How to Make a Driftwood Christmas Tree

The driftwood Christmas tree provides rustic charm, eco-friendly decor, and is an ideal choice for meaningful holiday celebrations. Incorporating natural materials with a personalised touch, driftwood trees beautifully capture the season’s spirit without needing a traditional Christmas tree.

In this article, we’ll give you an amazing decor idea on how to make a driftwood Christmas tree that is easy to assemble at home.

So, if you:

• wondering how to make a Christmas tree out of driftwood;
• interested in driftwood Christmas decorations;
• have always wanted to make a driftwood Christmas tree but don’t know exactly how;

Then, read on! This post is just for you.

Benefits of a driftwood Christmas tree

Opting for a driftwood Christmas tree is an environmentally friendly choice, especially if you gather driftwood responsibly or purchase it from eco-conscious sources. Using driftwood is a sustainable alternative to traditional Christmas trees, reducing the demand for felled trees and minimising waste. Additionally, driftwood decor often requires fewer synthetic materials and can be repurposed, adding value through its low-impact and eco-conscious design.

What you need to make a DIY driftwood Christmas tree

• Driftwood sticks – preferably, about 30-35 pieces;
• A wood base – it can be a slice of log or stable driftwood chunk, as well;
• Topper – a starfish will look amazing;
• A reinforcing/dowl rod – the length is optional; 

Tools to make a driftwood Christmas tree

• Glue – any wood glue will do the trick.
• A drill – that should be the same size as the dowel;
• Some protective gear for your eyes (as you’ll be drilling holes into wood).

How to make a driftwood Christmas tree

• Step 1: Collect your driftwood branches – Make sure to pick the straightest pieces as possible. All of them should be of a different size so that you have some large ones that will be at the bottom of your driftwood Christmas tree and some shorter pieces, which will be placed towards the top of your DIY Christmas tree. If you can’t imagine how the tree will look, then, lay the pieces down and arrange them according to their length. This will give you an idea of what your future driftwood Xmas tree will look like. Grab some extra pieces, as some of them can break during the process.
• Step 2: Make a hole in each driftwood piece – Before starting your DIY project, make sure to give your pieces of wood a good clean (with water/bleach) and leave them outside to dry completely. Now, let’s make a driftwood Xmas tree – start by drilling holes in the middle of each branch. To make sure that each piece of wood will easily slide down the rod, use a larger drill bit. You also need to drill a hole into the topper, in our case, this is a starfish so be careful as they’re a bit fragile. 
• Step 3: Drill a hole into the base – If you’re using a log as a base, drill a hole in the middle at least 3/4 of the way through, by using a drill bit of the same width as the reinforcing rod. Place the rod into the hole and to make sure it fits perfectly without swaying, tap it in with the help of a hammer. Anyway, if you are about to use a driftwood chunk as a base also drill a hole on the base, but use a doweling rod instead of reinforcing. To make the rod stable, you need to use glue at the base and let it dry overnight. 
• Step 4: It’s time to assemble your driftwood tree – Start from the longest to the shortest one. To achieve that realistic and 3-dimensional look, stack each piece in a different direction – about 30 to 60-degree rotation from the lower branch is perfect. If you have any curved pieces, point the curves up, as this will also make your tree one idea more realistic. If you don’t want branches to wiggle, you can glue them one to another. However, if you leave them unglued, it will be easier for you to store your driftwood Xmas tree. For example, you can rotate them in a straight line (2-dimensional arrangement), so it takes less space. 
• Step 5: As a final touch, put the starfish – Here you have two options, to make a hole into the starfish or simply glue it to the top. The second will not look that aesthetic, but at least the method will prevent you from breaking your topper. 

As you can see, making a driftwood Christmas tree tree is not that hard. Many non-traditional Christmas tree ideas are worth giving a chance. Driftwood Christmas trees are the most eco-friendly and at the same time creative decor.

How to make a driftwood reindeer?

The driftwood reindeer is a delightful and eco-friendly way to add a touch of rustic charm to your holiday decor. Both indoors and outdoors, driftwood reindeer capture a natural, handmade aesthetic.

Collect driftwood pieces of varying sizes that match each part of the reindeer. For example:

• Body: A medium-to-large piece for the main structure.
• Legs: Four shorter, straight pieces that can support the driftwood reindeer’s body.
• Head: A smaller piece that’s proportional to the body.
• Antlers: Two branched or curved pieces for the driftwood reindeer’s antlers.

Laying out the pieces on the ground first can help you visualise and plan before assembling. Smooth the driftwood pieces using sandpaper to eliminate rough patches and splinters. This step ensures a safer assembly process and a polished look.

Start by attaching the four leg pieces to the underside of the main body piece. Position them securely, making sure they’re evenly spaced for balance. For a stable reindeer, use wood glue or a drill and screws to fasten the legs to the body. Allow the glue to dry completely if used.

Choose a piece for the head and connect it to the front of the body at an angle, creating a natural neck position. Use screws or wood glue to secure it in place. Position the antler pieces on the top of the head, ensuring they’re balanced and symmetrical. For an extra-secure hold, use wood glue in combination with screws, especially if placing the reindeer outdoors.

Attach a red pom-pom or small piece of red fabric to the front of the head for a Rudolph-style look. Add a small bell or ribbon around the neck for a festive touch.

Would you like a real Christmas tree delivered to your doorstep?

Having some family time and teaching your kids about teamwork, while making your driftwood Christmas tree doesn’t stop you from decorating your home with a real one, of course! So, why not take advantage of our Christmas tree delivery service this coming holiday season? Fantastic Services works with some of the best growers and can supply you with a quality non-drop Nordmann Fir tree or a pot-grown Norway Spruce, on a day that suits you best. Delivery is free of charge if you are located within the M25 zone. So, hurry up because Christmas is just around the corner!

Did you find our post helpful? Then, why not share it with your friends? Do you have your own tips on how to make a driftwood Christmas tree? Please, tell us in the comments below!

Image source: Shutterstock / marilyn barbone