Non-Traditional Holiday Trees: Creative Options for Every Space and Style

Evergreens and artificial trees need not apply. If your home lacks square footage—since both real and fake Christmas trees take up considerable floor area—or if you simply prefer a nontraditional approach to holiday decor, there are numerous unconventional choices available. Alternative Christmas trees are crafted from materials like wood and macrame, and they come in a broad spectrum of sizes. So whatever floor space you have or the aesthetic you desire, you'll find something suitable.

We've searched for the most inventive and stylish alternative Christmas tree ideas that you can purchase online right now. Perhaps you want to completely swap out your usual Christmas tree. Or maybe you're after an extra dose of festive spirit, with a different kind of tree to bring holiday cheer to another part of your home—like an entryway, or a child's bedroom that's less prickly. We've gathered decorating ideas you'll adore.

Key Factors When Selecting an Alternative Christmas Tree

Dimensions: Just like any online purchase, carefully review the tree's measurements before you hit "add to cart." Having a measuring tape on hand is always wise. Alternative Christmas trees are, by nature, different—they vary in material, shape, and size—so before it shows up at your door, make sure you have a clear mental image of what you're getting.

Placement: Typically, you know exactly where a traditional Christmas tree will go: one corner of the living room or another. With alternative trees, depending on their size, your placement possibilities expand significantly. Some are designed for tabletops, while others hang on walls, requiring vertical space. Before you get too excited, confirm that you have enough suitable spots for it. You don't want to be wondering, "Where will I put this?" once it arrives.

Storage: Unlike evergreens that get discarded after New Year's, an alternative Christmas tree needs storage space so you can enjoy it year after year. Before buying, figure out how and where you'll keep it until next December. Can it be taken apart? Does it lie flat? If it's soft, can you fold it? Do you have the right containers? Ask yourself these questions before committing to any Christmas tree.

Keep reading to find 10 alternative Christmas tree ideas that will infuse your home with artistic holiday spirit—no tree stand, tree topper, or pine needle cleanup required.

1. Wooden Christmas Tree

Sweet, simple, and topped with a star—if that's the holiday look you're after this Christmas, we've found your alternative tree. This wooden Christmas tree would serve as an understated yet elegant focal point in any room this December. Add some ornaments and you're done! Your tree is decorated.

2. Alternative Oak Christmas Tree

$62.71+ at Etsy

You thought decorating a traditional Christmas tree was fun? Just wait until you see the many ways you can arrange and hang ornaments on this wooden oak tree. Every branch is sanded smooth, so no worries about splinters. Each branch can also be positioned independently, allowing you to arrange them DIY-style in countless ways—or even change it up daily. One day it could be a flat tree, the next arranged in a spiral; one day with your favorite ornaments, the next bare.

3. Macrame Christmas Tree

$27.00+ at Etsy

Short on floor space? Instead of a bulky traditional Christmas tree, choose a slim wall hanging like these charming macrame designs. These handmade hanging Christmas trees come in three sizes and dozens of yarn colors, so the look you can create is limitless. Hang a small evergreen-colored one in a tight spot or line up a series of them in a rainbow of colors along an entire wall. All you need is open wall space—whether above a fireplace, in an entryway, or as a soft, sweet holiday touch in a nursery—and a bit of imagination. Perhaps best of all, these trees store away flat with incredible ease, so you can enjoy their boho vibe year after year.

4. Red Co. Ornament Christmas Tree

$44.99 - $72.95 at Amazon

Even if space is tight and you can't dedicate an entire corner to a towering Christmas tree, you can still enjoy a mini tree. This tabletop tree could sit on a side table, dresser, or even as a centerpiece on a dining table. Then decorate it as fully or minimally as you like, with traditional Christmas ornaments or extra special ones—perhaps heirloom ornaments or ones from your travels. (It would also make a lovely jewelry holder if you'd rather skip tree ornaments altogether.) This design comes in two heights, 25 or 36 inches tall, and six finishes: black, gold, bronze, copper, silver, or white.

5. Wooden Hanging Tree

For simple Scandinavian-inspired vibes, pick up one of these wooden dowel Christmas trees. It provides a minimalist spot to hang Christmas cards or any Christmas tree decorations without the bulk of an evergreen. Not only is it easy to hang, decorate, and disassemble, but it's also extremely easy to store, taking up almost no room in your decorations bin.

6. Rustic Wood Christmas Tree

For a versatile alternative Christmas tree, consider one that works both indoors and outdoors, like this one made from reclaimed wood. It's hand-cut by an Etsy artist, then painted, lightly sanded, and topped with a sealant for a charming, rustic look that can withstand snow and wind. Best of all, it's pre-lit with Christmas lights, and the base detaches for easy storage. Has a Christmas tree ever been this easy? (We say no.)

7. Wood Wall Christmas Tree Shelf

Fun and functional—our favorite combination for decor of any kind. With this shelf shaped like a Christmas tree, you can fill it with all sorts of small Christmas decorations. While it would fit on almost any wall, how about dedicating this one to an entryway, as a festive place to store your keys, or in a bathroom, which often gets less decorating attention than other rooms? Wherever you hang it and whatever you store on it, this tree shelf adds a subtle, sophisticated touch to any room.

8. Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Set

When you're working with a small space and want to add a dose of holiday-themed greenery, a set of bottle brush Christmas trees is always a good choice. They bring texture, cheer, and fun to any dining table, coffee table, dresser—you name it—without requiring much space or setup time. Plus, the price is hard to beat.

9. Colorful Wooden Christmas Trees

All is merry and very bright with this set of vibrant Christmas trees. They come in various sizes, color options, and sets so you can mix and match them along a mantle or table, or split them into different vignettes around your home. Think of them as a DIY project you don't have to DIY. Pair these fun Christmas trees, hand-painted in non-traditional hues and laser-cut to perfection, with a mantle full of string lights for a standout display that takes almost no time or effort to set up.

10. Stackable Nesting Three Tier Christmas Shelves

We understand: Christmas trees, even alternative ones, can be expensive, considering you only display them for one month a year. Instead, you could invest in these nesting shelves, which, when stacked, resemble a tree shape. The rest of the year, you can separate them for individual use. Brilliant! When December comes, string them with fairy lights, add a few small decorations, and congratulate yourself for buying a multi-purpose alternative Christmas tree.