Plaid is the big trend in winter decorating and this buffalo check plaid Christmas Tree does not disappoint with its trendy yet classic look.
Looking for inspiration to create a Buffalo Check Christmas Tree? You've come to the right place! This DIY Buffalo Plaid tree is not only beautiful but affordable too!
Supplies
- buffalo check fabric
- thick yarn for pom poms
- inexpensive bulk red ornaments
- antlers
- mercury glass ornaments
Money Saving Tips
- Shop at Home Goods or TJ Maxx type stores to look for affordable "statement" ornaments to accent the tree
- Buy inexpensive bulk filler ornaments at places like At Home, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart
- Create your own garland using cut strips of fabric (see below)
- Make your own "snowball" pom poms with yarn (tutorial here)
- To find free deer antlers, call a deer processing facility and see if they any you can have
- Shop the after-Christmas clearance sales to stock up for next year!
If you follow along on Instagram you may have see me going to one of my very favorite places last week-yes, IKEA. It's been one of the highlights of moving to DC to be within easy driving distance to that store-it's my happy place! I set out on a mission last Friday with one objective in mind-their amazing (and affordable) Buffalo Check fabric. In fact when I got there I was temporarily overwhelmed when I found that they had it in not one but THREE colors. Yes. I bought them all.
DIY Fabric Christmas Tree Garland
After I got home I pulled out the Christmas tree and cut the fabric into 3" wide strips to use as garland. Y'all...you know when you have a vision and it just works out perfectly-that's how this was, I knew I wanted a Buffalo Check Plaid Christmas Tree and I was tickled pink over the way it turned out!
I accented the plaid with pom poms from my DIY Giant PomPom Wreath from last year, as well as the some mercury glass ornaments I found at Homegoods last year.
The red ornaments are all leftover cheap plastic ornaments from the DIY Ornament Wreath I shared years ago and to really add a rustic look I even tucked some antlers into the boughs!
I'm lucky that my kids and husband tolerate my "visions" for changing our tree's look each year! My sons were so excited to break out the decorations and I had a hard time getting them to put the antlers in the tree because they were holding on their own heads and pretending to be silly deer!
My oldest son wanted the banister decorated so I pulled out some old faux boxwood and wound it up the stairs, adding more of the buffalo check fabric strips in bows and some oversized mercury glass ornaments I found at Homegoods as well last year. (Those giant ornaments hung from our dining room chandelier last year.)
We're going to have another, live tree this year as soon as I can find one locally. I plan on hanging all of our sentimental ornaments on that one (as well as the travel themed ones I talked about last year.)
To top off the tree I added a glittered "JOY" sign I bought on clearance at Target last year just after Christmas. I wired it in so it wouldn't fall and I loved the way it finished off the tree. I couldn't seem to photograph it well int he evening, here is a daytime picture so you can see it better:
I have big plans for that fabric for some accent pillows and some other fun holiday projects so stay tuned! Has anyone else started their holiday decorating yet?
Patty says
Melissa thank you for your help opening your E-mail, boy was it worth it. My hubby is originally from Baltimore and years and years and years ago while visiting my mother-in-law we took our 3 sons to Washington DC. They were handing out a lot of information about a new store that was opening named IKEA. We weren't around when it actually did open but a few years later on our way home to Connecticut we saw an IKEA and I was hooked. We have an IKEA in New Haven CT (we are in Fairfield) and it is one of my favorite stores - my hubby HATES it but goes with me anyway. Thanks again for your help. We planned to go to IKEA next week and now I know what I will be looking for.
Melissa says
My husband isn't a fan of going to IKEA with me either! He had the day off and my younger boys went with me (they love the play area) and I had my shopping list complete before I went-I was a woman on a mission so I could get in and out fast!!
Nc says
Your tree is lovely! I find it amusing that what was called gingham is now called Buffalo Plaid. It must seem more "hip" than gingham!
Melissa says
You know, that is exactly why I named the post "buffalo check" because it's the "in" term for it rather than plaid or gingham!! I figured people might be googling for inspiration and use that instead of what i grew up calling it!
Becca says
It's beautiful ... the buffalo check fabrics are awesome! What a lovely holiday welcome for your family and friends! And you KNOW I love IKEA, especially having it so close to us both! 😉
Melissa says
Thanks so much Becca-you know that means a lot coming from you! Let me know if you ever want to meet up at IKEA for some blogger shopping!
Debbie says
I was wondering where you got your tree? What is the diameter and how many tips does it have? I am looking for one just that size. I love the decorations. : )
Melissa says
Hi Debbie! My tree is from Balsalm Hill, it's a 7.5' tall, 49" stratford spruce: https://www.balsamhill.com/Stratford-Spruce-by-Balsam-Hill-p/STR-T.htm