Vintage Tinsel Tree DIY

If you love a bit of nostalgia at Christmas, this Vintage Tinsel Tree DIY is such a fun holiday project. With shimmering silver tinsel, tiny ornaments, and twinkling lights, it has all the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas tree in a smaller tabletop size.

I’ve always loved the look of vintage Christmas trees, especially the delicate branches and simple decorations. For this project, I recreated that nostalgic style using wire branches wrapped in tinsel to make my own DIY tinsel tree.

The finished tree is perfect for displaying on a table, mantel, or dresser, and you can decorate it with miniature ornaments and lights to give it your own look.

If you enjoy making vintage-inspired Christmas decorations, here are a few more of my tree projects:

• Feather Tree DIY
• How to Make a Fleece Cone Christmas Tree
• Vintage Style Feather Tree

This project is a little more involved than some of my Christmas crafts, so I recommend spreading it out over a couple of days. Once you get the branches assembled and wrapped in tinsel, you’ll see the vintage tree start to take shape.

One of these days, I’d still love to buy an authentic feather tree, but until then, I’m pretty happy with my handmade tinsel version.

How to Make a Vintage Tinsel Tree

This tinsel Christmas tree is made by creating individual wire branches, attaching them to a center trunk, and wrapping them with tinsel. I used different branch lengths to create the graduated shape of a traditional Christmas tree.

Below, I’ll walk you through the supplies, measurements, and steps I used so you can make your own.

Tinsel Tree Size and Branch Measurements

Before you begin, it helps to have all the branch measurements planned out. My finished DIY tinsel tree is about 18 inches tall and has seven tiers of branches.

The branches gradually get longer as you move down the tree, which creates its tapered Christmas tree shape. I spaced each tier about 1 to 1½ inches apart.

When cutting the wire, make it about ½ inch longer than the finished branch measurement listed below. You’ll need that extra wire for wrapping and attaching the branches to the trunk.

Here are the measurements I used for my tree:

• 1st tier: Three 1½-inch branches. Cut one wire 3½ inches long and one wire 2 inches long.
• 2nd tier: Four 2-inch branches. Cut two wires 4½ inches long.
• 3rd tier: Four 3-inch branches. Cut two wires 6½ inches long.
• 4th tier: Six 4-inch branches. Cut three wires 8½ inches long.
• 5th tier: Six 5-inch branches. Cut three wires 10½ inches long.
• 6th tier: Eight 6-inch branches. Cut four wires 12½ inches long.
• 7th tier: Eight 7-inch branches. Cut four wires 14½ inches long.
• Tree trunk: Cut one 36-inch piece of wire and bend it in half.

These are the measurements for my 18-inch tree, but you can use the same basic method to adjust the proportions if you’d like to make your tinsel tree a little smaller or larger.

Supplies You’ll Need

Here are the supplies I used to make my vintage-style tinsel Christmas tree:

• Wire for the Tree Trunk and Branches
• Thin Wire for Tying Branches to Trunk
• Wire Cutters
• Tinsel Garland
• 1 Chopstick
• Glue Gun
• Brown Embroidery Thread
• Wooden Plaque (Round or Square)
• Drill
• Wood Glue

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Tinsel Tree

Now that you have your measurements and supplies ready, it’s time to start assembling the tree. I found it easiest to begin with the trunk and then work from the top tier of branches down.

Step 1: Make the Tree Trunk

Cut a 36-inch piece of wire and bend it in half, making sure the two sides are about the same length.

Twist the two wires together a few times. Doubling and twisting the wire gives the trunk more strength and creates a sturdy base for attaching the branches.

Step 2: Cut and Attach the First Tier of Branches

For the first tier at the top of the tree, cut one piece of wire 3½ inches long and another piece 2 inches long.

Find the center of the 3½-inch wire and position it about an inch from the top of the tree trunk. Wrap the wire around the trunk and twist it securely into place.

Gently spread the two ends in opposite directions to create two branches.

Next, position the 2-inch wire at the same level and wrap it securely around the trunk. Shape the wire outward to create the third branch.

You should now have three branches forming the first tier of your tinsel tree.

Step 3: Secure the Branches and Add the Remaining Tiers

Once the first three branches are in place, use the thinner wire to wrap around the branches and tree trunk. This will hold the branches securely in position and keep them from shifting.

Next, move on to the second tier. Cut two pieces of wire 4½ inches long. Center each piece on the trunk, wrap it around securely, and spread the ends outward to create four branches.

Use the thinner wire again to secure the branches to the trunk.

Continue working your way down the tree, following the branch measurements above. Space each tier about 1 to 1½ inches apart, gradually using longer branches as you move toward the bottom of the tree.

As you add each tier, adjust the branches so they’re evenly spaced around the trunk. This will help create the open, symmetrical shape of a vintage tinsel tree.

Step 4: Wrap the Branches With Tinsel

Once all the wire branches are attached, you can start adding the tinsel.

Beginning where a branch meets the trunk, use a small dab of hot glue to secure the end of the tinsel. Carefully wrap the tinsel around the wire, working your way from the trunk toward the tip of the branch.

Try to keep the tinsel snug and evenly wrapped so the wire underneath doesn’t show through.

Once you reach the end of the branch, secure the tinsel with another small dab of hot glue.

Repeat this process on each branch until all the wire branches are completely covered with tinsel.

Step 5: Attach a Chopstick for Support

Attach a chopstick to the bottom portion of the wire tree trunk. I used hot glue to secure mine in place.

The chopstick gives the trunk extra support and creates a sturdier base for attaching the tree to the wooden stand. Make sure the chopstick is straight and aligned with the trunk before the glue sets.

Step 6: Wrap the Tree Trunk

Starting at the bottom of the tree, wrap the brown embroidery thread tightly around the trunk, working your way toward the top.

Keep the thread close together as you wrap so that the wire underneath is completely covered. Continue wrapping until the entire trunk is covered.

I used one package of embroidery thread for my 18-inch tree.

When you reach the end, secure the thread to the trunk with a small dab of hot glue.

Step 7: Drill a Hole in the Wooden Base

Choose a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the bottom of your tree trunk. You want the opening to be snug enough to hold the tree securely in place.

Mark the center of your wooden base and drill the hole straight down into the wood. Keep the drill perpendicular to the base as you work.

This part is important—if you drill the hole at an angle, your tinsel tree may lean instead of standing straight.

Step 8: Attach the Tree to the Base

Add a small amount of wood glue inside the drilled hole, then gently insert the bottom of the tree trunk.

Check the tree from a few different angles to make sure it is standing straight. Make any adjustments before the glue begins to set.

Once you’re happy with the position, leave the tree undisturbed until the wood glue is completely dry.

What Is a Tinsel Tree or Feather Tree?

Feather trees are old-fashioned artificial Christmas trees that originated in Germany in the late 1800s. Traditionally, they were made with dyed goose feathers that were wrapped around wire branches to resemble the needles of a Christmas tree.

The open, delicate branches gave families room to display ornaments and made feather trees quite different from the fuller artificial Christmas trees we see today.

My vintage tinsel tree is inspired by the shape and construction of these traditional feather trees, but instead of feathers, I wrapped the wire branches in shimmering silver tinsel.

Tips for Making a Vintage Tinsel Tree

A few little details can make a big difference when you’re putting your tree together.

• Measure the branches before cutting. Keeping the branches gradually longer from top to bottom creates the tapered shape of the tree.
• Space the tiers evenly. I left about 1 to 1½ inches between each tier.
• Secure the branches well. The thinner wire helps keep each tier from shifting once it’s attached to the trunk.
• Wrap the tinsel snugly. Keeping the tinsel close together helps hide the wire underneath.
• Check that the trunk is straight. Before the wood glue dries, look at the tree from several angles and adjust it if necessary.
• Take your time. This isn’t a project I would rush. I found it easier to work on it over a couple of days.

Decorating Your Tinsel Christmas Tree

Once your tree is finished, the fun part is adding the decorations. I kept mine simple with tiny ornaments and lights so you can still see the silvery tinsel branches.

Small vintage-style ornaments are especially pretty on this type of tree because they don’t overwhelm the delicate branches. I have a simple Vintage Style Christmas Ornaments DIY if you’d like to make some of your own.

I love the finished tree displayed on a tabletop where all those little details can be seen.

If you enjoy making small holiday trees, you might also like my DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree, another handmade tree that’s pretty displayed on a table or mantel.

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Tinsel Trees

Can I Make a Tinsel Tree in a Different Size?

Yes. My finished tinsel tree is about 18 inches tall, but you can make yours smaller or larger. The important thing is to keep the branches gradually increasing in length as you move down the tree so you maintain that classic tapered shape.

What Kind of Tinsel Should I Use?

I used silver tinsel garland that could easily be wrapped around the wire branches. Look for tinsel that isn’t too thick or bulky, since you want to be able to see the shape of the individual branches.

How Long Does It Take to Make a DIY Tinsel Tree?

I recommend spreading this project out over a couple of days. Cutting and attaching the wire branches takes some time, and wrapping each branch with tinsel is probably the most time-consuming part. It’s a great project to work on a little at a time.

How Do I Keep My Tinsel Tree From Leaning?

Make sure your trunk is straight before attaching it to the wooden base. When drilling the hole, keep the drill perpendicular to the wood so the hole doesn’t end up at an angle. After adding the wood glue and inserting the trunk, check the tree from several directions and adjust it before the glue dries.

How Should I Store a Handmade Tinsel Tree?

Store your tinsel tree upright in a container that’s large enough that the branches aren’t crushed. I would loosely cover it to keep dust off the tinsel and avoid placing anything heavy on top of it. Before displaying it again, gently reshape any branches that may have shifted during storage.

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I’ve always had a soft spot for vintage Christmas decorations, and this little tinsel tree makes me smile every time I bring it out. I love the old-fashioned shape, the sparkle of the tinsel, and especially how it looks once I add the tiny ornaments and lights. It took a little patience to make, but now it’s one of those handmade Christmas decorations I look forward to pulling out each year.

Happy Crafting!

Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com