Starry trees with a difference. New ideas for Christmas trees with poinsettias.

Its triangular shape makes this simple wooden shelf an ideal Christmas tree substitute for anyone who wants a reusable alternative to the classic fir. To decorate, fill the shelf with poinsettias, cones, foliage plants, gifts and Christmas decorations, then add a string of lights.

Done! The castors allow you to move this minimalist tree substitute wherever it attracts the most attention.

DIY tip: You can build a triangular shelf yourself using a wooden stepladder. Simply attach wooden boards between sets of opposite rungs, as well as under the feet so you can screw castors underneath.

A poinsettia plant to replace a Christmas tree? No problem with this imposing columnar specimen! Especially practical: the magnificent, cream-coloured bracts make additional decorations unnecessary.

Poinsettias come in many different colours, sizes and growth forms. Columnar plants are rare and not easy to obtain.

Your best chance of finding them is at the beginning of the season in a good specialist shop.

Hanging decoration as an alternative Christmas tree: You can find a suitable spot anywhere for this wire spiral, covered with juniper twigs and decorated with poinsettias and mini baubles. This pretty hanging decoration is simple to make with a little skill.

For the mini Christmas tree to hang, you need craft wire (1 – 2 mm thick), two pairs of pliers (one pair of side cutters for cutting and one pair of flat-nose pliers for bending the wire), juniper twigs, small Christmas balls, string/tape, silver thread, three test tubes and three mini Christmas stars.

Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Cut a 50-60cm length of wire using the wirecutters. Use the flat nose pliers to make a small loop at one end for hanging.

Step 2: Starting from the loop, form the wire into a spiral one circle at a time. Add another loop at the end.

Step 3: Bind the juniper twigs onto the wire with the silver thread.

Step 4: Attach the mini baubles and test tubes to the juniper-wrapped wire with ribbon and hang your mini Christmas tree in your chosen spot. Then fill the test tubes with water and place the cut poinsettias inside.

Bei With this homemade Christmas tree made of poinsettias and a mismatched collection of nostalgic Christmas decorations, there are no limits to your imagination. T

his creative wall display is a space-saving solution for anyone who wants an original alternative to the classic Christmas tree. In addition to the poinsettias, the embroidery hoops with Christmas motifs are also really eye-catching. They can be made in just a few steps.

You will need an old Christmas jumper, scissors, embroidery hoops and hot glue and glue gun.

Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Place the inner ring of the embroidery hoop in the centre of your chosen motif on the jumper and mark a circular cutting line at least two centimetres larger than the hoop. Cut out the motif along this line.

Step 2: Place your circle of jumper centrally over the inner ring. Place the open outer ring on top and tighten the tension screw. When the motif is in your desired position, attach the excess to the inside of the frame with hot glue.

Tip: This DIY wall tree offers space for several Christmas embroidery frames in different sizes.