by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: December 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 11, 2011

3 Super-Simple Christmas Tree Skirts

What is a Christmas tree skirt? This decorative element is basically a covering for the base of the Christmas tree. It hides the base, in which the Christmas tree stands.

The loveliness and festivity or a real or artificial Christmas tree is enhanced by the addition of a skirt around the base.

Of course, Christmas tree skirts may be quite simple or lavishly ornate. This is a matter of personal decorating tastes.

Although Christmas tree skirts may be found in holiday departments of many stores, plenty of folks choose to create their own. Perhaps the most popular homemade Christmas tree skirts are these: fabric, felt, stitched.

Draped Fabric Christmas Tree Skirt

The basic fabric Christmas tree skirt is super simple. Actually, the secret is to select a lovely holiday fabric in colors that coordinate with your own holiday decorating. Purchase two to three yards of fabric, depending on the size of your Christmas tree and its base.

To skirt the Christmas tree, you simply drape the fabric around the base of the tree. Be sure to cover the base or stand completely, and tuck all raw fabric edges under.

Christmas tree skirting doesn't get any easier than that.

Felt Christmas Tree Skirt

If you enjoy a bit of crafting, then the felt Christmas tree skirt is cut out for you. Felt makes a lovely Christmas tree skirt, as it needs no seam or edge finishing. Felt will not unravel, as fabrics may tend to do.

Purchase enough felt to make a perfect square. Felt may be sold in widths ranging from 36" to 72", so the length you purchase should match the width.

Fold the felt in half, and then fold it in half again. Holding the center fold point, trim the outer edges (through all thicknesses) to make a giant circle.

Cut a small circle (the diameter of your Christmas tree trunk or pole) from the center of your large felt circle.

Cut a single slit from the center to the edge of your felt circle.

Decorate your Christmas tree skirt according to your own tastes. You might use fabric paints, glued-on appliques, sparkly sequins, flashy buttons, jingle bells or other adornments.

Use a hot-melt glue gun to affix ribbon or cording around the small center hole of your Christmas tree skirt.

Drape your felt Christmas tree skirt around the base of the tree, overlapping the open ends to cover the base or stand. Tie the ribbon or cording to hold the Christmas tree skirt in place.

Stitched Christmas Tree Skirt

Do you love to sew? If so, you can whip up a customized Christmas tree skirt quickly in your choice of fabrics. Velvet, plaid taffeta, holiday flannel and Christmas calico prints make lovely tree skirts.

Simple sewing patterns may be found in the Holiday Craft sections of all of the major sewing pattern catalogs at fabric shops.

Be sure to pick up a second fabric for the Christmas tree skirt lining, along with interfacing and trims, if desired.

Christmas tree skirts make super gifts.

A homemade Christmas tree skirt makes a wonderful holiday gift. Over the years, I have created calico, corduroy, eyelet lace, patchwork, plaid, quilted, taffeta and woolen Christmas tree skirts for various loved ones. I have even bestowed Christmas tree skirts upon brides at their holiday season wedding showers.

Of course, our favorite family Christmas tree skirt contains a patchwork pattern of favorite holiday fabrics. Each section represents a family member's own Christmas stocking, which is made of that material. As we drape the Christmas tree skirt around our family tree each year, we are reminded of this legacy of Christmases past.

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