Deck Your Halls With One Of These 18 DIY Christmas Tree Ideas
It's time that time of year again!
That time where you pimp the halls with jingling sleigh bells, fluffy fake holly, and extra bright bulbs, while letting your peeps know that you're all about that Christmas life.
So as you don your gay apparel and head to your favorite retailer for your Christmas needs, just know that you don't have to purchase a tree to look like a holiday boss. These DIY Christmas tree ideas can take your decorating game from zero to hero, and it probably won't cost you that much cash.
Whether you live in a tiny apartment, a dorm room, or in 50 Cent's mansion (because you never know with that guy), you can use your creativity to make a tree so dope that the neighbors will suck their teeth and roll their eyes at your fa-la-la-la flair.
Tell them don't be mad. Snatch out their glue guns, their holly jolly spirit, and get into one of these 45 DIY Christmas tree ideas.
1. THE CARDBOARD TREE
This cute little Christmas tree was done by Madame Citron, whose whole website is in French. Take a look at the tutorial here, and use this website to translate the webpage from French to English.
2. THE TRIANGLE TREE
If 3D cardboard trees aren't your thing, you can cut a triangle, and pimp it out with some string lights from the Dollar Tree.
3. THE BOOK TREE
Take the books off of your shelf, and make a tree that Toni Morrison would be jealous of.
4. THE PVC TREE
You can have a Home Depot associate slice up some PVC for you before you leave the store if you want to begin this decoration. Stick it on a plywood board, and decorate with bulbs. Click here to get the tutorial.
5. THE OFFICE TREE
This is the perfect tree for holiday decor at the office. You can also make this tree out of those pages of paper that you took out of the printer, then threw in the recycle bin. Or you can use those newspapers and mailing advertisements that is cluttering your mailbox. Check out the one this woman did with newspaper.
Lightly spray paint your newspapers gold for a chic finish. You can read the tutorial here.
6. THE PINECONE TREE
Pine cones and a few lights are all you need for this holiday work of art.
Pine cone trees are rather easy to make. According to Country Living, the only thing you need for this tree is a cone-shaped foam base, and wooden floral picks. Take a look at the full tutorial here to see who you can make this tree larger.
7. THE WINE CORK TREE
This wine cork tree is actually pretty easy to make. Take a look at a beginner version of this craft at this tutorial.
8. THE BEER BOTTLE TREE
You can make this beer bottle tree, and then invite friends over to drink it with you. Now that's how you throw a holiday party!
Here is a tutorial for this kind of tree that will get you started. But if you really want to go all out, check out this one that has a light show.
9. THE STRING LIGHT TREE
This quick. super easy tree only requires a few tools. Visit marthastewart.com to see how you can put this up with hooks and mini lights.
10. THE MONEY TREE
You can make this Christmas tree, and give it to mom or dad on Christmas morning. Just be careful who you let in your house before you give it to them. If you're feeling really crafty, this tutorial should get you started.
For a less complex version of a money tree, you can make a tree like you would find in this tutorial, and then make a cute little tree farm like this one below.
Or you can make a lot of money trees.
11. THE COTTON CHRISTMAS TREE
This is one is made of a cone and cotton pads, and it's one of the prettiest trees on the list, and it could be a fun project to do with the kids. Catch the tutorial here, and see how you can decorate it with beads.
12. THE PILLOW TREE
A few pillows and a star will make you look like a Fashion Institute star. Get a look at how to sew a basic pillow here.
13. THE TEE PEE TREE
This simple tree takes no time to execute. Instead of wood, you can use this tutorial to make a tee pee tree with PVC pipes, and wrap it with garland and lights.
14. THE DESIGNER TOMATO STAND TREE
Grab a tomato plant cage and a bunch of lights for this cute creation. Use this tutorial to get you started.
This tomato cage tree tutorial can make you look like you have a real christmas tree in your living room.
15. THE ORIGAMI TREE
This origami paper tree may look complex, but it's actually not that hard to make. It just takes a lot of dedication to execute. Use this tutorial to get you started.
16. THE TIRE TREE
Just add several tires of all sizes, paint it green, and use some decorations to make this tree look good in any garage.
17. THE PICTURE WALL TREE
18. THE HANGING BULB TREE
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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