Mini Christmas Trees: 14 Tiny Tabletop Ideas That Look Better Than the Real Thing

Mini Christmas trees are the little joys that make a whole house feel ready for the holidays. Not every room has space for a big tree, and honestly, not every year has the energy for one. A small tree on the kitchen counter, a nightstand or a work desk brings that same cozy glow in minutes. They cost a fraction of a full size tree, they are easy to move, and you can style each one to match its room. Below are 14 tiny tabletop ideas, from a vintage crock to a teacup tree, with simple steps and supplies for each. Many use things you already have in a cupboard or the craft closet. Pick one for every room or make a little forest on one table and watch your family smile..

Mini Christmas Trees in a Vintage Crock

A stoneware crock gives a little tree instant farmhouse charm. Thrift stores and flea markets often have old crocks for a few dollars, and they are heavy enough to keep a small potted tree steady. Tuck in red and gold mini ornaments, wrap a strand of battery fairy lights through the branches and tie a plaid bow around the trunk. Set it on the kitchen counter where you see it every morning with your coffee. Is there an old crock hiding in your garage..

You will need: A stoneware crock or heavy planter, a 2 foot potted or faux tree, mini ornaments, battery fairy lights, plaid ribbon, a few stones or crumpled paper to fill gaps.

How to make it: 1. Set the tree in the crock and pack the gaps so it stands straight. 2. Wind the battery lights from the top down. 3. Add the ornaments, largest first, and tie a bow at the base.

Burlap Wrapped Bucket Tree

A galvanized bucket wrapped in burlap looks like something from a country market. It is one of the cheapest ways to dress up a grocery store potted tree, and it takes about ten minutes. Add wooden stars, faux berries and a red gingham bow for a cheerful rustic look. These also make lovely hostess gifts, since the burlap hides the plain plastic pot. Who would love one on their porch table?

You will need: A small galvanized bucket, burlap ribbon, jute twine, a small potted tree, wooden star ornaments, faux berry picks, gingham ribbon, hot glue (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Wrap burlap around the bucket and glue the seam at the back. 2. Tie jute twine around the middle and add a gingham bow. 3. Set the tree inside and decorate with stars and berries.

Mini Christmas Trees in a Teacup

Grandma’s china finally gets a holiday job. A tiny bottle brush tree tucked into a floral teacup looks so sweet on a windowsill or a breakfast tray. Fill the cup with a little floral foam or rice to hold the tree upright, then add red bead ornaments and a glitter star. Make a few with mismatched cups and saucers for a charming row. Do you have a single teacup without its set?

You will need: A vintage teacup and saucer, a 4 to 6 inch bottle brush tree, floral foam or dry rice, tiny bead ornaments, a mini star, glue dots.

How to make it: 1. Fill the cup two thirds with foam or rice. 2. Press the tree in firmly. 3. Glue on mini beads and a star, then dust with faux snow if you like.

Mini Tree in a Woven Basket

A woven basket softens mini Christmas trees beautifully and makes them feel like part of the room rather than a holiday add on. It suits bedrooms, reading corners and Scandinavian style spaces. Keep it simple with tiny white ornaments and a strand of battery lights, and let the basket texture do the work. The best part is that baskets hide ugly plastic pots completely. Which corner of your home needs a little glow?

You will need: A sturdy woven basket, a small potted tree, a plastic liner or bag, tiny white ornaments, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Line the basket so water does not soak through. 2. Set the tree inside and stuff gaps with a soft throw or burlap. 3. Add a few white ornaments and battery lights.

Mini Christmas Trees With Wood Bead Garland

Wood bead garland is the easiest way to make a tiny tree look styled. Drape it in loose swoops and the natural wood tone instantly feels warm and modern. You can make your own with craft store wood beads and cotton cord in one evening. Mix in a few gold ornaments for a little sparkle. Have you tried making your own bead garland yet?

You will need: Unfinished wood beads in two sizes, cotton cord or jute, scissors, tape, optional white paint for a few beads.

How to make it: 1. Tape one end of the cord to keep beads from sliding off. 2. String beads, alternating sizes. 3. Tie off with a tassel at each end and drape it on the tree in loose loops.

Paper Cone Trees in a Row

Paper cone trees are the easiest mini Christmas trees to make, and they cost almost nothing. Roll cardstock into cones, cover them with paper, felt or tiny pom poms, and line them up on a mantel or shelf in different heights. Soft gray, white or kraft paper looks elegant, while bright colors feel fun and retro. Add a bead garland at their feet for a finished look. What colors would you choose for your little forest?

You will need: Cardstock or poster board, decorative paper or felt, glue stick, hot glue (adult help), small pom poms or sequins, a bead garland.

How to make it: 1. Roll cardstock into cones of different heights and glue the seam. 2. Trim the bottom so they stand flat. 3. Cover with paper or felt and add trims.

Kitchen Rosemary Tree

A potted rosemary plant trimmed into a cone shape is a favorite kitchen tree. It smells lovely when you brush past it and looks just like a tiny pine. Add a few lightweight ornaments and a small bow, and keep it near a sunny window. When the holidays are over, it simply goes back to being a pretty plant. Would you keep yours by the stove or the sink?

You will need: A potted rosemary plant, pruning snips, a decorative pot, very light mini ornaments, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Trim the plant gently into a cone shape. 2. Set it in a decorative pot near bright light. 3. Hang a few tiny ornaments and tie a ribbon around the pot.

Handmade Ornaments Made for Tiny Trees

Mini Christmas trees look best with small ornaments, and handmade ones make them extra special. Cut shapes from wood, salt dough or air dry clay, paint them in red and white, and string them on thin cord. Hearts, stars and little trains are easy for beginners. A set of these tied to a mini tree makes a heartfelt gift. Which shape would you make first?

You will need: Air dry clay or thin wood shapes, mini cookie cutters, acrylic paint, a straw to make hanging holes, thin red cord.

How to make it: 1. Roll clay thin and cut shapes, poking a hole at the top. 2. Let them dry, then paint simple details. 3. Thread cord through each and tie a loop.

Mini Christmas Trees in a Snowy Village

Surround a little tree with tiny houses and fluffy snow and it turns into a story. A village scene on a side table or windowsill is one of those things kids and grandparents will stop to look at again and again. Use a snow blanket, a few small houses and mini bottle brush trees in different heights. For more tiny tree ideas, see our bottle brush trees gallery. Where would you set up your village?

You will need: A faux snow blanket, small ceramic or wood houses, mini bottle brush trees, a small tabletop tree, battery tea lights or fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Lay a snow blanket and build little hills with towels underneath. 2. Place the tree at the back and the houses in front. 3. Fill gaps with mini trees and battery lights.

Brass Bell Mini Tree

Brass bells bring an old fashioned, heirloom feel to a small tree. Thrift stores often sell bags of little bells, and their warm gold tone glows beautifully next to fairy lights. Hang them with cream velvet ribbon for a soft vintage look. Every time someone walks by, the gentle jingle makes the room feel festive. Do you have old bells tucked in a holiday bin?

You will need: Small brass bells, cream velvet ribbon, a small tabletop tree, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Thread ribbon through each bell and tie a bow. 2. Space the bells evenly from top to bottom. 3. Add lights last so the brass catches the glow.

Ribbon and Bow Tree

Sometimes all mini Christmas trees need is ribbon. Big red bows tied right on the branches look classic and expensive, especially paired with a single silver bell. Ribbon is also unbreakable, which makes it perfect for homes with pets or toddlers. Buy one wide roll and you can decorate several trees. Would you go classic red or try velvet green?

You will need: Wide wired ribbon in red or velvet, scissors, a small tree, floral wire, one or two bells.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 18 inch pieces and tie full bows. 2. Wire each bow onto the branches. 3. Add a bell at the center and fluff the tails.

Mini Christmas Trees With Tiny Toy Ornaments

Tiny toy ornaments like rocking horses, drums and trains make a mini tree look like it came from an old toy shop. Shop the dollhouse aisle at the craft store or look for mini ornament packs. Keep the colors to red, white and natural wood for a cohesive look. This one is especially fun for a kids room or a playroom shelf. What toy did you love most as a child? You can see a quick build your own mini tree video on MSN.

You will need: Mini toy ornaments, a small tree, thin gold cord, red and white mini balls.

How to make it: 1. Start with the biggest toy ornaments spaced around the tree. 2. Fill in with tiny red and white balls. 3. Add a small star or bow on top.

Colorful Bottle Brush Tree Trio

For playful, modern mini Christmas trees, group three or more bottle brush trees in bright colors. Pink, gold and lime green feel cheerful and a little retro, and they look stunning on a bar cart or bookshelf. You can bleach and dye plain green ones at home, or buy them already colored. Keep everything else simple so the colors shine. Which color combo fits your home?

You will need: Bottle brush trees in several sizes, optional fabric dye, a tray or cake stand, faux snow or glitter.

How to make it: 1. Pick an odd number of trees in different heights. 2. Group them on a tray, tallest at the back. 3. Sprinkle faux snow around the bases.

Mini Christmas Trees With a Toy Train

A little train circling a cluster of mini trees is the kind of scene people remember for years. Set a small track on a side table, add a log cabin or two and a handful of tiny trees, and let it run during family dinners. It is a cozy nod to old department store windows. Keep cords tidy and out of reach of little hands. Who in your family would love watching the train go round?

You will need: A small battery toy train set, mini trees, a log cabin or small houses, faux snow, a sturdy table.

How to make it: 1. Lay out the track on a snow blanket. 2. Arrange the trees and cabins around the loop. 3. Test the train and tuck any cords away safely.