Christmas trees are a staple for festive decorations and make for a wonderfully festive centrepiece that radiates warmth and joy. But what if you don’t have the luxury of space to display a regular tree? Going from a classic-sized tree to a tiny palm tree is no small feat and can make decorating it so much more challenging. Fortunately, with the right materials and a little festive creativity, even the puniest of trees can be transformed into a wonderful holiday display.
When it comes to dressing up small palm trees for Christmas, the key is to be as economical but creative with your materials as possible. Starting off with fairy lights is the best way to go as they’re practically synonymous with Christmas decorations. Deciding on the type of lights you’d like is important and will depend on the size of your tree. If you opt for traditional bulbs, stick to a maximum of two strings that can be draped through the palms and up and out, to simulate a full tree. Cree-style lights are usually smaller in size and more directional, so they’re cleverly designed to give the tree more dimension, making them the perfect choice for smaller palms.
When it comes to decorations, you want to keep it light and airy. Small satin bows, wreaths and garlands are a key feature for traditional trees, however these will likely weigh down a tiny tree. But fear not! A tinsel garland, like a snow-flocked option, will lightly and sparkle and give the tree a more festive feel.
Decorative baubles can also be sourced in miniature sizes and selected based on their colour and texture. If you’re on a budget and want something more homemade, mini pom-poms, made from yarn or thin ribbon, are an awesome way of adding festive charm.
Carrying the decorations and lights to the top of a small palm tree will require an extra set of hands, such as a trusted friend or family member. Once it appears balanced, secure the lights with a clear adhesive for keeping them in place.
You can have fun with the concept of a “topper”. This is traditionally a star, angel or snowflake which is placed at the very tip of a Christmas tree. For a tiny palm, an ornament or mini wreath is just the right size and can be easily secured with thin wire or fishing string.
When adding the decorations, remember that with less height comes greater detail work. Try positioning the baubles to create a pattern reminiscent of a classic tree and as with any tree, a good skirting of artificial snow can be added at its base. Not only will it look more like a winter wonderland, it’ll provide more stability.
Lighting Up A Small Palm Tree
When it comes to lighting your festive palm tree, it’s essential you do it properly for safety and for maximum festive glow. The trunk of a small palm is often quite thin, so you’ll either need to use smaller capacity lights, or opt for battery powered lights that can be tucked away in a strategic position within the branches.
To ensure the lights stay in place and don’t slip down, secure the trunk with a thin piece of decorative ribbon or fishing wire, at the top and bottom. When lifting the lights up and through the branches, loop thin pieces of wire around the lights to help them keep their position and avoid slipping down.
Be sure to never overload the tree with too many lights, as delicate branches can snap under any strain and you don’t want to end up stuck in the dark. 10-15 strings should do the trick unless you’re limited to battery operated lights.
Creative Ways To Decorate A Small Palm Tree
Finding creative ways to decorate a small palm tree can be a fun and rewarding challenge when you’re short on space. Be sure to challenge yourself to create the most visually appealing décor using the most minimal materials possible to bring your festive vision to life.
A great way to bring energy and life to a small palm is to add some greenery, both real and fake, such as eucalyptus or pine leaves. Hook them lightly to the branches with thin wire and wind a few strings of fairy lights around them for a subtle decorative touch. Orange slices or cinnamon sticks hung at the tips of the tree will add a smoky smell and an interesting textural detail that will add charm.
Miniature ornaments, such as Santa’s, snowmen, stars and angels, can bring some traditional, festive spirit to the minimal tree. Be sure to choose non breakable materials such as cotton and paper, as anything too heavy could snap the branches.
Not everyone wants a traditional Christmas tree and your small palm is a great opportunity to be a little quirky. Instead of tinsels and baubles, think feathers, origami designs and paper lanterns. If you’re feeling extra creative and motivational, how about making a wintery scene out of paper, clay, faux fur and make-shift bushes – the only limitation is your imagination.
DIY Decorations for a Small Palm Tree
If you don’t want to purchase decorations for your small palm tree and want to try your hand at Making It Yourself (MIY) instead, here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Crafting your own decorations is great for a busy festive season and the best part is, theres no cost involved.
Popsicle sticks or thin logs are great for making branches or a star for your palm tree. Small colourful pompoms, paper garlands and Christmas shapes cut out of construction paper are great for a traditional look. If you prefer to work hands-free, print out some festive shapes on coloured cardstock and thread them up with a thin piece of fishing string.
Candy canes always make for a fun addition to your Christmas decorations and a mini palm tree? Even better! Paint your candy canes into bright festive colours and hang them from the tips of the branches.
These creative alternatives to traditional decorations won’t break the bank, offering both saving and stylish ideas that will still make your tree festive, with a lot potential to make your own unique mark.
Staying Safe with a Small Palm Tree
Safety is obviously important whenever you are playing with lights, especially when it comes to a tiny palm tree. Before you offer up your tree as part of the annual festive love-in, run through a few basic safety checks.
Check that the lights you’re using are certified and created with flame-resistant wires and materials. Note, this doesn’t mean they’re fireproof, just flame-resistant. Turning the lights on for a few minutes each day that your tree is displayed to see if there are any weak or damaged bulbs is also a great habit to get into. If you spot any dodgy bulbs, don’t hesitate to switch them out.
Finally, be sure to put your tree in a safe, secure spot. If it is near a heater or a doorway, or in a passageway where people tend to squeeze past, you’ll need to take extra precautions. Secure the lights with thicker wire and use as few strings as possible while still getting the desired effect. Lights extending all the way out to the tree tips, are always a great idea.
Making the Most of a Small Palm Tree
The key to transforming a small palm tree into a festive display is to work with the challenges that come with being short on space and limited by trees shorter stature. Taking this into consideration and getting creative with your lights and décor will ensure your holiday celebration is as bright and vibrant as a regular-sized tree.
Glass decorations, baubles and tinsels may be tried and tested in their ability to bring the magic of Christmas to a classic pinned tree, however, when it comes to decking the halls of a small palm tree, the biggest rule of thumb is to only introduce what the tree can handle and find new, creative ways of bringing the same Christmas joy.
Use decorations that have weightless fabrics and opt for materials that are both flame-resistant and fire-proof. Metallic, dry materials like wood, paper and laser-cut cardboard are also a safe bet. If you’re playing with lights, don’t be too ambitious as overloading the tree can short out the lights and damage the branches.
If you take the right approach, decorating a small palm tree for Christmas can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. Not only can enhancing a tiny tree be a lot of fun – it can also be a lot of fun taking it in turns with family or friends to help concoct the most visually impressive displays.
