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You are going to love this DIY Potato Masher turned Primitive Christmas Tree tutorial! Its super cute and makes for a great holiday tabletop decoration. This fun rustic craft uses a repurposed vintage potato masher with wooden handle and some rusty bells and pins!
This super easy Christmas decoration will add rustic charm to your holiday decor and it’s guaranteed to bring “extra smashing” cheer this holiday season!
I love handmade primitive Christmas decorations! And anytime I can make a fun holiday craft using repurposed kitchen utensils and other trinkets makes it even better.
So, when I saw this cute Christmas Tree made with a vintage wooden handled potato masher I knew it would fit perfect in our house.
If you like this Christmas tree tutorial, then you’ll love this DIY Primitive Tree! Mine is on display year around!
RELATED: Handmade Christmas Stocking Ornament
Make Your Own DIY Potato Masher Christmas Tree
What You Need To Begin
Your really only need a few items to put this rustic holiday craft together.
- Vintage wood-handled potato masher – can be purchased at yard sales, flea markets or thrift stores. Since you like country, you probably already have one being used as a kitchen utensil decoration.
- 5 – Wired spruce garland ties – these can be picked up at Dollar Tree – a 12pk for only $1.00 or ordered on line.
- 10 – Rusty miniature craft jingle bells – these can be purchased at some craft stores, or you can order it online.
- 10 – Rusty small safety pins – these are available online as well.
- A 2-inch (2″) rusty star – I picked this one up at my local craft store, but it is available online.
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue – most crafters and DIYers already one of these. But, if you don’t you can order one here.
- Wire cutters – your probably have a pair of these in the garage. If not, you can pickup at any department store or order online as well.
STEP 1. GLUE HOLIDAY GARLAND TIES
First step is to begin at the bottom of the antique wooden handle. From the back, center a holiday garland tie, wrap it around to the front, placing each end on opposite sides. Glue in place on both front and back.
Move up handle ½ – ¾ inch and do the same with the second garland tie.
Continue to repeat this step, with the 3rd and 4th garland ties, leaving at least ½-inch between each one. Once at the top of the antique handle, leave a ½-inch space at the top.
STEP 2. TRIMMING AND SHAPE VINTAGE TREE
Next is shaping your repurposed potato masher tabletop Christmas tree.
Bottom tree limb will remain as it is. Move up to the second, from the bottom, and cut with wire cutters, to roughly ¾-inch shorter on EACH side than the one below it. Move to the next limb and repeat this cut up to the last limb.
Next, wrap one end of a holiday garland tie tightly, 2-3 times, around the top ½-inch you left exposed – it’s ok to overlap wraps, hot glue in place.
Lastly, pull garland tie up and cut, with wire cutters to roughly 1½-inches long.
Not any of these measurements have to be exact. This is the great part of handmade crafts, no two are exactly the same. And primitive crafts are even better, they are supposed to look rustic, used and old.
STEP 3. RUSTY STAR TREE TOPPER
This is the easy part. Attach the 2-inch rusty star, with hot glue, to the top 1½-inch vertical limb. And your repurposed vintage potato masher Christmas tree is ready to decorate!
STEP 4. DECORATING
This is the fun part. Run a rusty safety pin through the top loop of rusty bell and close it shut. Do this for all 10 pins and bells.
Now, simply slide closed safety pins over each limb and place where they look best to you. It’s your handmade primitive Christmas craft!
I alternated – one row got 3 while the next got only 2 rusty pins with bells for a total of 10. You of course, can make it your own.
Once completed, this beautiful vintage potato masher Christmas tree, with holiday garland ties, decorated with rusty bells, safety pins and star makes a great primitive holiday decoration. Make it your own by adding as many elements you desire.
Interested In More DIY Holiday Crafts? Check these out:
- How to Make a Holiday Twig Wreath
- 45 Handmade Christmas Ornaments
- DIY Rustic Candy Cane Ornament / Bowl Fillers
- Fun Christmas Holiday Garland
- Easy Clothespin Turned Snowman Ornament
- 39 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas in 15 Minutes of Less
DIY Potato Masher Primitive Christmas Tree
Fun potato masher turned Primitive Christmas Tree tabletop craft. This Potato Masher Christmas Tree will bring lots of Christmas cheer!! It made with: a vintage potato masher, holiday garland ties, and rusty bells, safety pins and a star.
Materials
- Vintage Wood Handle Potato Masher
- 5 - Holiday Garland Ties
- 10 - 3/8" Rusty bells
- 10 - 3/4" Rusty Safety Pins
- 1 - 2" Rusty Star
Tools
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Instructions
- Beginning at the bottom of the handle, from the back, center a garland tie and wrap it around the handle to the front. Glue in place on both front and back. Move up handle ½-¾ inch, repeat with other ties leaving a ½-¾ inch space on the top.
- Next, leave bottom tree limb full length. Move up to second limb and cut it to ¾-inch shorter on both sides of the one below it. Move to the next limb and repeat this cut to the top limb.
- And now, wrap one end of another garland tie tightly around the top of ½-inch of handle you left 2-4 times. (it's ok to overlap wraps). Hot glue in place. Lastly, pull garland tie up vertically and cut, to roughly 1½-inches long and glue on rusty star.
- Open straight pins and insert through the top loop of each bell and close shut. Do this for all 10 pins and bells.
- Lastly, simply slide closed safety pins over each limb and place where they look best to you.
Notes
Not any of these cuts or placement of bells has to be precise. That's the great part about handmade primitive crafts, no two are exact. Make it your own!
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Dianne Hadorn is the owner of Hidden Springs Homestead nestled in the hills of East Tennessee. She is a Master Gardener and enjoys helping others learn how to grow and preserve their own food and sharing tips for living a more self-sufficient lifestyle.