It’s Christmas in July! Ok, not really. Especially with the heat and wildfires we’re dealing with out west–not to mention my cancer diagnosis and chemo treatments (check out my chemo bag ideas). I didn’t get the best news this week, therefore, I decided to do a fun “Christmas in July” post sharing various non-traditional Christmas trees for a little pick-me-up. Last year we had two Christmas trees and one of them was a non-traditional Christmas tree I created with lampshades. That tree is in this collection and so are many other fun non-traditional Christmas tree ideas.

Why make a non traditional Christmas tree?

1. You may just want something fun to add to your Christmas decor, even if you already have a real (or fake) Charlie Brown tree.

2. If you have a large house and you want to make things a little more festive, having more than one tree can really amp up your holiday decor. You may even want a tree in every room!

3. If you live in a small space, some of these non-traditional Christmas trees are small-scale and perfect for a smaller home because they take up very little square footage.

4. If you love a holiday craft, making one of these non-traditional Christmas trees is the perfect way to get in the spirit. Plus, these trees can be kept, reused, or recreated for years to come.

Ladder Christmas Tree

Have an old ladder in your garage? Pull it out, wrap it in Christmas lights, and hang some pretty ornaments. Don’t forget a tree topper! This is a super-easy non-traditional Christmas tree with an artsy vibe. All your friends will be wishing they’d thought of the idea first.

Stacked Books Christmas Tree

Create your own non-traditional Christmas tree by stacking antique and vintage books in the shape of a tree. Add a little garland and a vintage star and you have a beautiful & elegant unconventional tree. Tip: Thrift stores are the best place to find inexpensive old books!

PVC Pipe Christmas Tree

Cut PVC pipe into thin cylinders of every size to create this non-traditional Christmas tree. Attach to a piece of painted plywood or other large background and fill with ornaments, nicknacks, pretty things, and lights!

Wall Hangings Christmas Tree

Hang ornaments, picture frames, and other fun pieces of decor into the shape of Christmas tree on your wall. Don’t forget a star on top! This is a beautiful way to decorate a small (or big) space for Christmas, even if you already have a traditional Christmas tree.

Lampshade Christmas Tree

If you’re in the mood for a project–and this tree is quite the project–why not make a lampshade Christmas tree. You can find old lampshades at any thrift store. Strip them down to their skeletons and then stack them up, attaching each shade with strips of fabric or ribbon. Decorate with ornaments and a large red bow or other tree topper. This non-traditional Christmas tree would also look beautiful with some fairy lights. See how I made it HERE.

Hanging Tree Branch Christmas Tree

Hang your Christmas tree this year by making a tree out of branches and rope and attaching it to the wall. Cut branches to size and then drill holes at the ends of each one. Next string rope through each branch on both sides and tie off on the bottom branches. Hang on the wall and decorate with lights and your favorite ornaments. This non-traditional Scandinavian-style Christmas tree would go beautifully with a nautical Christmas theme!

Styrofoam Button Christmas Tree

Make this styrofoam button Christmas tree project using a styrofoam cone, pearl pins, and vintage (or new) buttons. Just pin each button to the styrofoam cone, starting at the bottom. When you get to the top, attach a star or something resembling one. Display this tree on a tall candle holder or your favorite Christmas plate.

Decorated Branches Christmas Tree

This is another great small-space Christmas tree idea. Venture into the woods and cut some pine or fir tree branches. Bring them home and display in large, translucent glass vases. Decorate with ornaments and/or lights and you’ve got a beautiful small-space-friendly non-traditional Christmas tree.

String of Lights Christmas Tree

This simple wall-mounted Christmas tree is made using only a few nails and a string of lights. Decide what you want your tree to look like, nail some holes, and string your lights. This is one of the easiest and more cheerful non-traditional Christmas trees you can create in a small space, on a budget.

Chalkboard Christmas Tree

Another wall Christmas tree, this one works great in a classroom, if you’re a teacher or a homeschooling parent. Simply draw out your Christmas tree, attach some garland, and voila, an artsy and eclectic non-traditional Christmas tree.

I hope you enjoyed this “Christmas in July” post. Have you created non-traditional Christmas trees in the past? Share a link or photo in the comments!