The Upside-Down Tree Collar Hack: Turn a $40 Woven Tree Collar Into a Christmas Tree Basket
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If you‘ve been scrolling holiday decor this year, you may have seen that Christmas tree baskets are everywhere. It's a big woven basket that sits around the base of the tree, and it's a beautiful alternative to a Christmas tree skirt or blanket. The problem is the price, because most of the ones I love are well over $130. So I found a woven tree collar for under $40 and tried a hack that gives you that same Christmas tree basket look for way less.
Here's the hack: instead of putting the wicker tree collar around the tree stand the usual way, you flip it upside down so the wide opening faces up. Then you fill it with your coziest throw blankets. Suddenly it looks like a full, chunky basket sitting under your tree, it hides the stand, and adds some cozy texture to your home.
Below I'm sharing the exact tree collar I used, how to fill it so it looks full, how to keep using it after Christmas, and 12 Wayfair finds to help you decorate on a budget this holiday season.
Woven textures are a big part of how I decorate for the holidays. If you want to see how I mix them with brass bells, cedar garland, and vintage pieces, take a peek at my modern organic, vintage Christmas decor home tour.
How the Upside-Down Tree Collar Hack Works
A Christmas tree collar is made to wrap around your tree stand and hide it. Most woven tree collars are wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, so they hug the base of the tree. When you turn one upside down, the wider side ends up on top and the whole thing reads as a basket instead of a collar.
Set up your tree in its stand first, and make sure it's straight before you add anything around it.
Flip your woven tree collar upside down and place it around the stand. If it opens or comes in panels, close it around the base the same way you normally would.
Tuck your throw blankets into the space between the collar and the tree trunk, letting them spill over the top edge.
If your tree collar has a notch for a cord, make sure to cover it up with a blanket or put it at the back of the tree.
Fluff the lowest branches so they rest over the blankets and the basket looks like it belongs there.
That's it. It takes about five minutes, and the result looks like one of those pricey Christmas tree baskets you have been seeing all over Pinterest.
The Wicker Tree Collar I Used
A quick sizing tip: measure the widest part of your tree stand before you order. You want the collar to fit around the stand with a few inches to spare so you have room to tuck in blankets. If it doesn’t fully fit over the stand, cover the gap up with blankets and/or put your tree in a corner to hide it (like I did).
What I love most is that it doesn't look cheap. Up close it has the same texture you get from the high-end rattan tree collar options, and once it's filled with blankets nobody would guess it cost less than $40. If you have been wanting a Christmas tree basket collar but couldn't justify spending over $130 on one, this is the one I would grab.
How to Fill Your Christmas Tree Basket So It Looks Full
The blankets are what make this hack work, so here is how I styled mine.
Start with two or three chunky knit or faux fur throws. Thicker blankets fill the space faster and look more luxe.
Mix textures but keep the colors in one family. Cream, oatmeal, and soft gray look expensive together, while red plaid and cream feel more traditional.
Fold each blanket loosely and tuck one long edge down into the collar, then let the rest drape over the top.
Go around the tree in sections so every side looks full, especially the side that faces your room.
If your blankets don't fill the space, tuck an old pillow or a rolled towel underneath to give them some lift.
You can also tuck a few wrapped gifts in front once the blankets are in, which makes the whole tree look layered and finished. If your blankets are all neutral and you want a pop of color, add a big red bow to the tree. I shared the oversized one I'm using this year, plus lots of ways to style it, in my indoor/outdoor big red bow for Christmas post.
12 Wayfair Finds to Help You Decorate for Christmas on a Budget
If you want to finish the look around your tree, Wayfair has so many affordable holiday pieces right now. I rounded up 12 of my favorite budget finds, from throw blankets that are perfect for filling your Christmas tree basket to stockings, garland, and cozy accents for the rest of your home.
2. Woven Christmas Tree Collar, $40
3. Gingham Cotton Duvet Cover Set, $76
4. Bedsure Striped Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket, $30
5. Latitude Run Rondo 9-Drawer Natural Wood Dresser, $440
6. Hand Block Printed Linen Tree Skirt, $57
7. Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Clove Bath Mat, $33
8. Bungalow Rose Decorative Cow Bell Set, $32
9. Rosalind Wheeler 9' Dried Orange Garland, $48
10. Birch Lane 24" Soft Spruce Wreath, $43
11. Birch Lane Eura Cotton Fringe Throw Blanket, $29
12. Birch Lane Ableton 6-Light Chandelier, $139
Get the Christmas Tree Basket Look for Less
You don't need to spend over $130 to get the Christmas tree basket look everyone wants this year. Flip a woven tree collar upside down, pile in your favorite blankets, and you have a cozy, high-end look for under $40. If you try this hack, tag me @kendrafoundit so I can see your tree.
Thanks for finding it with me.
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Christmas Tree Collar FAQ
What is the point of a tree collar?
A tree collar hides your tree stand and gives the base of the tree a finished look. It's a cleaner alternative to a fabric tree skirt, and a woven tree collar adds a warm texture that works with almost any decor style.
What is the difference between a tree collar and a tree skirt?
A tree skirt is a flat piece of fabric that lies on the floor around the stand. A tree collar is a structured ring, usually made of wicker, rattan, wood, or metal, that stands up and wraps around the stand. Collars look tidier, while skirts give you a softer look and more room for gifts.
Are tree collars still popular?
Yes. Woven and wicker tree collars, along with the Christmas tree basket look, are some of the most popular ways to style a tree this year.
What size tree collar do I need?
Measure the widest part of your tree stand and choose a collar with a top that is a few inches wider (remember, we’re flipping it around!). Check the product listing for the recommended tree height, and size up if you plan to tuck blankets inside like I did.
Can you use a tree collar on a real tree?
Yes, but choose one that opens or comes in panels so you can still reach the stand to add water.
More Home Decor Finds
Home hack: how to turn a woven tree collar into a Christmas tree basket.