$12 Christmas Tree Challenge: How I Made a Kmart Tree Look Luxe
CHRISTMAS DECORATING
$12 TREE, LUXE LOOK
Can a $12 Kmart Christmas tree look luxe? I set myself a challenge this year: take the cheapest 6ft tree I could find and see if I could style it into something that looks like it came from a high-end florist. Spoiler: I think I nailed it! 🌲 Here's exactly what I used, how I put it together, and the tricks that make a budget tree look expensive.
WATCH THE VIDEOSHOP DECORATIONSWatch: $12 tree to luxe tree
What I used
- 🌲 1 x 6ft tree from Kmart ($12)
- 🌲 1 x Cypress Pine Garland
- 🌲 2 x Pepper Garlands
- 🌲 3 x Clustered Pine Bundles (4 picks per bunch)
- 🌲 10 x Aurelia Picks (sorry, these have sold out!)
- 🌲 Le Forge Mice Ornaments
- 🌲 A string of warm fairy lights
- 🌲 Red velvet ribbon and gold berries I already had from last year
- 🌲 A woven cane basket to sit the tree in
Step by step
1Hide the stand
The fastest way to make a cheap tree look expensive is to get rid of that plastic stand. I sat mine in a woven cane basket, which lifts the tree, hides the legs and gives it that styled, florist look straight away.
2Wrap in garlands
This is where the magic happens. I wound three garlands around the tree: one Cypress Pine and two Pepper. Mixing different textures and greens is the key. One type of foliage can look flat, but layering the soft, feathery cypress with the berried pepper garland looks full, natural and expensive. Tuck the ends into the branches and fluff as you go.
3Add lights
Weave a string of warm fairy lights through the garlands, pushing some deep into the tree so it glows from the inside, not just on the surface.
4Fill the gaps with picks
Next I pulled apart 3 bunches of our Clustered Pine Bundles (4 picks per bunch) and pushed the 12 picks into any gaps to bulk the tree out. Then I added 10 Aurelia picks for a bit of sparkle. The Aurelia picks have sold out, but any berry, eucalyptus or glitter pick will do the same job. Push picks in at different angles so it doesn't look too uniform.
5Go big with a bow
Skip the star and go for an oversized bow. I used red velvet ribbon layered with gold, then let the tails trail down the tree. It's such an easy way to add colour and drama.
6Finish with the cutest ornaments
With all that lush greenery you don't need many decorations. I kept it simple with our Le Forge mice ornaments and some gold berries. The little mice make it feel festive and a bit whimsical, and the restraint is what keeps it looking luxe rather than cluttered.
Tips to make any tree look luxe
1Hide the base
A basket, tree collar or large pot makes any tree look more expensive.
2Layer different greenery
Mix at least two garland types, then add pine picks to fill gaps and add texture and depth.
3Light from the inside out
Push lights deep into the tree, not just around the outside.
4Pick a tight colour palette
Green, red and gold is classic. Fewer colours always looks more considered.
5Less is more with baubles
Let the greenery do the work and add a handful of special ornaments.
Want more ideas? Check out our Christmas decorating ideas and our Christmas gift guide.
Shop the look
Some of the pieces I used are limited and selling fast, so if you love the look, don't wait too long! Shop the whole range of garlands, picks and ornaments in our Christmas decorations collection.
Green Cypress Pine Garland - 180 cm$69.99
Green Pepper Garland - 160 cm$49.99
53cm Clustered Artificial Pine Bundle
Le Forge Wood & Metal Mice Christmas Tree Ornaments$12.99
More Le Forge mice to mix and match:
Le Forge Ma & Pa Mice Christmas Tree Ornaments$12.99
Le Forge Yuletide Snowball Mice Christmas Ornaments
Le Forge Yuletide Mice Cuppa Christmas OrnamentFREE NZ delivery on orders over $160. Christmas despatch cut-offs: 18 December for the North Island, 21 December for the South Island (before midday) and 7 December for Australia.
Let me know what you think of the tree!
Tag us or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to see your budget-luxe trees too. 🎄
Angela x
