Introduction

If you want your holiday tree to look neater and more stylish, a Christmas tree collar is an easy upgrade. A collar is a Round ring or drum that fits around the tree stand. It hides the ugly base, keeps cords out of sight, and makes photos look better. Collars come in many fabrics and finishes — like wood, metal, woven rattan, velvet, or felt. Some collars have a small door so you can water a real tree without taking the collar off.

This guide is simple and useful. You will learn how to measure for the right size using the tree collar sizing guide, how to pick the best material, and how to build one using diy tree collar ideas. I also show the best tree collars 2025 trends and explain why a wooden tree collar might work for your home.

What is a Christmas tree collar and why use one?

A Christmas tree collar is a firm band, box, or drum that wraps around the tree stand. Think of it like furniture for the base of your tree. It hides the stand, any wires, and sometimes the water container. Collars give a tidy, modern look many people like better than a traditional tree skirt.

Why choose a collar?

• Hides the stand and cords in a neat way.
• Looks great in photos and in front of guests.
• Many collars have a removable panel so you can water a live tree.
• Solid collars (like wood or metal) can protect curious pets and toddlers.
• Collars are easy to style and match to your room décor.

Types of tree collars — pick the material that fits your home

Below is a simple table to show the common materials, what they look like, and which homes they suit.

Material Comparison Table

Material	Look & Feel	Pros	Cons	Best for
Woven (rattan, seagrass)	Natural, warm	Light, textured, often foldable	Can fray, not good when wet	Casual, coastal, farmhouse
Wood (stained/painted)	Solid, classic	Strong, pet-proof, customisable	Heavy, needs dry storage	Family homes, DIYers
Metal (iron, brass, aluminium)	Sleek, modern	Durable, wipe-clean, long-lasting	Can be pricier, may dent	City flats, luxe rooms
Velvet / Faux fur	Plush, luxury	Soft, great for photos	Not pet-proof, can get damp	Staged homes, photo sets
Felt / Faux leather	Simple, colourful	Cheap, light	Less durable	Apartments, seasonal looks
Collapsible fabric/plastic	Budget-friendly	Cheap, stores flat	Less premium look	Renters, students

Tip: If you have pets or small kids, choose wood or metal for more strength. If you want cosy photos, pick velvet or plush.

How to measure — the tree collar sizing guide

Measuring is the most important step. A wrong size will look awkward. Use this simple method.

Rule of thumb: Measure your tree stand (not the tree). Add a little extra space so cords and plugs fit.

Step-by-step measurement

1. Clear around the base. Remove any skirt or mat so you can see the stand.
2. Measure the widest point of the stand. Use a tape measure and get the left-to-right width. This is the stand diameter.
3. Add clearance. Add 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) so the collar doesn’t press on plugs or the water container.
4. Pick the collar height. Most collars are 23–30 cm (9–12 inches) tall. Pick a height that hides the stand but does not push the bottom branches up.
5. Account for the transformer or plug box. If your pre-lit tree has a power box, add 2–3 cm more or choose a collar with a notch or a door.

Tree collar vs tree skirt — which should you choose?

Both are useful. This simple comparison helps you decide.

Side-by-side: Collar vs Skirt

Feature	Tree Collar	Tree Skirt
Look	Structured, modern	Soft, classic
Pet safety	Better if solid	Worse — pets hide under it
Water access	Some collars offer panels	Always easy to reach
Storage	Often disassembles or folds	Can be bulky and heavy
Photography	Clean, minimal lines	Warm, layered look

Best tree collars for different homes

Here are easy pick lists to match different dwelling types and needs.

• Best for small apartments / renters: Collapsible fabric or woven collars (60–70 cm). They fold and store easily.
• Best for luxury looks: Hammered brass or velvet collars in deep tones.
• Best for pets & toddlers: Solid wooden tree collar with a child-safe latch and strong panels.
• Best budget DIY: Laundry basket hack or cardboard + fabric.
• Best for real trees: Collars with removable panels or doors for easy watering.

DIY — diy tree collar ideas for every budget 

If you like making things, here are three DIY projects. One is cheap and fast. 1 is mid-range. One is a proper woodworking job.

DIY 1 — €1 Laundry Basket Hack (fast, easy)

Time: 10–30 minutes | Skill: Beginner | Cost: €1–10

Materials: 1–2 plastic laundry baskets, twine, zip ties, hot glue, scissors, ribbon or spray paint.

Steps:

1. Turn the basket upside down and trim any bottom pegs so it sits flat.
2. If you want more height, stack two baskets and trim edges so they nest.
3. Secure baskets together with zip ties inside.
4. Wrap the outer seam with twine using hot glue to hide plastic.
5. Add a ribbon or spray paint for a finished look.

Why it works: Fast, cheap, and gives texture. Great for renters and last-minute staging.

DIY 2 — Cardboard + Fabric Collar (budget, custom)

Time: 30–60 minutes | Skill: Beginner–Intermediate | Cost: €5–30

Materials: Strong corrugated cardboard, fabric or wrapping paper, spray adhesive, Velcro or magnets, craft knife, ruler.

Steps:

1. Use the tree collar sizing guide to measure diameter and height.
2. Cut two semicircle panels from cardboard.
3. Cover both panels with fabric using spray glue; fold and glue edges.
4. Join the panels with cloth tape on the inside or a fabric hinge.
5. Add Velcro or magnets for closure.

Why it works: Lightweight, collapsible, and highly customisable for colours and patterns.

DIY 3 — Wooden Board Collar (sturdy, polished)

Time: 2–4 hours | Skill: Intermediate | Cost: €30–150

Materials: Wood boards or MDF, continuous piano hinge, screws, stain or paint, small door latch, sandpaper, saw or jigsaw.

Steps:

1. Mark and cut panels to your target diameter and height. Cut either 4 straight panels for a faceted look or curved panels for a round drum.
2. Sand panels smooth and pre-drill hinge holes.
3. Attach panels with the piano hinge so the collar opens.
4. Stain or paint and add a latch for a removable panel.
5. Seal the wood with wax or clear finish if you will use it with a live tree.

Why it works: Long-lasting, pet-resistant, and looks premium.

DIY comparison table

Project	Cost	Time	Durability	Storage
Laundry basket	€1–10	10–30 min	Low–Moderate	Stackable
Cardboard + fabric	€5–30	30–60 min	Low–Moderate	Collapsible
Wooden board	€30–150	2–4 hrs	High	Flat / disassembled

Care, storage & safety tips

Follow these easy rules so your collar lasts and everyone stays safe.

For real trees

• If you have a live tree, pick a collar with a removable panel. This makes watering very easy.
• Check the water level often. Don’t seal the collar so tight that you cannot lift it for watering.
• If you use a wooden collar, wipe up spills quickly and let the wood dry.

Pre-lit artificial trees

• Leave space for plugs and transformers. Use a collar with a notch or a door, so wiring is not pinched.
• Never force plugs into a tight area. This can overheat.

For pets & Toddlers

• Choose a pet safe tree collar made of solid wood or metal. These materials are hard for pets to chew.
• Avoid collars with small loose details or bulbs that a child could pull off.
• Use smooth edges and a secure latch to keep curious hands out.

Storage

• Wicker, rattan and fabric like dry storage. Keep them away from damp cellars.
• Wood should be stored flat and dry to avoid bending or warping.
• Collapsible fabric and cardboard fold flat and fit into small boxes.

Top picks & shopping buckets — quick buyer guide

When you add products to your site, use short buckets that help people decide fast:

• Budget & easy: Felt or collapsible fabric collars, or make the laundry basket DIY.
• Small spaces: 60–70 cm woven or fabric collars that store flat.
• Luxe look: Velvet, hammered-metal, or brass collars in deep tones.
• Family homes: Solid wooden tree collar with child-safe latch and strong build.
• Outdoor & damp rooms: Metal collars that resist moisture (dry them after use).

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Instant style boost for your tree.
• Hides stand and cords in a neat way.
• Good for pets and kids if you pick strong materials.
• Easy to photograph and style.

Cons

• Can cost more than a fabric skirt if you choose wood or metal.
• Wrong size looks odd. Measure first.
• Some collars limit water access if they do not open.
• Storage for large collars can be awkward.

FAQs

Conclusion

A Christmas tree collar is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your holiday tree look finished. It hides the stand, keeps cords out of sight, protects curious pets and small children, and helps your photos look polished. Use the tree collar sizing guide above to measure your stand, pick the right height, and choose a material that fits your life — wood or metal for strength, woven for organic texture, velvet for luxe photos.