I bought a little 4-foot Christmas tree and made it look fuller and taller with these simple tricks. I’ll show you how in this post. Let’s decorate!
Welcome to Dagmar’s Home, where I like to write about simple tips and tricks to make your home look amazing – on a budget.
Do you want to know how you can make a sad, little 4-foot tree…
…look like this beautiful, 6-foot Christmas tree?
This is the same tree — read on and I’ll show you how I transformed it into a beauty!
How to Make a Christmas Tree Look Fuller and Taller
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First of all, this Christmas tree almost didn’t happen.
I was determined to get a real Christmas tree this year, after being frugal and using a fake tree for years. This year I wanted a wider tree, and that wonderful pine smell.
The first tree lot I drove to was closed. So was the second one — they only sold to wholesalers.
The third lot was closed as well, and every tree in the fourth lot was six feet tall and way too wide for my little cottage.
I was looking for a smaller tree I could easily carry myself and fit into my car instead of strapping it to the top of the car.
I always try to find a way to be able to do things myself the easiest way, which meant getting a small tree, not a 6-foot tree.
Home Depot to the rescue. I found a $19 tree there that was easy to carry. Finally!
When I saw the extra branches they were cutting off the bottom of the large trees so they could fit into the tree stand, I asked one employee if I could take a few.
They were throwing them out, and they were happy to give me three.
I thought they’d come in handy for extra decor — but then I ended up using them for something else :)
At home, I put together our Christmas tree stand I had bought years ago at a yard sale and put the tree into it.
This is the exact Christmas tree stand. It’s super simple to put together and perfect for small to medium sized trees.
More importantly, this tree stand, compared to others, makes it easy to make the tree look fuller. I’ll show you why in a second.
To be fair, this little tree looked a bit sad once I cut off the netting around it.
I was looking at it. I walked around it…
And then I had an idea: I added an extra branch to the top of the tree with twist ties to create a prettier top.
As an avid recycler, I save bread bag twist ties, and this is the second time they came in handy.
Remember my post about my container garden, where I used them to secure the deer fencing to the posts?
And then I simply shoved the ends of the three branches into the extra space next to the tree stump in the stand.
This looked so much better!
Very important: Make sure you water your Christmas tree. Check daily that there is always enough water in your tree stand. And you need to mist the extra branches often to make sure they don’t get too dry so they don’t pose a fire hazard.
Also, protect your floor from water stains and scratches with a small carpet or similar under the tree stand — preferably with something that is also waterproof, or put a large garbage bag under the carpet to avoid water stains.
I like using a plastic shoe tray because the raised edge makes sure extra water can’t run on the floor. These are very affordable.
My son helped me to put warm white Christmas tree lights on the tree, and then I hung these pretty mercury glass ornaments on the tree.
Here are similar ones from Amazon.
I didn’t want to use any of our other ornaments this year to keep the decor really simple and classy.
The only other item I added to the tree was our straw star for the top that we usually use every year.
I added the ornaments in strategic spots to pull down certain branches and fill in holes, and then I trimmed some of the extra branches for a round shape.
For added height, I put the tree on a little table, and wrapped the stand and table with a plaid scarf.
What do you think? Not bad for a $19 tree, right?
The little table wasn’t really big enough to hold the tree stand, so I decided safety is more important than looks and ended up putting the tree back on the floor.
You can obviously put your tree on a side table or crate — just make sure it’s stable and safe.
I’m really happy with my real Christmas tree!
I finished decorating our living room today, and this is what it looks like right now.
Do you have a fake or real Christmas tree this year?
What’s your theme this year for your decorations?
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Don’t miss my Christmas Home Tour:
and this post: Amazing She Shed Kits You Can Buy on Amazon
Richella J Parham says
What a wonderful idea! Real trees can be so expensive. You’ve created the look of an expensive tree without much expense–brilliant!
Thank you for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Thank you for the feature, Richella!
Jolena says
Smart idea using the cuttings to tuck in and fill out your tree. I will have to keep that one tucked away for later! Visiting from Imparting Grace Blog Hop
Sarah Fuller says
wow. you really did transform this tree. Love the Tips.
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Thanks, Sarah!
Karen martin says
I like your style! Would you mind sharing the paint info of the living room walls? It’s that “just right” shade of light. Thanks!
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Hi Karen, oh my, I have to dig for the info. I’ll look!
Nicole says
What a great idea. So simple and brilliant to make your small tree look bigger for free. Thank you for sharing it at the #HomeMattersparty
Erlene Amat says
it looks wonderful with the added branches. I’ve actually thought about picking up branches from the various tree places around my house to make other things and I may just have to do it now. thanks for sharing your tip on Merry Monday. Pinned.
Jennifer H. says
You are a miracle worker! The tree came out amazing. I love the simplicity of using just a handful or so of similar ornaments instead of overloading a tree. Maybe i’ll try that this year!! once again, great job! Happy HOlidays!!
Patricia says
I have been back home in Tennessee for the 45th Christmas. I am elderly and remember Daddy cutting our Christmas cedar tree the Sunday before Christmas. I haven’t been able to put up a tree and now have a young kitten whose life is centered on climbing curtains, judging the distance to the square ceiling fixture in my bedroom, and breakneck speeding around my apartment. I know where I would find a tree, so, no tree. And I don’t REgret it at all.
Kenya Green says
How dO you keep the extra branches from dRying out?
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Make sure you mist the extra branches every day so they don’t dry out. Our extra branches were fine just as long as the rest of the tree by doing that, plus you want to make sure there is no danger of a fire.
Mary says
Thanks for the info. I’ve always had a real tree. I never would of thought to mist a fake tree. Senior moment.
Anne says
YoUr tree is beautiful. I love the ideas and the way you decorated it. Very niCe job!
Sorry, my first comment came out garbled.
Alayna says
Looks great! Putting the tree on top of a box is one of my favorite tricks. We have a big fake tree but I feel like the bottom branches are always too close to the ground so we put it up on a box and not only does that give us room for more presents, but it makes the tree look that much more impressive.
Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMatersParty
Amanda says
Your tree looks wonderful! We had a real tree last year that we got from Home Depot as well. I was SO excited when they told me I could take as many discarded branches as I wanted. Thank you for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Thanks for coming by, Amanda!
Sam says
I think you did a fabulous job with your tree! It looks adorable. And I’m in love with those ornaments as well…I wanted to get the same ones (but in the pink color palette) but alas, they were glass and with an ever curious, newly walking 1 year old around the house I just didn’t want to risk it. There’s always next year right?!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Your tree looks great. And the ornaments you chose are also very pretty and simple letting the tree shine. I have a fake one that looks to be about the size of yours and I put it on 2 giant speakers that we no longer use. They make a great tree stand because they are solid and heavy and make a very wide base for the tree. Merry Christmas to you .
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Hi Mary, thanks for your comment, and that’s a great idea to use the speakers!
Ilona says
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Eurem schönen Weihnachtsbaum. Ich wünsche Euch eine schöne Adventszeit. Viele liebe Grüss und Küsse Mama/Nani
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Danke, Mama!
antoinette says
really lovely
michelle says
we have a faux one due to extreme allergies of hubby and son. I luv short trees, I don’t know why but I just do!
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says
Your tree looks lovely ~ such a clever idea to add the extra branches! Blessings, Cecilia
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Thanks for coming by, Cecilia!
Rita C at Panoply says
It looks awesome, Dagmar! Growing up, we had really high ceilings which dwarfed even a 6-7′ tree. My dad built a box in which the tree was placed, much like yours, and it was perfect for putting presents under (there were 9 kids!). Your tree brings back fond memories for me. We do faux these years, but I always bring in fresh branches for added touches and the fragrance. Enjoy your Christmas magic!
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Thanks for your lovely comment, Rita, as always!