DIY Network

Tomato Cage Christmas Trees From "Special Presentation" episode DCJH-SL

Create a small-scale Christmas tree with style. The secret? Start with a tomato cage as a frame, and add embellishments to create one of the themed trees below.

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Feather tree

Feather Tree

Materials:

Wire tomato cage
4 - 6 feather boas
3 Zip ties
Sheer ribbon- 1/4" wide and matching the color of the boas
35-Bulb length of white twinkle lights
Wire cutters

1. Gather together the three vertical wires of the cage and secure them tightly together with a zip tie (figure A). Crisscross a second zip tie over the first zip tie, so that a 1-2" loop extends down into the cavity of the cage. Secure the second zip tie. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess wire (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

2. Thread the third zip tie through a strand of twinkle lights approximately 2/3 of the way from the plug end of the strand (figure C). Loop the third zip tie through the loop formed by the second zip tie so the strand hangs in the center of the cage (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

3. Tie the end of one of the boas to the top point of the tree, using a small piece of ribbon. The ribbon ties will be camouflaged by the fluffiness of the boas. Wrap the boas around the outside cone of the tomato cage, securing with small ribbon ties as necessary. When you reach the end of one boa, tie another one on and continue until the entire tree is covered.

Tinsel tree

Tinsel Tree

Materials:

Wire tomato cage
2-3 Packages of colored tinsel
2 Zip ties
Ribbon colored similarly to the tinsel
Large ball ornaments and hangers
Wire cutters

	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Gather the three vertical wires of the cage and secure tightly together with a zip tie. Crisscross a second zip tie over the first zip tie. Secure the second zip tie. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess wire.

2. Using a small length of ribbon, secure the end of a piece of tinsel to the top of the point of the tree. Wrap the tinsel around one of the cage’s vertical wires until you reach the bottom and secure with a small length of ribbon and snip the tinsel with scissors. Repeat step to cover the cage’s other two vertical wires (figure E).

3. With another length of tinsel, wrap each of the cage’s circular wires, securing with ribbon.

4. Hang large plastic or glass ball ornaments from the wrapped circular wires (figure F).

Fiesta tree

Fiesta Tree

Materials:

Wire tomato cage
Dried cornhusks
2 zip ties
String
Trims
Dried chili peppers
Tacky glue
Ultra fine glitter
Hot glue gun and glue
Water
Wire cutters

	Figure G
	Figure H

1. Gather together the three vertical wires of the cage and secure them tightly together with a zip tie. Crisscross a second zip tie over the first zip tie. Secure the second zip tie. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess wire.

2. Tie string around the cone of the tomato cage in 3 places to create extra rings around the tomato cage. The stings will act as extra layers for attaching the cornhusks.

3. Dampen the dried cornhusks in water to make them flexible. While working around the entire tomato cage, wrap and hot glue each cornhusk around the circular wires and string (figure G).

4. Dip the dried chili peppers into tacky glue and sprinkle with ultra fine glitter. Allow to dry.

5. Top the tree with glittered chili peppers and wrap the tree with rick rack trims and ribbons (figure H).You can hot glue the chili peppers and trims in place or simply use ribbons to attach them.

Natural tree

Natural Tree

Materials:

Wire tomato cage
Metal primer and brown paint, or a brown spray paint made for metal
Thin gauge wire
Jewelry wire cutters
Needle-nosed jewelry pliers
(2) 15-foot twig garlands (available in the floral department of craft stores)
Feather butterflies, nests, birds, etc. to decorate the tree as desired
2 zip ties
Wire cutters

	Figure I
	Figure J

1. Paint the tomato cage brown and allow to dry. Gather together the three vertical wires of the cage and secure them tightly together with a zip tie. Crisscross a second zip tie over the first zip tie. Secure the second zip tie. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess wire.

2. Cut a 4-6" piece of wire. Use the wire length to secure one end of the twig garland to the top point of the cage by threading the wire around the garland and the tomato cage with your fingers or needle nosed jewelry pliers. With additional lengths of wire, continue securing the garland down one of the cage’s vertical wires, cutting the garland when you reach the bottom. Repeat step 2 for each of the cage’s other vertical wires.

3. Encircle the circular base of the tomato cage with the twig garland, securing with lengths of wire to keep the garland flush with the base of the cage (figure I). Trail the garland up to the next circular cage wire and continue to secure it with wire. Continue wrapping the cone of the cage with garland, securing with pieces of wire, until you reach the top. Wrap tightly with wire and snip the garland.

4. Attach butterflies, birds’ nests, and small birds to the trees using their provided wires or additional thin-gauged wire (figure J).