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HOW TO MAKE A SIMPLE WOODEN DOWEL CHRISTMAS TREE

Easy homemade wooden dowel Christmas tree that will make any room look amazing. Made with few supplies and sharing a dowel Christmas tree pattern that is simple to make.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.

This wooden dowel Christmas tree has that minimalist look I adore with a Scandinavian vibe. It has hygge written all over it!

For many years I have wanted a Christmas tree in my kitchen all decorated with kitchen themed ornaments. Well, this year, I finally found the perfect tree that wouldn't take up much space and doesn't need water.

This wooden tree last Christmas season was pinned over 1K times. It looks like I am not the only one who wants a wooden dowel tree.

I love that hygge feeling! If you like that cozy vibe of hygge then you might love this hygge Thanksgiving table or these minimalist Christmas decorations. The best part is you can use this tree next year and for years to come. This tree is perfect for small spaces.

But let's talk about a dowel Christmas tree DIY and jump right in on how to make a wooden Christmas tree.

How Do I Keep My Wooden Dowel Tree From Leaning?

Update: Recently, several people have shared that their wooden Christmas tree wobbles at the top or leans. This tree is three feet tall and is held up with a narrow metal rod. Because of its height, it sways at the top. Here are several suggestions by people who have made the tree to make it stand straight.

  • Use a set of lightweight ornaments and distribute them equally on each dowel to even out the weight.
  • Change the thinner size rod that is listed in this post to a thicker size rod (make sure your wooden balls fit over the rod if you do this)
  • If the tree still has a slight lean, turn it to the side where it appears straight.
  • Make the tree shorter, for example, 24.”

What Supplies Do I Need to Make a Wooden Dowel Tree?

Like with most projects, it is always good to gather all your supplies. Here is a list of what you will need for this easy DIY wood Christmas tree.

How to Make a Wooden Dowel Christmas Tree

Now that you have all your supplies let's start working through the dowel Christmas tree pattern. I've got step-by-step instructions for this great Christmas craft.

Dowel Christmas Tree Pattern

Let's get started with the details on how to make a three-foot dowel Christmas tree but feel free to take this pattern and make it shorter. Simply remove layers to the bottom with those dowels.

Start with the Base

Measure and cut three pieces of plywood to make the base (3 1/2″ x 6″, 5″ x 9″, 8 1/2″ x 12 1/2″)

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. First step measure and cut the base boards.

Sand the edges.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Sand the edges

Glue the middle board to the bottom board, placing the middle board in the center and then nail the two boards.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Nail the bottom and middle board

Glue the top board to the middle board, placing the top board in the center and then nail the top board to the centerboard.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Glue the boards together before you nail them.

Mark the center of the top board and then drill a 1/4″ hole all the way through the three boards. (If you use a thicker rod make sure to make this whole larger so the rod fits.)

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Drill a whole through all three boards.

For the next step, turn the base over and drill down over the hole with a 1/2″ drill bit or larger to make a hole for the hex nut to sit up inside the base.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Drill a larger hole in the bottom.

Build the Center and Branches

Thread the metal rod through the drill holes in the base and screw on the hex nut then pull it up into the hole flush.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Thread the steel rod through the base and attach a hex nut.

Measure and cut the dowels to the specifications (4 dowels at 20″, 4 dowels at 16″, 4 dowels at 12″, 4 dowels at 8″ and 3 dowels at 4″)

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Mark dowels to cut.

Sand the ends of the dowels.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.  Sand the edges of dowels

Mark the center of each dowel.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Mark the center of the dowels

Clamp a dowel to a table (preferably one that you don't mind drilling into) and drill straight down over the center mark with a 1/8″ drill bit and then again with a 1/4″ drill bit.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Drill a hole into the dowels

Repeat the drilling process for each dowel. Sand where you drill the holes.

Time to put together the tree. Lower five wooden balls down the metal rod.

Assemble the DIY Wooden Christmas Tree

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Build the tree with 5 wooden balls first.

Drop five balls down on the metal rod. Then drop the four 20″ dowels down the metal rod. Your first dowel branches are in place.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then four longest dowels

Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then five wooden balls

Lower the four 16″ dowels down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then wooden dowels

Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod. 

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then wooden balls

Drop the four 12″ dowels down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then wooden dowels

Lower four wooden balls down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then wooden balls

Drop the four 8″ dowels down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Then wooden dowels

Drop four wooden balls down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.  Add more wooden balls

Lower the three 4″ dowels down the metal rod.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Add more wooden dowels

Secure tree with another hex nut.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Add a hex nut to the top

Tie a long droopy bow on the top of the tree, leaving room for a dowel cap.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Add a bow to the top

Time for the final step. Place a wooden dowel cap on the top.

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Add wood cap to the top

Your easy homemade wooden dowel Christmas tree is complete. Now your wooden dowel Christmas tree is ready for ornaments.

Decorate the Dowel Christmas Tree

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments. Finished tree

You don't want to overload your branch dowels so we'll keep it simple. Add gingerbread ornaments on every other dowel starting with the bottom row and moving your way up. (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.
Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.

Add mini ball ornaments on all other dowels. (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)

Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.
Wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.

This was so much fun! And now you are finished and ready for the fun part. Deciding on where you will display your simple dowel Christmas tree.

Conclusion

My wood dowel Christmas tree is sitting on a table next to the rocking chairs in my kitchen sitting area. I love how it is not heavy-looking and has a cooking vibe with the little gingerbread ornaments. It is such a unique way to spread holiday cheer.

Table top wooden dowel Christmas tree designed for the kitchen with gingerbread ornaments.

And it fits in nicely with my other kitchen items like this antique breadboard. If you have never heard of a breadboard learn more at my post on what is a bread board and ways to decorate with them.

I also adore how the dowel Christmas tree blended nicely with last year's Ball mason jar wall hanging. There are directions on how to make this piece at the macrame Christmas decor with mason jars post.

Last, you can add any color bow and ornaments. If you decide to place your tree in a bathroom you could decorate it with beauty supply ornaments. Or if it is in a child's room, you could adorn it with miniature toy ornaments.

This Christmas dowel tree is also perfect for dorm rooms and apartments. Once the holidays are over you can take it apart and pack it in a long narrow box.

Looking for more Christmas decor DIY ideas? Check out these posts:

What room would you like a wooden dowel Christmas tree this holiday season? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Happy Decorating!

Happy Decorating!

wooden dowel christmas tree

How to make a wooden dowel Christmas tree.

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 4 hours
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes

How to make this easy wooden dowel Christmas tree with simple step by step instructions.

Materials

  • 1 threaded metal rod 1/4" x 36" long
  • 23 wood balls with hole all the way through 1" x 3/8" hole
  • 5 wooden dowels 5/8"
  • 1 wood dowel cap 1" x 1/4" hole
  • 2 hex nuts 1/4", 1/2" plywood for the base
  • 14 small gingerbread-style ornaments
  • 18 mini ball ornaments
  • white 1" grosgrain ribbon, thin twine

Tools

Instructions

    1. Measure and cut three pieces of plywood to make the base (3 1/2" x 6", 5" x 9", 8 1/2" x 12 1/2") wooden dowel Chrismtas tree

2. Glue the middle board to the bottom board placing the middle board in the center and then nail the two boardswooden dowel Christmas tree

3. Glue the top board to the middle board placing the top board in the center and then nail the top board to the centerboard.Nail boards together

4. Mark the center of the top board and then drill a 1/4" hole all the way through the three boardsMark and drill a hole through the center of the boards

5. Turn the base over and drill down over the hole with a 5/8" drill bit to make a hole for the hex nut to sit up inside the base.Drill hole in the bottom

6. Thread the metal rod through the base and screw on the hex nut then pull it up into the hole flush.Thread rod through hole

7. Cut dowels to the specifications (4 dowels at 20", 4 dowels at 16", 4 dowels at 12", 4 dowels at 8" and 3 dowels at 4")Measure and cut dowels to different sizes

8. Sand the ends of the dowelsSand the ends of the dowels

9. Mark the center of each dowelMark the center of the dowels

10. Clamp a dowel to a table (preferably one that you don't mind drilling into) and drill straight down over the center mark with a 1/8" drill bit and then again with a 1/4" drill bitDrill a hole in the center

11. Repeat the drilling process for each dowelwooden dowel Chrismtas tree

12. Sand where you drill the holesSand the ends of the dowels

13. Time to put together the treeDrop wooden balls first

14. Drop five wooden balls down the metal rodDrop wooden balls first

15. Drop the four 20" dowels down the metal rodDrop dowels next

16. Drop five wooden balls down the metal rodDrop more wooden balls down steel rod

17. Drop the four 16" dowels down the metal rodDrop more dowels

18. Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod 

19. Drop the four 12" dowels down the metal rod

20. Drop four wooden balls down the metal rod

21. Drop the four 8" dowels down the metal rod 

22. Drop four wooden balls down the metal rod

23. Drop the three 4" dowels down the metal rodDrop small dowels onto the rod

24. Secure tree with another hex nut add a hex nut to secure the tree

25. Tie a long droopy bow on the top of the tree leaving room for a dowel capTie a bow onto the tree

26. Place a wooden dowel cap on the topAdd a dowel cap

27. Add gingerbread ornaments on every other dowel starting with the bottom row and moving your way up (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)Add gingerbread ornaments

28. Add mini ball ornaments on all other dowels  (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)Add glass ornaments

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Kristen

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Hello,

Ours wobbles a LOT. Tightening screws doesn't work. If I were to do this again, I think I would get a thicker metal rod to maintain some structural integrity. Unfortunately, this means having to redo the entire project. Bummer.

Linda McDonald

Wednesday 14th of December 2022

Thanks for letting me know your tree is wobbly too. I am so sorry it has a lot of wobble. I had a slight wobble to my tree because it is so tall and skinny, but not enough that it was a problem. I think your idea of a thicker rod is a good idea. I will put my tree together and re-investigate to see if I can come up with a solution.

Janet Coughlin

Friday 23rd of September 2022

Hi! Thanks for your directions. Our 3 foot tree tends to wobble and has a little lean to it. Do you have any suggestions to get it straight? Thanks so much, Janet

Linda McDonald

Saturday 24th of September 2022

Because of its height, it may be a little wobbly and want to lean a little. Is yours leaning a lot? I don't recall it leaning so much that it was a problem. As far as any suggestions, try tightening the screw in the bottom as tight as you can. I hope this helps.

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