This year, I decided to skip the tree skirts and put my Christmas tree in a basket, but first I had to figure out how to make it fit. Putting a wobbly tree inside a basket it wasn’t designed for just screams disaster, but I’ve found a way to make it work.
Before I tell you what I did, I have to explain that putting a Christmas tree in a basket was not my first thought.
I’ve been seeing Christmas tree collars all over social media and decided that that was the way to go seeing that it would go around the base of my tree rather than have my tree sit in the basket itself.
I gave a Christmas tree collar a try, first
During one of my jaunts to Target I found a gorgeous galvanised tree collar and rushed home to put it around my tree. The problem is, it didn’t fit. Not only that, it left a huge, very noticeable and very ugly gap between the top of the collar and the bottom of my artificial tree.
I went to Michael’s, Homegoods, Homesense and searched online for days to find a collar that would fit, to no avail.
One evening, while flipping through a Christmas magazine, I spotted a Christmas tree in a lovely wicker basket. Bingo! I bought it and the rest is history.
Here’s how to make your Christmas tree fit in a basket in three easy steps.
1. First things, first – measure the base of your tree stand
Baskets come in a variety of sizes, but you won’t know which one will fit your tree unless you measure the base of your Christmas tree stand.
Once you have your measurements, take your measuring tape with you to the store of your choice and place it in baskets you find attractive just to make sure it will fit. You want a little wiggle room on the sides.
You’ll also want to measure the height so that the basket reaches up to the bottom of the tree. That is extremely important because you don’t want unsightly gaps. Believe me.
2. Find a sturdy, well-made basket
You’re trying to support a tree here, so you need to skip all of the flimsy, whimsical baskets. You will need a heavy duty basket that can handle the weight of a tree and ornaments.
3. Weigh the tree down inside the basket
Now, full disclosure, my tree stood erect in my basket without weights, but I added some sandbags to the top of the tree stand for extra security. From there, just adjust the tree so that it stands upright and feels secure. Push it ever so lightly just to make sure it’s not wobbly.
Honestly, that’s it. If you buy the right basket, 95 percent of the work will be done.
I hope this article helps you put your Christmas tree in a basket.
XOXO,
This Bahamian Gyal
