How to make holiday trinket trees

Here is how to make holiday trinket trees – also known as miniature ornament trees, micro collage… regardless – they make great use of mugs or planters for the holiday season!

This concept is also great for making wreaths or filling picture frames. However, I had some extra planters and mugs I had glazed and fired, and this was such a great way to give them new life.

RELATED: Holiday Trinket Headbands

I made these so you can even remove the tree portion and use the mug or planter!

About DIY Trinket Trees

These are colorful, personality-packed tabletop trees filled with charms, miniatures, pom-poms, and little treasures from your stash. I’ve been making my own versions, and they are pure joy. Think sparkly, sentimental, and totally customizable. Put on a good movie or audiobook, and get ready for a soothing creative experience.

You can make them in any style: Spiritual, whimsical, foodie, nostalgic, or full-on Craft & Cocco energy.

Here’s how to create your own from start to finish.

Supplies for your. DIY Trinket Tree

Assorted supplies for a diy trinket tree.

• Foam cones in different sizes.
• Fabric to wrap the cone.
• Scissors.
• White craft glue and hot glue gun and glue sticks.
• Cardboard for the base.
• A container such as a mug, planter, lantern, or bowl.
• Assorted trinkets: charms, pom-poms, mini ornaments, milagros, faux succulents, tiny books, mini food items, beads, ribbon scraps, and anything else that makes your heart happ.y
• Sparkly filler such as tinsel, faux greenery, glittery stems, and berry picks.

How to make it!

Choose a festive base such as a ceramic mug, planter, or lantern.

This is so you know what size of cone and base to use.

Prep the cone

Cut a piece of fabric large enough to wrap around your foam cone. Apply a thin line of white craft glue down one side of the cone and press the fabric in place. Wrap the fabric around the cone so it fits snugly, then glue the seam. Tuck and glue the bottom edge so it looks neat. NOTE: You can also wrap in yarn. This will give your cone “grip” for adding the doodads…

Make the base

Cut a cardboard circle slightly larger than the bottom of your cone, make sure it fits snugly in your container of choice. Use white craft glue (hot glue will melt the foam!) to affix the cone to the cardboard circle you just cut. This gives your tree stability and helps it sit securely inside a container.

Set the tree in its container

Add a bit of hot glue inside the container’s edges and press the cone into place. Let it cool before adding decorations.

diy trinket tree base — Wrap the cone in fabric or yarn so it is easy to hot glue on the items.

Add trinkets and treasures

Now the fun part: layering! Start with medium-size pieces like round ornaments, pinecones to build your structure, then fill gaps with smaller trinkets. Arrange items evenly around the cone to keep it balanced. Mix textures — shiny, matte, fluffy, metallic — for a rich, joyful look.

Fill the empty spots

Use sparkly filler like pipe cleaners or sparkly ribbon to bring everything together. Tuck in tinsel, glitter stems, faux greenery, or mini ornaments. This step makes the tree feel full and magical.

diy trinket tree — Use a variety of items! I like to start with an object in the middle and work my way out. I even used a keychain and mini-food items!

Add a topper

Finish with a special piece at the top: a figurine, pom-pom cluster, ribbon bow, or even a tiny milagro or heart charm.

Tips for making yours pop

• Stick to a color story or theme for maximum impact.
• Add meaningful items such as old earrings, travel souvenirs, or bits of broken jewelry.
• For a Latin-inspired look, mix bright colors, lotería symbols, mini food charms, or Virgen de Guadalupe touches.
• These make great gifts for teachers, coworkers, or hostesses.