Skip to main content
Bunnings

How to make a Christmas teepee

Five Christmas teepees covered in glowing fairy lights sitting on an outdoor deck

Overview

If you’re short on space this festive season, a Christmas teepee is the perfect way to decorate! Otherwise known as a mini Christmas tree, it’s an easy D.I.Y. project that makes for a beautiful addition to any home. Use it as your main tree with presents around it, or as a complement to your overall style, adding a little sparkle to the bottom of your staircases, your dining table, your mantle or even your garden!

They are the ideal decoration for your entryway, porch, patio and deck, as fairy lights are waterproof and don’t overheat and the vegie cage doesn’t rust. It’s an inexpensive option for those trying to decorate on a budget and will last for years, providing you pack and store it away properly.

Best of all, it’s a blank canvas for your own creative style – once you’ve got the basics, it’s up to you how you decorate your Christmas teepee. You can add ornaments, greenery, or additional lights in different colours to achieve the look and feel you’re after.

Tools and materials

Tools and materials

    Steps

    1. 1

      Gather your tools and materials

      Below you'll find all the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.
    2. 2

      Turn your vegie cage upside down

      Turn your first vegie cage upwards so the base is on the floor. Push all four points together to make a tip. Hold the four points together and tape them together using the cable ties. Cut the excess cord using scissors. Repeat with your other two cages. You now have your trees!

    3. 3

      Decorate with fairy lights

      Open the first fairy light box and unravel the lights. Starting at the tip of your tree, cable tie the end of the fairy lights to the tip of your tree. Cut off the excess cord. Once it is secure, start wrapping the lights around the tree, continuing until you reach the very bottom. If needed, you can secure the lights with cable ties at intervals to ensure they don't slip. Repeat with your other two trees and other boxes of fairy lights. Add the batteries to each battery pack and turn on your lights.

    4. 4

      Hide the solar panel

      Lift the tree and place the solar panel inside so the lights obscure it. Place it in your desired spot and watch as your Christmas teepee comes to life.

      When it's time to pack everything away, wrap the fairy lights around an empty toilet roll to prevent tangling and carefully place the frame in a safe place for next year. Alternatively, you can repurpose the teepee for an all-year round sparkle by simply removing the Christmas elements. 

    5. 5

      Ready to give it a go?

      Explore our full range of vegie cages and fairy lights for your next D.I.Y. project. 

    Get inspired by projects from the Bunnings Workshop community

    Health & Safety

    Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

    Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.