Trimming Tiny Trees for BIG Impact

Craft a miniature holiday tree and bring a whole lot of cheer to your tabletop. One of the best parts of the holiday season is certainly the beauty that it brings. Here in the midst of a global pandemic, we could all benefit more than usual from eye candy and all things pleasant. Getting a jump on the holidays seems like a fine distraction. Follow these tips to inspire your own tabletop winter wonderland.

What Kind of Little Tree Should I Choose?

Selecting your plant to craft a miniature holiday tree comes down to personal preference and your local supply.  Typically in the midwest, our stores are filled with Norfolk Pines, Christmas Cacti and topiaries made from boxwood and rosemary. You might even have some rosemary in your garden that could be transplanted inside for the winter and used as your holiday masterpiece.  Any of these make fine choices: pick what you like!  Look for a plant that’s in good condition and with a shape that’s pleasing to you. Also note what kind of growing conditions your choice needs. Growing it inside subjects it to lower light and warmer temps than growing it outdoors. Also consider the decorations you might use. Glass balls, even small ones may weigh down the branches of a smaller plant, for instance.

Tiny Tree Stand

So tiny tree stands aren’t the ideal choice for your plant since they only provide water and not a place for soil.  Since a tiny tree is a potted plant, you’ll want to select a festive container that provides drainage  and also protects your furniture from moisture. Consider a family heirloom that doesn’t get much use to showcase your creation.  An antique silver Champagne bucket was my choice, but I plan to make a trio for my buffet using Rosemary plants in shiny red enamel pails. Get creative and look around your home for options.

Sources of Inspiration

Look to the spot that you plan to place your creation to inspire your trimmings. I decided to craft a miniature holiday tree for my master bedroom which is a deep eggplant colour. I decided on a pale and sparkly colour palate featuring tiny hand made ornaments, about $3 at Target. A lovely blush, glittery starburst that was meant to be an ornament got repurposed into a tiny tree topper. Best of all is a tiny strand of warm white twinkling lights which are battery operated on an inconspicuous green wire.