Tomato Cage Christmas Trees: 13 Clever Ways to Turn a Garden Leftover Into Holiday Magic

Tomato Cage Christmas Trees are the clever porch trick that keeps popping up every December, and it is easy to see why. That wire cage sitting in the garden shed already has the perfect cone shape once you flip it upside down, so all you have to do is dress it. Add a few wreaths, a garland or a spiral of ribbon and you have a full size tree for the front door at a fraction of the store price. A video of this idea got far more likes on MSN than anything else from the same channel this week. Below are 13 ways to do it, from a stacked wreath topiary to a tinsel snowman, with simple steps for each. Grab your gloves and let’s go raid the shed..

Stacked Wreath Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Of all the tomato cage Christmas trees, this is the version that went viral. Flip a tomato cage upside down, tie the legs together at the top, then slide three evergreen wreaths over it from largest to smallest so they stack into a lush, tiered topiary. A big red velvet bow on top finishes it. Set it in a white planter by the door and it looks like something from a garden boutique. The idea comes from a Create with Hometalk video on MSN. Do you have three wreaths waiting in the attic? Then you are nearly done..

You will need: A large tomato cage, three faux wreaths in graduated sizes, zip ties, floral wire, a planter with sand or rocks, a large bow.

How to make it: 1. Flip the cage upside down and zip tie the legs together at the top. 2. Set the wide end into a planter weighted with sand. 3. Slide the wreaths over the top, largest first, and wire each in place. 4. Fluff the branches and add the bow.

Wrap the Cage in Faux Pine Garland

If you do not have wreaths, a long faux pine garland does the same job. Start at the bottom ring of the flipped cage and wind the garland around and up, wiring it to the frame every few turns so it does not slide. For tomato cage Christmas trees of standard size, two nine foot garlands cover a standard cage nicely. Wear gloves, because the cut wire ends on cages can be sharp, and ask an adult to handle any cutting. It is a great job for a Saturday morning in the garage. Ready to start wrapping?

You will need: A tomato cage, two faux pine garlands, green floral wire, wire cutters (adult only), work gloves, zip ties.

How to make it: 1. Zip tie the cage legs together at the top. 2. Wire the garland end to the bottom ring. 3. Wrap upward in a spiral, wiring every 12 inches. 4. Tuck the final end in at the top and fluff the branches.

Burlap Tomato Cage Christmas Trees With a Tin Star

For a farmhouse look, wrap a garland covered cage in a spiral of wide natural burlap ribbon and top it with a rustic tin star. The rough texture against the green pine looks warm and homey, and it suits a porch with a plaid blanket and a galvanized bucket nearby. Burlap ribbon is cheap at any craft store, and wired edges help it hold soft loops. Want something a little more polished? Swap the burlap for a cream velvet ribbon. Which look fits your porch?

You will need: A garland wrapped tomato cage, wide wired burlap ribbon, floral pins or wire, a rustic tin or wooden star.

How to make it: 1. Pin the ribbon end at the bottom. 2. Wrap it upward in a loose spiral with soft loops. 3. Secure it with wire every half turn. 4. Wire the star to the top point.

Glowing Tulle Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Wrap a bare tomato cage in white tulle and slip battery fairy lights inside, and at dusk it glows like a snowy little tree along the front walk. Tulle is light, cheap and comes in big rolls, so you can make two or three tomato cage Christmas trees in one evening. Use only battery lights with a timer outdoors, so there are no cords to trip over. Place them in a row along the path for a magical welcome. How many would you line up?

You will need: A tomato cage, a roll of white tulle, a strand of battery fairy lights with timer, zip ties, clear tape.

How to make it: 1. Zip tie the legs of the cage together. 2. Weave the fairy lights around the frame first. 3. Wrap the tulle around and around, overlapping each layer. 4. Tape the ends inside and switch on the lights.

Pick the Right Cage

Not all cages are the same, so a quick look before you start saves frustration. Tall round cages with three or four rings make the best full size trees, while short ones are perfect for tabletop versions. Colorful painted cages are fun if you plan to leave some wire showing. If a cage is rusty, a coat of green spray paint outdoors makes it disappear under the greenery. Check the shed or a garden center clearance aisle first. How many cages do you have tucked away?

You will need: Tomato cages in the sizes you want, a wire brush, green outdoor spray paint (optional), gloves.

How to make it: 1. Choose cages with sturdy, even rings. 2. Brush off loose rust and dirt. 3. Spray paint green outdoors if needed and let dry. 4. Sort them by height for different projects.

Trim and Shape the Wire

A few quick snips make any cage look more like a tree. Trim the leg ends evenly so the tree stands straight, and bend the top points together into one neat peak where the star will sit. Adults should handle the cutting with good pliers or wire cutters, and everyone should wear gloves since fresh wire ends can be sharp. Wrap the cut tips with tape for safety. It only takes ten minutes, but it makes the finished tree look far more polished. Ready to grab the pliers?

You will need: Wire cutters or heavy pliers (adult only), work gloves, electrical tape, zip ties.

How to make it: 1. Flip the cage and gather the legs into a point. 2. Trim uneven ends with the cutters. 3. Zip tie the point tightly. 4. Wrap all cut ends in tape.

Tabletop Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Small cages make adorable trees for a dining table or a mantel. Wrap them in thin garland, then wind wide red and white striped ribbon around like a candy cane, and top each with a tiny gold star. Three in a row on a white runner make an instant centerpiece. These tomato cage Christmas trees are light enough for kids to help decorate, and they pack flat at the end of the season. Which table in your home needs a little forest?

You will need: Small tomato cages, thin faux garland, striped ribbon, floral wire, mini gold stars, hot glue (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Gather and tie the legs of each small cage. 2. Wrap thin garland around the frame. 3. Spiral the ribbon over the garland and wire the ends. 4. Glue a star on top of each tree.

Pine Cone Packed Tree

Pine cones are free, and among tomato cage Christmas trees, a cage stuffed with them looks rustic and expensive at the same time. Wire cones onto the frame, starting at the bottom ring with the largest ones and working up to small cones at the top. Fill gaps with smaller cones until no wire shows. A burlap bow on top keeps it simple and natural. Bake collected cones on low heat first, with an adult, to clean them. It is a lovely weekend project after a walk in the woods. Got a pine tree nearby?

You will need: A tomato cage, lots of pine cones, floral wire, wire cutters (adult only), gloves, a burlap bow.

How to make it: 1. Clean and dry the pine cones. 2. Wrap wire around the base of each cone. 3. Wire the cones to the cage from bottom to top. 4. Fill gaps and add the bow.

Wood Bead Spiral in a Galvanized Bucket

A spiral of natural wooden bead garland over green pine gives a cage tree a clean Scandinavian look. Set the whole tree in a galvanized bucket weighted with rocks, and it is ready for a farmhouse porch next to a rocking chair. Wood bead garland is easy to make yourself by stringing craft beads on jute. It is one of the simplest tomato cage Christmas trees to keep up year after year. Would you leave it natural or paint a few beads red?

You will need: A garland covered tomato cage, wooden bead garland or craft beads and jute, a galvanized bucket, rocks or sand.

How to make it: 1. Fill the bucket with rocks and set the cage inside. 2. Wire the bead garland to the bottom ring. 3. Spiral it upward evenly. 4. Wire the end at the top.

Tomato Cage Snowman for the Yard

Three cages stacked and wrapped in white tinsel garland make a jolly snowman that looks great with or without real snow. Use one cage right side up as the base and two smaller flipped cages for the middle and head, or cut them down to size. Add a felt top hat, a plaid scarf and stick arms. Kids will want to name him right away. Stake him into the ground so he does not tip in the wind. Who in your family will pick his name?

You will need: Three tomato cages, white tinsel garland, zip ties, a felt or foam top hat, a scarf, two sticks, garden stakes.

How to make it: 1. Shape three round sections from the cages. 2. Wrap each in white tinsel. 3. Stack and zip tie them together. 4. Add the hat, scarf and stick arms, then stake him in place.

Rustic Grapevine and Orange Slice Tree

For a natural, old fashioned look, wrap the cage in brown grapevine garland and tie on little bundles of dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks with twine. It smells lovely on a covered porch and looks like something from a country Christmas market. You can dry your own slices in the oven, and our guide to dried orange slices has plenty more ways to use them. Will you add a bow on top or keep it simple?

You will need: A tomato cage, grapevine garland, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, jute twine, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Wire the grapevine garland around the cage from bottom to top. 2. Tie oranges and cinnamon into small bundles. 3. Tie the bundles onto the vine. 4. Add a twine bow at the top.

Glowing Topiary Inspiration

Topiaries wrapped in warm lights on either side of an entrance, like these at a California inn, are exactly the look a pair of tomato cage Christmas trees can copy for much less. Wrap your finished trees in warm white battery lights, set them in matching pots and let them frame the door. At night the whole entry glows and feels like a welcome. Keep the lights on a timer so you never have to remember. Could your front door use this kind of glow?

You will need: Finished cage trees, warm white battery light strands with timers, matching planters.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the lights around each tree from the bottom up. 2. Hide the battery packs inside the greenery. 3. Set the timers for six hours from dusk. 4. Place the trees on each side of the entrance.

Matching Tomato Cage Christmas Trees by the Front Door

Finish strong with a matching pair of tall trees, one on each side of the front door. Wrap two cages in lush garland, add shiny red ornament balls and set them in black planters, and the entrance looks like a magazine cover. Making tomato cage Christmas trees twice is quick, and the symmetry makes everything look planned and polished. Shatterproof ornaments are best outdoors. Pair them with a wreath on the door and you are done. Which color ornaments will you choose?

You will need: Two tomato cages, four faux garlands, shatterproof red ornaments, floral wire, two matching planters, sand or rocks.

How to make it: 1. Set both cages in weighted planters. 2. Wrap each with two garlands. 3. Wire the ornaments on evenly. 4. Check both trees from the street and adjust so they match.