Traditionally, the Christmas tree is simply part of the Christmas decorations. But for more and more people, the absolute classic is becoming too boring. Then we look for alternatives to the Christmas tree. We'll show you a DIY idea that will bring glamor into your own four walls. Make a dress out of pine branches and cause a sensation among your friends. Because you definitely won't miss a festive atmosphere with this alternative. Even more so, you can be really creative when designing your fir tree dress. Give your design a special look - we'll show you some ideas for inspiration. Let yourself be inspired by the numerous possibilities!
The necessary materials for decorating fir branches
The craft project begins with the selection of materials and accessories. Its difficulty level is estimated as moderate. This means that beginner craftsmen have to dedicate at least a day to the fir tree dress and, above all, practice the correct use of wire and wire cutters. The craft enthusiasts and amateur gardeners can complete the task in an afternoon. By the way, children are not allowed to take part in crafting - there is a risk of injury and the little ones should not help for safety reasons. But once the dress made of fir branches is finished, you can join in the decorating.
The first step is to get the necessary materials. There is a list here:
1. Plastic dress form with fabric padding. Optional: mannequin
2. Wooden box (optional if the “Christmas tree” should be higher than the dress form).
3. Jute
4. Rabbit wire
5. Florist wire optional cord.
6. Cable Ties 10cm 100pcs: 2-3 packs
7. T-needle, 1 pack
8. 30 large fir branches, thuja, pine, boxwood, cedar, holly branches. Combine different branches for maximum effect.
9. Decoration with natural materials. Bring variety to your fir tree dress with other natural materials such as pine cones, winter berries, nuts and acorns.
10. Christmas tree decorations according to your own preferences. Or decorate the dress made of fir branches with bows, Christmas tree decorations such as Christmas angels, Christmas tree balls, poinsettias, various decorative figures such as Rudolf the reindeer or Santa. Similar to the Christmas tree, a garland is a must here too.
11. To decorate: glitter, snow spray
12. You can use battery-operated fairy lights for lighting.
The necessary accessories
You must also obtain the necessary accessories in advance:
Tape measure
Sheet metal shears
Scissors
Pruning shears
Safety gloves
Always work with gloves: Similar to gardening, there is a risk of injury in this case too. Never leave the scissors unsupervised if you have small children or pets. Take your time when crafting and always be careful when cutting.
Craft instructions
The first thing you need to do is determine the location of the fir dress. Once set up, it is difficult to move back and forth. Clear at least 2 square meters of living space so that you have enough space for crafting. Place the dress form in the middle. To be on the safe side, place painter's fleece on the floor. Prepare all materials and tools so that you always have quick access to them when needed. Exactly how many branches you will need depends closely on the volume and length of the fir tree. Basically, you need at least 20-30 large fir branches for a fir tree dress. You can order these directly from a Christmas tree culture.
And this is how the long fir dress is made:
1. First cut a piece of jute measuring 70 cm X 110 cm. Then wrap it around the dress form (basically make a top out of it). Fasten with T-pins.
2. Measure the required skirt length with the tape measure, place the wire mesh on the garden table or on the ground and cut it to size. Bend the edges inwards. You may need a helper for this step.
3. Attach the rabbit wire to the dress form with the cable ties and cord, bend the wire into the shape of a flared skirt. Tie the ends with the T-pins.
4. Attach the large pine branches to the rabbit wire in a spiral. Work from bottom to top. If there are any branches that stick out, you can trim them with pruning shears.
6. Continue until the pine branches have completely covered the wire. You can then add pine or thuja branches in individual places.
7. Decorate the Christmas tree according to your own preferences (we will show you several creative decoration ideas below).
8. Cover the ends of the pine branches with decorative ribbon. You can also hide the batteries of the spirally wrapped fairy lights under the decorative ribbon.
9. The battery-operated fairy lights have the decisive advantage that they do not require a direct power connection and therefore the fir tree dress can also be displayed outdoors. Plus, you don't have to trip over cables lying around.
10. You can dress up the jute top, show off the top with neck jewelry.
11. After Christmas, you can carefully remove the fir branches with the tree tree and store the wire skirt in the garage or basement until next year. If you like, you can make a floral dress again for Easter. Hobby gardeners can conjure up charming arrangements even in summer.
Properly store and care for a dress made of fir branches
Similar to the Christmas tree, the right location also plays a crucial role in the longevity of the Christmas tree dress. Be careful not to place it near a radiator. To prevent the needles from lying on the ground after just a week, the fir branches should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The perfect location is also a room where there is regular ventilation. The fir branches are guaranteed to stay fresher for longer if you place the fir tree dress on the terrace or at the entrance to the house. Cold, frost and wind cannot damage the fir branches - they are extremely weather-resistant and even last longer if they are kept in a cool place.
Proper care is crucial for the longevity of the fir tree. Spray the pine branches with water every day. Dissolve flower fresheners in the water; it will also keep the pine branches fresher for longer.
How long in the end?the fir branches stay fresh, and when they start to lose their needles also depends on the type of tree. The Nordmann fir offers a fragrant and long-lasting variant, which hardly needs needles and can last up to 6 weeks at home. The noble fir, which is in the middle price segment, proves to be a cheaper alternative. The blue spruce “only” lasts 3-4 weeks, but its needles shimmer with an attractive, slightly bluish undertone. The pine is also somewhere in the middle in terms of price, its branches look attractive, but the needles sting very strongly and are therefore not suitable for families with small children.
No matter which variety you choose: Fresh branches can be recognized by their shiny needles and slightly spicy scent. The longer the fir branches are exposed to a high room temperature and are transported, the faster they turn yellow and lose their needles. And if this happens, you can always replace individual branches with new ones.
Puristic decoration idea
You already have thisMade a fir dress, now you have to decorate it. Let your creativity run wild and choose a design that best suits your personal taste. First we present you a restrained fir dress in a purist style. Add winter highlights by spraying the dress with artificial snow. Create a cheerful Christmas atmosphere with a corsage made of music paper. All you have to do is make paper cones from the individual sheets of music and insert them into the decorative ribbon. Decorate the skirt of the fir dress with several feathered birds and two or three Christmas balls in muted colors. Bring variety with willow balls. Decorate according to the motto: “Less is more”, avoid too many decorative items such as garlands or fairy lights.
Cypress branches for outside
In the outdoor area you can even do without Christmas tree decorations completely. On the other hand, opt for an elegant top made of velvet and an organza ribbon with a checked pattern. A fir tree dress in itself is an exciting new alternative to the traditional Christmas tree, so you can let your creativity run wild and experiment with different branches. Pictured above: Cypress branches.
By the way, the idea of a fir tree dress comes from the USA, where many shops decorate their windows for Christmas. So that you don't have to clear away the tailor's busts and mannequins, some shop owners have come up with an alternative. The end result was so impressive that many customers implemented the idea in-house. Little by little the trend has developed and won the hearts of craft fans. It's no wonder that there are so many ideas on the topic on Pinterest.
Christmas dress with a difference: Glittering designs in pink and purple
Why just traditional in red and green? A fir tree dress can also be staged in the trendy color purple or in delicate pink. For the design pictured above, you can purchase artificial pine branches in white and then spray paint them with pink. An LED string of lights sets accents and enhances the original design. At the top, an organza ribbon creates exciting accents and the bolero adds the finishing touches to the fir dress.
But it can also be more splendid: above the pink corsage with artificial pearls, below the organza flowers, the Christmas angels with real feathers and the pink Christmas tree decorations. For optimal effect, you can spray the Christmas balls with glitter spray and achieve great effects this way.
Pure glamor: This is how the purple arrangement pictured above can be described. Give the Christmas tree an individual touch by experimenting with colors.
Vintage touch with fir dress in white and blue
Do you have vintage furnishings? Bring a nostalgic touch with a pine dress in blue and white. Decorate the fir branches with vintage Christmas tree decorations from your grandparents. Or you can successfully imitate the old look. There are many accessories in the trendy shabby chic living style, which has established itself as an inexpensive alternative to vintage.
Decorate a dress made of fir branches with natural materials
If you want to put the fir tree dress outside, then it's best to place iton natural materials: pine conesand winter berries are long-lasting and are guaranteed to create a cheerful atmosphere in the run-up to Christmas. Simply attach the natural materials to the fir branches with cable ties. By the way, if you leave the Christmas tree dress outside overnight and put it back in the house in a cool place for 3-4 hours in the morning, it will stay fresh longer. It is best not to sprinkle artificial snow on fir trees that are intended to decorate the entrance to the house. This means they can no longer absorb water and as a result the needles become brittle and fall quickly.
Whether magnificent in contrasting colors, glamorous with glitter effects or simple and understated purist: every fir tree dress can be showcased in a variety of ways in the interior. To keep the design fresher for longer, you should leave the fir branches in a dark and well-ventilated room for 1-2 days after purchase. Meanwhile, gather the remaining materials. You can start crafting on a rainy weekend. Our tip: Take your time, wear clothing with long sleeves and safety gloves. Don't let the children help with this. There is always a risk of injury when handling scissors.
If you need help with the craft, get an adult to help you. Follow our craft instructions step by step. Decorate the finished fir tree dress with seasonal natural materials such as winter berries and pine cones for a pure, natural design. Add variety with thuja or pine branches. Or opt for creative Christmas tree decorations made from feathers, wood and fabric – for a puristic overall look. Experiment with colors, fake snow and glitter for a modern look. Hide the florist wire with garland. Don't forget the battery-operated fairy lights - this way, your homemade alternative to the Christmas tree will also add excitement in the evening. Good lighting is an absolute must, especially if the Christmas tree is at the entrance to the house. We hope you enjoy crafting!
