornament in each square. Hold each in place with putty.
A Joni Mitchell Christmas Corner on a Sideboard
If you have no side table, a sideboard or dresser works just as well. A tree in a woven basket, a folded throw and a short stack of books turn a plain surface into a cozy corner. Felt animals and a small angel keep the same theme as the rest of this list. This setup is perfect for apartments and smaller homes. Our Christmas sideboard decor post has more ways to style the top. It is a simple way to finish your Joni Mitchell Christmas.
You will need: A 60 to 70 cm tabletop tree, a woven basket, felt animal ornaments, a small angel, a wool throw, a few books.
How to make it: Set the basket on one end of the sideboard. Place the tree inside and decorate it. Fold the throw on the other end and stack the books beside it. Add a plant on the floor for balance.
