This DIY branch Christmas tree with metallic acorn ornaments makes a beautiful statement in your holiday decor. See how easy it is to create for yourself or present as a gift to someone special.
Making things from nature is a passion of mine. I always say it's because nothing looks as beautiful as nature itself.
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DIY Branch Christmas Tree with Acorn Ornaments
Supplies
- A branch from a tree or shrub with several alternating branches.
- Brown spray paint
(optional) - White craft paint
- Clay pot (3.5 inches) or any base you want. For example, a wooden box would also look cute.
- Foam for the pot
- Sheet or sphagnum moss
- Acorns from the yard
- Variety of metallic paints or rub and buff
- Wax thread
- Hot glue gun and glue
(optional)
or 
This twig styled Christmas tree needed a base. I used an old clay pot and painted it white. However, you could use any type of flower pot, vase, or even something like a square wooden box.
Glue in some foam to anchor the branch. If you don't have some in your stash, Dollar Tree sells blocks or you can get creative and find something else laying around the house for support.
My branch came from a dead section of a viburnum shrub. It was pretty gray so I sprayed it with brown spray paint first.
Add a little bit of hot glue to the bottom of the branch for extra staying power before inserting it into the foam.
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Cover the top with a bit of moss.
My daughter suggested I give the tree a snowy feel, so I added a bit of white craft paint to the tops and sides of the branches.
You could also use glitter while the paint is wet and it will stick, giving the tree even more sparkle.
Creating Metallic Acorn Ornaments
These are acorns from our yard. We have so many oak trees it is unbelievable.
Once you bring in the acorns, clean them up a bit and prepare them for crafting by placing them on a foil-lined tray in a 200-degree oven for a couple of hours. This will kill insects that may have hitched a ride and will make it easier to remove the caps.
Paint the acorns with your favorite colors. I used metallics and in some cases, they didn't cover well. So I painted them a white base coat first and then covered the white with metallic paint. The silver acorns were painted with rub and buff wax
that I had left over from another project. The wax-covered the acorn well. No need for any white paint with that medium.
I used wax thread to hang the acorns. Some of the acorns had enough stem to tie the thread to, and the wax helped adhere the thread to the stem. For those that did not, I used a large embroidery needle to make a hole in the middle.
The only problem with that is they tended to crack. No matter, when you hot glue the caps to the nut, the crack all but disappears.
I love this little burst of shiny color from the acorns.
Right now I have this lovely little branch Christmas tree on a sofa table but I think I'll move it to the foyer for everyone who enters our home to see.
P.S. You may also like this Twig Christmas Tree idea or these Christmas Trees made with Pine Cones. You can find them and much more on my DIY Projects Page.
DIY Branch Christmas Tree with Metallic Acorn Ornaments
Equipment
- Hot glue gun and glue
Materials
- A branch with several alternating branches.
- Brown spray paint optional
- White craft paint
- Clay pot 3.5 inches
- Foam for the pot
- Sheet or sphagnum moss
- Acorns from the yard
- Variety of metallic paints
- Wax thread
Instructions
- Paint the clay pot white.
- Glue in some foam to anchor the branch.
- *Optional - spray your branch with brown spray paint if needed.
- Add a little bit of hot glue to the bottom of the branch. Insert into the foam.
- Cover the top with a bit of moss.
- Add a bit of white craft paint to the tops and sides of the branches.
- Gather acorns.
- Clean them up by placing them on a foil-lined tray in a 200-degree oven for a couple of hours.
- Paint the acorns with white paint first, then metallic paint.
- Use wax thread to hang the acorns.
Atta Girl Amy
Such a pretty tree, Patti. I love how you added a little glam touch to the acorns with the metallic paint. I feel like you could leave this out past Christmas, as well.
Lynn Spencer
Hi Friend! Got to love those shiny acorns! Your tree can really work from Fall through Winter...which I love! It'll be something festive to keep up even after all the other decor has come down. And of course, I'm always impressed with your knack for making great things from the stuff in your yard! You inspire me!
Merry Christmas friend!
Hugs,
Lynn
Patti Estep
Thanks Lynn, I think I"ll keep it up for while. Good idea. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas my friend.
nicki parrish
What a creative and budget friendly idea to add to your home! So cute and I love the colors you chose!
Patti Estep
Thanks Nikki. It was fun to make and I enjoyed seeing all the wonderful tree ideas on the tour.
Cristina
Your pretty tree might be my favorite from the entire hop. Love that you can find most materials out there, and the way you transformed them is fantastic. Those bright, metallic acorns are adorable. Gorgeous tree!
Patti Estep
Thank you Cristina. That is so sweet of you to say. I really enjoyed sharing with such a talented inspiring group
Sherry Denise Cole
Patti, you are so good with diy projects and you always inspire me. I love the tree and I bet these acorns would look cute as a garland too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Patti Estep
Thanks Sherry. A garland, huh? I do love a good DIY garland. Thanks for the great idea!
Maureen Young
Once again, where were you when I was a Brownie leader?!? This is adorable and I think it would be something great to do as a craft with older kids and become something that would be treasured year after year at Christmas time.
Patti Estep
Thanks Maureen. I think that just means you need to volunteer as a Scout Leader again. 😉
Vicki and Jenn 2 Bees in a Pod
Shut the front door! Patti - this tree is so smart, creative and pretty. Such a genius idea to use nature from your own yard. Love the painted acorns! So pretty and festive. Cheers - Vicki and Jenn
Patti Estep
Thanks Vicki and Jenn. My tree is so tiny compared to the magnificent beauties you and the others created. I do have a normal 7 foot tree in the living room but decided to share this bit of whimsy instead. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Carole West
I love this and you have such a talent for bringing the outdoors inside. The attention to detail in this piece is fantastic and I love all those pretty colors on the acorns. The candles to the left just kind of bring it all together and I bet at night when lit this space looks wonderful. I'm thinking Christmas at Patti's is the place to be. Hugs!
Patti Estep
Awww thanks Carole. Sometimes it's fun to have a little whimsy.
Susie | Chelsea Project
Oh wow! I LOVE this tree. At one point, I was looking for branches to do a few trees like this, but just couldn't get my thinking together. Thank you so much for the tutorial!! And you can bet that next year, I'll be gathering all the acorns and buying all the metallic craft paint. Your outside-the-box tree is a smash hit. Thanks for joining us today. How special it is to have you and your tree,
Patti Estep
Thank you Susie for that kind comment and for hosting such a lovely tour. It's so fun. I used to go on a Christmas home tour when my kids were young and I miss them. These blog hops are just the thing I need.
Denise
This is so cute! I have a think for trees and this is such a cool way to use items from nature.
Patti Estep
Thanks Denise. I have a thing for trees too!
CoCo
Patti, this tree is so creative! I love how you used a twigs from a bush instead of a tree to make things more manageable for multiple rooms and spaces - such a great idea. I'm definitely going to try that when we create our thankful tree next Thanksgiving. All the metallic acorns are super cute too. It's all really festive! Hugs, CoCo
Patti Estep
Thanks Coco, I think it would make a great Thankful Tree.
Jen @ Jenron Designs
This tree is so much fun. I love the metallic acorns on the branches they are just too sweet. Such a GREAT job!
Patti Estep
Thanks so much Jen. This was a fun project to create and I've been enjoying all the Christmas creativity from the other blogs all morning.
Nancy
So crafty! I love out of the box thinking and repurposing. Bravo!
Nancy
Patti Estep
Thanks Nancy, my little tree is certainly unique in this tour but I hope I've inspired some people who maybe don't have a lot of room.