Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by PorchLightReading
5 Easy ways to make your tired old artificial Christmas tree look like new! Complete DIY makeover that is budget-friendly.
We bought our pre-lit Christmas tree about 6 years ago and at the time it was gorgeous! However, since then we’ve moved and it was stuffed in storage and then shoved in the attic. Each year we’d bring it down for the holidays and each year it would become a bit more sad and desperate looking.
After making the trek down the attic stairs one year, we discovered that one section of the lights were no longer working. Instead of buying a new tree we decided to make due with a $3 set of string lights until we could replace the tree after Christmas.
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- Table of Contents: How to make an old artificial Christmas tree look like new
- How to make your Christmas tree taller
- How to remove pre-strung lights from an artificial Christmas tree
- How to make a Christmas tree look more full
- Pine cones and berries
- Flocking and snow
- Amazon finds to skip the DIY’s!
- Artificial Christmas tree makeover Before and After Photos
Christmas came and went but we never bought a new tree. So here are. Another year gone and our squished, tired, old, artificial tree needs to go.
We were hoping to find one on sale, but sadly the ones we liked were several hundred dollars. A price that was not in the budget right before the holiday season.
What makes that Christmas tree at the store so appealing anyway?
- It’s tall
- Full branches
- Festive pine cones and berries
- Snow flocking
- Much nicer twinkling lights
Hey honey! You think you can make me something real quick?
HOW TO MAKE AN OLD ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE LOOK LIKE NEW
With some clever fluffing, fresh lights, and a few other tips, you can make your old tree look vibrant and festive again. Whether you’re on a budget or just love a good DIY, these ideas will help you transform your tree into a dazzling holiday centerpiece that looks and feels like new.
MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE TALLER
Tree Stand Riser- Place your tree on a sturdy riser. You can make a simple stand by using a 2×4 and plywood. Once on the stand, you can wrap the base of the tree in a festive tree skirt to keep it looking polished.
This trick lifts the tree a few more inches off the ground, giving it a more grand appearance.
REMOVE PRE STUNG LIGHTS FROM AN ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Since our lights were out in one section of the Christmas tree, we were going to need to completely remove them and string our own. Of course you can try and identify which bulb is bad and replace it, but in our case they were completely shot.
You’ll need a few tools before you get started, including gloves, scissors or wire cutter, and some patience.
- Dismantle your tree and work from the bottom up. After making a few snips with the wire cutters, you should be able to find a pattern and slide the lights off the tips. It’s easier to work from the trunk of the tree out towards the tips. Taking care not to pull too hard and break the branches.
- Unwind the light string. Gently work the lights off, pulling them out and away from the branches. This might require a bit of time, and gloves help protect your hands from the scratchy branches.
- Check each section of the tree before moving on to the next.
- Dispose of the broken lights and replace with a new string of twinkling Christmas lights.
- Tip- Be generous with the amount of new lights you put on the tree. Start by completely wrapping the tree trunk, then work your way thought the middle and finally out towards the tips.
HOW TO FLUFF A CHRISTMAS TREE
Take the time to really fluff your Christmas tree. It sits in the box year after year and needs a little love once you finally take it out. Since we decided to makeover the tree this year, I took extra time to really get it right. By fluffing your Christmas tree you can make it look fuller and more festive.
- Begin by setting up the bottom of the Christmas tree. Fluff each section individually, starting from the base.
- Separate each branch and fan them out in different directions- some straight, and some angled up or down. This helps cover any gaps and gives the tree a more natural, layered look.
- Stand back and look at your work from a distance, adjusting any branches that look uneven or sparse.
This part takes time and patience. It might be worth setting up in your garage and doing it the day before you decorate it with your family.
- Helpful tip- If it still looks sparse after fully fluffing your tree you can add garland or a couple of larger wreaths where the tree attaches to the next level.
ADD PINE CONES
One of the things I loved about that expensive tree at the store were the pine cones. You could buy them or make your own.
The kids and I decided to make our own. After searching around the neighborhood for a few of the best looking ones, we washed, dried, baked, and sealed our own pine cones.
Related Post: How to preserve pine cones
ADD FLOCKING OR WHITE SPRAY PAINT
You can pick up flocking spray at the store or even use white spray paint to add a touch of winter to your tree.
For a light dusting using spray paint, spray from 14 or more inches away from the branches. Make sure you pick a day with no wind and allow time to fully dry before decorating.
AMAZON FINDS YOU MIGHT LIKE
We’ve talked about a few things to makeover your old tree, and with that came a couple of projects. If you would like the look but would rather skip the DIY projects, then these Amazon finds might help!
- Christmas tree base cover to look like a real tree trunk!
- Artificial Christmas tree height extender
- Christmas tree pine cones and berries
- Winter textured snow spray- flocking
CHRISTMAS TREE MAKEOVER BEFORE AND AFTER
It turns out that we didn’t need a $300 new Christmas tree with pine cones and working lights. With a few DIY projects and by getting creative, we were able to make our old artificial Christmas tree look like new! Giving it a fresh look for a few more years to come.
I hope this projects helps inspire you to start you own DIY Christmas makeover. With a little creativity and a lot of patience, you can give new life to your old tree once again. One year we’ll look for a good sale after Christmas, but until then our 6 year old tree is looking cheerful and elegant.
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Making your own pinecones is so smart!! This is my first year having a faux tree, since getting a real tree from our local Christmas tree farm has been one of our favorite traditions for years. I had the final straw last year when almost half of the pine needles had fallen by Christmas Eve, and we had to call in a carpet cleaner to help clean up the mess. I’m excited to see how the faux tree does this year, and hopefully my pine candle can make up for the lack of scent!
Thank you Amelia! Having a real tree is really special when both price and quality can play nicely together. However, having a faux tree is a good alternative, especially with extra touches like DIY pinecones! You are right the real tree smell is like none other, but my wax warmer (like your candle) helps make up for it. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season!