22 Colorful Tabletop Tree Christmas Decorations for a Small Space

Wood dowel Christmas tree yarn ornaments
Photo: Adam Albright

They may be small, but these handcrafted tabletop Christmas trees add big style wherever you place them. Whether you go with a traditional evergreen or a homemade mini Christmas tree, we have several decorating ideas for tabletop tree Christmas decorations to fit every holiday style.

01 of 22

Winter Wonderland

Blue white christmas tree paper snowflakes
Adam Albright

This tabletop Christmas tree display feels like it's straight out of a snow globe with its icy decor and wandering polar bears. Cover a miniature flocked tree with glass icicles and DIY snowflake ornaments. A sparkling forest of crafted and store-bought mini trees ups the cool factor, and a handmade paper snowflake crowns the scene.

02 of 22

Toy Story

Wood dowel Christmas tree yarn ornaments
Adam Albright

This minimalist dowel rod tree looks sophisticated enough to display anywhere, but tiny teddy bear ornaments make it feel at home in a kid's room or play space. The toy bin (or the floor) is the place to start; small misfit toys and trinkets make great tree decor! Wrap the base of the tree with a chunky scarf and add miniature surrounding trees by wrapping yarn around paper or foam cones ($3, Michaels) and securing with glue.

03 of 22

Winter Scene Trees

Christmas décor Winter Scene Trees
Jay Wilde

A forest of bottle brush trees set the scene for a festive holiday table. This DIY centerpiece is made with trees, plastic reindeer figurines, and faux snow ($18, Walmart). Try adding fun accents like ruby red reindeer noses and gold antlers.

04 of 22

Paper Christmas Trees

Paper Tabletop Christmas Trees
Kim Cornelison

Cheer up your front entryway with a little pattern play. These whimsical paper tabletop Christmas tree decorations are super easy to make and require just a few materials: You'll need decorative cardstock, tape, and star-topped toothpicks. Glitter paper ($2, Michaels) gives them extra sparkle without the mess!

05 of 22

Fragrant Mini Evergreens

Fragrant Mini Evergreens tabletop
Adam Alright

Evergreen trees are like the emblem of Christmas. Go fresh or fake—either way, these minis make lovely centerpieces.

Editor's Tip: Be like Frosty and add a magic touch using fake snow, then pop them in colorful mini vases ($30 for three, Walmart), available and budget-friendly at your local crafts store.

06 of 22

Pine Christmas Trees

Pine Christmas Trees tabletop
David Tsay

If it's tied in a bow, it's got to be good. Plant lemon Cyprus trees in mini containers or soup cans, then wrap them in burlap and secure with hot glue ($6, Walmart). A Santa-red bow makes them presentation ready!

07 of 22

Cupcake Christmas Trees

tree muffin cups
Jason Donnelly

No frosting here. These sweet trees call for a cone base, scissors, glue, and lots of patterned cupcake liners ($3 for 150, Walmart). Alternate layers to help give the trees texture, then play with height for a more dramatic display.

08 of 22

Cozy Tabletop Christmas Trees

Woolen tabletop Christmas tree
Rene Cheney

Create a charming wintry look on your dining table with these woolen tabletop Christmas trees made from gently worn or cast-off sweaters.

To make the middle tree:

  1. Slide a paper-mache cone into one arm of a sweater with the cone base at the cuff. Pull the sleeve snugly around the cone, fitting the cuff around the cone base.
  2. Determine the placement of cutting lines so the sleeve slightly overlaps on the back of the cone.
  3. Mark straight cutting lines using a ruler and a water-soluble marking pen.
  4. Remove the sweater from the cone and cut along the lines; hot-glue the sweater to the cone. Glue assorted white buttons to the cone as desired.

To make the trees on the left and right:

  1. Cut the sweater back from side seam to side seam into approximately 2- to 3-1/2-inch-wide strips.
  2. Wrap each strip around the cones as shown, trimming strips as necessary for a slight overlap on the back.
  3. Hot-glue the overlaps to secure; if desired, glue buttons to each band.
09 of 22

Snow-Covered Tabletop Christmas Trees

Snow-covered tabletop Christmas tree
Susan Parsons

The neutral shade of these easy-to-make tabletop Christmas trees will never go out of style.

  1. Draw a leaf pattern onto a piece of white paper; cut out.
  2. Trace the leaf shape onto thin cardboard and cut out enough pieces to cover a papier-mache cone (you'll need approximately 100 leaves to cover a 11-inch-tall cone and 150 leaves to cover a 13-inch-tall cone).
  3. Start at the base of the cone and hot-glue the cardboard leaves to the cone in rows, leaving the tips unglued. Alternate the spacing of the leaves, so each tip extends between the two leaves in the row below it. Finally, curl up the unglued tip of each leaf to give the tree dimension.
  4. After gluing, spray the tree with spray adhesive ($8, Michaels), then spray the tree with faux snow and shake off the excess.
10 of 22

Tabletop Tree Place Setting

Small tree name tag
Greg Scheidemann

Make your tabletop tree Christmas decoration do double duty! A mini potted tree decked with pinecones and mini red ornaments ($7, Walmart) makes a festive holiday place setting. Simply add a nametag with rustic twine ribbon.

11 of 22

Traditional Tabletop Christmas Trees

Buffet tabletop Christmas trees
Beth Singer

Instead of just one tabletop Christmas tree, place three side by side on a buffet table and elevate the center tree on a box hidden by black fabric for added presence. Decorate the classic evergreens however you'd like: We love an elegant statement of glittery snowflakes, red glass ornaments, white dove figurines, and a dazzling star topper.

12 of 22

Painted Pinecone Trees

Painted Pinecone Christmas tree
Jay Wilde

Different-size pinecones dipped in green paint make for a stunning tabletop Christmas tree display. Dip the pinecones in latex paint; let dry for several hours. Once they're ready to be showcased, stand them up inside white ceramic pots for a classic Christmas look.

13 of 22

Potted Evergreen Table Centerpiece

Small potted evergreen tree
Jean Allsopp

The smallest tabletop tree Christmas decoration is a just-right size for a simply decorated dining table. A color scheme of lime green and light blue adds warmth to the tiny evergreen display. Extra evergreen boughs strategically placed around the two pots showcase shimmery ornaments for a casual and stunning centerpiece.

14 of 22

Cardboard Christmas Trees

Cardboard Trees
Brie Williams

Use our free template to create your own inexpensive cardboard Christmas tree display. Outline the edges with satin ribbon for a pretty design you can be proud to display anywhere in your home.

15 of 22

Mini Felt Christmas Trees

Mini felt Christmas trees
Alise O'Brien

Create a Christmas tree trio fit for a winter wonderland with this cozy idea. Cut leaf shapes from ivory felt. Use hot glue to attach the shapes to felt-covered cones, starting at the base and working your way up. Mimic the look of heavy snow-covered boughs by gluing on the felt leaves in an imprecise pattern as shown.

16 of 22

Dazzling White Tabletop Christmas Tree

Dazzling White Tabletop Christmas Tree
Brie Williams

A faux white Christmas tree sports a special glow when decked out with strings of lights and a few glittery ornaments. Instead of a tree skirt, try a large wicker basket tree collar. The basket will hold the tree steady while lending a rustic look.

17 of 22

Blue-and-Silver Tabletop Christmas Tree

Blue Silver Tabletop Christmas Tree
Dana Gallagher

Rescue a few cut branches from your yard with this clever mini Christmas tree idea. Secure the branches in a container with florists foam ($6, Michaels) and cover the top with moss. Next, trim your mini tree with spray-painted pinecones hot-glued to the branches, velvet (or real) acorns, silver star ornaments, and a pretty blue chiffon ribbon for a simply gorgeous DIY garland.

18 of 22

Christmas Tree Table Decoration

Christmas Tree Table Decoration
Michelle Smith

Cut thin pieces of wood veneer into Christmas tree shapes for a fun (and no-mess) twist on the tabletop Christmas tree. Apply a layer of green chalkboard paint ($10, Michaels) to the shapes; let dry. Write holiday-inspired messages on the trees with chalk and "plant" them in small boxes filled with faux snow.

19 of 22

Rock Candy Christmas Tree

Rock Candy Christmas Tree
Jay Wilde

These crystallized-candy cones are a fun alternative to traditional tabletop tree Christmas decorations.

To make the cones:

  1. Pour three long horizontal rows of rock candy crystals in three or more colors on a baking sheet, placing the rows flush together. Pour the lightest color of crystals at the top of the baking sheet, the midrange color in the center, and the darkest color at the bottom.
  2. Wrap solid light-color cardstock around florist foam cones, slightly overlapping the paper at the back of the cone and securing it with hot glue. (Note: Do not apply the glue to the cone, which will melt. Large cones may need two sheets of paper to cover them completely.)
  3. Spread craft glue on the cones and roll them in crystals; let dry. Repeat, if needed, to cover cones completely with crystals. Fill in small gaps using hot glue and hand-placed crystals.
20 of 22

Rustic Tabletop Christmas Tree

Rustic Tabletop Christmas Tree
Kim Cornelison

Create an old-fashioned look for a side table with a 3-foot-tall tabletop Christmas tree in a copper pot. Adorn the tree with simple paper ornaments and display next to a stack of old books for rustic character.

21 of 22

Terrarium Tree

Terrarium Tree
Helen Norman

A large glass vase is all it takes to transform a mini pine tree into a stunning winter terrarium. Simply fill the bottom with sugar and place in a mini tree or greenery branch. Add to a tray with bright ornaments and sprigs of in-season berries.

22 of 22

Red, White, and Black Tree

Red White Black Tree
Jennifer McGlon

This year, keep the color scheme simple. A white tree pops when topped with red ornaments and a dark garland. Keep the theme going with simple wrapped gifts in one or two colors.

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