December 1 is nearing ever closer and for those of us who haven't caved and put up the tree already, it is time to get serious about decorating for Christmas ahead of next weekend – a.k.a the great 'treekend'.
When sprucing up the house for the holidays, the Christmas tree often takes center stage. But while we might spend hours fluffing branches, stringing lights, and hanging ornaments, the base of the tree is often overlooked and, according to the experts, it could just be the thing you're missing to make it look professionally styled.
An unsightly stand or a mismatched tree skirt can detract from the festive curation you've worked so hard to perfect. So to help you elevate every inch of your tree, we’ve consulted top festive experts for their favorite ways to cover, conceal, and complete your Christmas tree this year.
7 Chic Ways To Finesse The Bottom Of Your Christmas Tree
'There’s no escaping the fact that the base of trees, whether artificial or real, often look unattractive and a bit of a let-down,' says Gisela Graham, creative director of Gisela Graham. 'The most obvious way to change that is to hide the bottom by covering it with something nicer to look at!'
From easy-to-buy collars and skirts to more unique, DIY takes; here are our 7 expert-led ways to cover the base of your Christmas tree to help you avoid making a Christmas tree decorating mistake this year.
1. Try a flouncy tree skirt
One of the simplest ways to enhance the base of your tree is to give it a party skirt of its own. Consider materials and colors that reflect your home’s style, whether it's a cozy, rustic burlap skirt for a farmhouse look or a sleek, striped skirt for a more contemporary take.
'Tree skirts are designed for the task and come in a variety of shapes and styles including those made from fabric that simply wrap around the base, to rigid ones such as wicker that clip together at the back,' advises Gisela.
They're particularly great not only because a tree skirt conceals the often unappealing stand but also adds a touch of elegance or whimsy to your Christmas tree with your desired print, shape, and color.
This candy-themed tree skirt from Furbish Studio for Anthropologie is one for the maximalists and fun-seekers at Christmas. With bold colors and quirky motifs, it's sure to delight.
Quilted blankets and cushions are all the rage right now and this handmade Christmas tree skirt takes that one step further adding some country charm to your tree.
Add a Farmhouse finishing touch to your display with this ruffled tree skirt. Made from jute, it has a button closure for a tailored finish and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth.
2. Or a more structured collar
Tree collars are a fantastic option for those who want a tidy, minimalist appearance to their tree base. They eliminate the faff of repositioning a skirt and, unlike a skirt that drapes, a collar’s rigid structure ensures it stays put, even in busy households with children or playful pets.
'Conceal the stand of artificial Christmas trees beneath a rattan or wicker Christmas tree ring in a natural-themed setting or add luster with a stylish metal-hinged tree ring,' suggests Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography and film at Cox & Cox.
Tree rings are designed to fit snugly around the base of your tree, providing a polished and streamlined look that is ideal for smaller spaces. Made from materials like metal, wood, or woven fibers, they are an increasingly popular purchase for hiding the base of your tree trunk.
This hand-woven natural rattan tree base cover features a detailed scalloped trim for a whimsical take on traditional structured collars. It comes it two handy pieces to slip it round the tree once decorated.
Elegant and antique-inspired, this silver tree collar from Joanna Gaines' Magnolia features a hand-drawn design that has then been perforated into the metal for a festive silhouette.
For more contemporary Christmas decorators, this on-trend checkerboard tree collar from Amazon is a great find. Adding a touch of retro charm, it is made up of 5 individual pieces for easy storing.
3. Put it in a pot - and paint it
If you can find one big and sturdy enough, consider placing your Christmas tree in a decorative pot or planter.
When using a pot or planter, it’s important to secure the tree properly with a tree stand too. You’ll need to nest the stand within the pot and stabilize it using items like sandbags or stones to ensure the tree stays upright while still looking effortlessly stylish. We also suggest lining the interior of the pot with waterproof material to protect it from potential leaks or sap, and to ensure you can keep a real tree watered.
And don't forget to decorate it. The pot has been painted to match the Christmas living room decor but you could try wrapping it in a giant bow or fairy lights.
4. Pack out the bottom with moss
'If you don’t fancy splashing out on a skirt or collar, then some clever thinking at home could be just as rewarding,' suggests Gisela. 'Take a look around at things you might already have that could work: crates, baskets, big pots from the garden, craft paper, beautiful lengths of fabric, etc., and get creative.
For a natural and creative way to elevate your tree’s base, consider placing faux moss like this Fake Moss Artificial Moss from Amazon around the base. This creates a lush, organic look that feels both festive and unique.
Moss works especially well with themes that emphasize natural materials and a muted color palette, such as Scandi-inspired or woodland-style Christmas decor.
5. Create a display with logs
Logs are a fantastic way to give your tree a rustic yet curated look. Whether you arrange some small firewood logs, birch branches, or larger pieces of driftwood, a neat stack of logs can add natural texture and character to your festive setup.
To enhance the display, you can incorporate other decorative elements like faux snow, pinecones, or sprigs of evergreen. Consider adding some fairy lights or battery-operated LED candles (no open flames here!) in hurricane lanterns among the logs. The warm glow will create a magical, fireside-inspired vibe.
'If the tree is real, then you’ll need to remember that access for watering will be necessary,' Gisela advises.
6. Use a giant woven basket
An alternative to a ceramic or tin pot is to place your tree in a big woven or wicker basket for a rustic look.
A basket creates an instant feeling of coziness and grounds the tree beautifully and are particularly effective if you want a natural, earthy vibe that feels relaxed yet modern. Select a basket with a wide enough opening to fit the tree stand comfortably. If the basket is too deep, you can elevate the stand inside by filling the bottom with sturdy materials like bricks or wood blocks and don’t forget to secure the tree to keep it stable.
Added bonus: if your tree is real, a basket is a really great way catch-all for all the falling pine needles meaning you'll have to hoover less. Win-win.
If you're looking to buy a tree that's ready to go, this large artificial faux pine designed with Studio McGee for Target comes ready nestled in a woven rattan basket.
7. And of course add plenty of presents
'The base of your Christmas tree deserves as much thought as the star at the top,' says Lucy Uren, creative director & founder of Rowen & Wren. 'A beautifully crafted stand provides a sturdy yet stylish foundation, while thoughtfully wrapped presents piled high will add a sense of festive abundance.'
No Christmas tree base is complete without a beautiful array of presents. Thoughtfully wrapped gifts not only bring joy to your loved ones but with the right combination of colors, textures, and arrangements, your presents can become an extension of your holiday theme.
Gisela Graham suggests wrapping up a few faux presents to cover the base, too. 'A variety of different-sized empty boxes will do. Add plenty of ribbon, craft or interesting wrapping papers, and decorations in place of tags and then stack them around the bottom of the tree to give color and interest, and provide an extra layer of disguise for the base.'
This set of 3 wrapping paper rolls from Amazon looks so premium. With a whimsical ribbon bow design, solid matte green, and a red candy stripe, you'll get approx 25 gifts wrapped with this set.
Bows and ribbons are a must this year. This bow topper kit by Martha Stewart has a saving of $8 at T.J.Maxx right now and will instantly transform any basic gift wrap.
Take your gift wrap up a notch with these gilded paper gift tags in the shape of festive fruits. At $10 for a set of 10, these are an inexpensive way to elevate simple wrapping.
This year, don’t let the base of your tree fade into the background. Whether your aesthetic leans traditional or modern, you’ll find inspiration here to ensure your Christmas tree shines from top to bottom.
