How to Make Your Own Halloween Tree With Lights

Use a tree branch to make your own Halloween tree decoration

Spooky trees are a common theme in Halloween stories. Create your own Halloween tree complete with lights for a naturally scary effect. This inexpensive holiday decoration will make an impressive impact and last for many Halloweens to come.

Things You'll Need

• Tree branches
• Hand saw
• Wood board
• Nail, 1-2"
• Hammer
• Black spray paint
• White, orange, green or purple mini lights
• Halloween beads
• Eyelash yarn

Instructions

1. Gather tree branches from any wooded area. Find dead branches that have already fallen from the tree. Look for one large piece and several smaller twisted branches.

2. Lay out your choices on large table or the floor. Using a hand saw, cut the bottom of your main tree branch straight across to give you a flush edge.

3. Drive a nail through the center bottom of your piece of wood. The wood board needs to be at least as wide as the branches in order to keep the tree stable. Now press the flush edge of your main tree branch onto the nail and press down slowly until it is firmly in place. Add more branches with florist wire at this point to further balance the tree if necessary.

4. Spray paint the entire tree black. This is best done outdoors in a place that will not be damaged from paint over-spray.

5. Add mini lights to complete the look once the tree is dry. Choose from white, orange green or purple mini lights, or any combination of these eerie colors. Decorate with tiny Halloween beads strung on wire and pieces of eyelash yarn draped over the branches for cobwebs.

Tips & Warnings

• Use as a table top decoration for an impressive centerpiece or highlight on the buffet table.

• Set in the foyer to greet guests.

• Include tiny bags of goodies or wrapped candies around the tree.

• Cut out silhouettes of crows from black card stock to place on the branches

• Be careful the eyelash yarn does not lie directly on the mini lights, it could cause a fire.

References

• Halloween Alliance: How to make your own halloween tree
• KidsPalace's Weblog: Make a Creepy Halloween Tree