Tag: grinch tree

How to Make a Nine-Foot Grinch Christmas Tree {DIY Whoville Tree}
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Want to add some whimsy and playfulness to your Christmas decor? Make this Whoville Christmas tree! It’s simpler than you think, and everyone will admire your unique decor. Here’s how to make a Grinch tree for Christmas.

There are many versions of the Dr. Seuss-inspired Grinch tree, from Whoville-esque trees adorned with candy-coloured ornaments to snow-covered, oddly-shaped trees that set the scene outdoors.

Perhaps the most iconic is a tall, skinny evergreen wound up with wire and a heavy ornament dangling from the curved-over top. These represent the trees that Mr. Grinch robbed of ornaments and then shut like an umbrella before tossing in his giant sack.

Quirky looking and cartoonish, a Whoville Christmas tree’s message is that Christmas isn’t about presents, or ornaments, or trees, or even roast beast.

“Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more.”

Let’s embrace the true spirit of the Grinch!

Add Cheer With a Whoville Christmas Tree

It was Christmas 2011 when I was feeling a little blue during the holidays, and I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate much. By some magic, a Grinch tree entered my life, and Christmas was saved!

You can read all about the Magic of the Grinch tree here. Bonus: you will get to see how much my old dog Meatball resembles the Grinch.

After I published that post, I proceeded to field what seemed like endless emails from people ALL OVER THE WORLD trying to order the Grinch-inspired Christmas tree. I was blown away!

I emailed everyone back to say that I had described in the post how I made it, but they just wanted me to make them one, or fifteen, and in, like, the next two days, and then ship it across the continent.

Good grief!

I considered making them (for a minute), but since I’m more about “teaching someone to fish” than “fishing for them” I planned to write a tutorial on how to make a Grinch tree.

My nine foot Grinch tree is big enough to be the sole Christmas tree of the house.

A Simple DIY Project

That is really the whole point of everything I do here on Garden Therapy: showing how to make some fun garden (or garden-inspired) project that gets people jazzed enough to give it a try. I hope they just may catch the gardening bug, get outside, have fun, and sing the praises of gardening to all, just like those little Whoville kids. I have big dreams.

Anyway, I politely told folks how to make the Grinch-inspired Christmas tree and the ones who made them sent the praises of a) how much fun it was, b) how easy it was, and c) how everyone loved their unique tree. Want to learn how to make one, too? I’ve got you covered!

How to Make a Grinch Tree

Today, I will break down the whole thing, step-by-step. Even better, you won’t be making a regular old Grinch tree. Nope, today you will learn to make one that is nine feet tall!

By the way, if you don’t have the space or just want something a bit smaller, I recommend you check out my post on how to make a tabletop Grinch tree. It’s the perfect way to pack all that holiday whimsy into a tiny package. 😉

For this particular tutorial, however, we are going large! Let’s talk about how to build an impressive 9-foot-tall Whoville Christmas tree!

For extra height, you can prop it up on a small table or chair like I did.

Materials

Make It!

Choose a full cedar shrub that is healthy, stands upright, and is symmetrical. I used a 5′ cedar hedge because that was what was available during the winter months.

If you think ahead and grab one when there are plenty of nurseries open that are full of 8′ hedges, you will have an easier time fashioning it into a Grinch tree.

I added extra boughs of cedar to increase the height of the potted cedar.

Use the wire to attach the green plant stake to one or more strong stems in the center of the hedge. You want the stake to add an extra 3′ in height. (The remaining foot will be the branches that hang over the top.)

Begin adding boughs of cedar to build up the tree at the top, covering the plant stake. Begin with the cedar branches starting from below the stake with the leaves facing upwards, and layer more and more onto the stake to fill in branches all the way up to the top.

Continue adding branches and securing them with the garden wire until you have the rough shape that you want, with at least a foot of cedar draping from the very top of the plant stake. Reserve a few branches for filling in spots once you have bound the hedge.

If the tree is unstable at all, use 1-2 more stakes inserted in the center of the plant and use wire to attach it.

Now, when you have the height and fullness you want, you can begin wrapping the lights around the tree. Start at the bottom and wind miniature white lights around the tree fairly snugly, tucking in floppy branches as you go.

The final look should be a bound, skinny, evergreen tree with a floppy top.

The top should naturally curve due to the weight of the topper but you can use the wire to help curve the top.

Decorate the Grinch Tree

Place the pot on the plant tray and set the whole thing into the burlap sack. Use ribbon to tie the sack at the top.

Wind decor mesh around the tree, then add a large but fairly light ornament to the very top of the tree.

What is a Christmas tree without lights?

At this point, you can really personalize it. The tree is complete as it is, but you can add some of your favourite ornaments as well. I would recommend small ones so as not to overpower the skinny design.

The topper ornament is a must-have to make it a true Grinch tree.

Want a smaller version? Don’t forget to check out how this tabletop Grinch tree turned out!

Frequently Asked Questions About Grinch Trees

How do you turn a Christmas tree into a Grinch tree?

There are two key things you need to do to turn a tree into a Grinch inspired Christmas tree. The first, you need to wrap it with wire to tighten and gather the branches together so they’re all facing upward. You may need to add some extra boughs to bulken it up.

The other key part of a Grinch tree is it’s curved top. The tree should naturally flop with the weight of the topper ornament, but you can also help curve it with the wire.

What colours go on a Grinch tree?

The most common colours to decorate a Grinch tree are red. The top ornament and the ribbon around the tree should be red or green if you want to replicate the Whooville Christmas tree, as well as a burlap sack at the bottom. But decorate it however you want!

More Christmas Ideas:
DIY Grinch Tree {How to Make a Whoville Christmas Tree}

This 9-foot tall Grinch tree is sure to add whimsey and fun to your Christmas decor this year.

Place your pot into the burlap sack and tie it with ribbon.

Use the wire to attach the green plant stake to one or more strong stems in the center of the hedge. You want to add the extra height to the tree to make it 9-feet tall. The amount you need to add depends on how tall your tree is.

Begin adding boughs of cedar to build up the tree at the top. Make sure to cover the plant stake. Begin with the cedar branches starting from below the stake with the leaves facing upwards, and layer more and more onto the stake to fill in branches all the way up to the top.

Continue adding branches secured with the garden wire until you have the rough shape that you want. To get that classic Whoville Christmas tree look, make sure to leave at least a foot of cedar draping from the very top of the plant stake.

Fill in any areas that look sparse with more branches if necessary.

Wrap lights around the tree, starting at the bottom. Make sure to tuck them into the greenery.

Next, wrap the deco mesh ribbon around the tree. Red will be the most classic color to use.

Add a large ornament to the top of the tree, then smaller ones within the branches if you like.
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Stephanie Rose

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November 22, 2023
A Small Tree With a Big Message: How to Make a Grinch Tree
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A mini Grinch tree is quick and easy to make, and it will instantly fill your home with Christmas cheer. Exactly what the Grinch would hope for! Here’s how you can make your own tabletop Grinch tree, and perhaps a few extras to spread some more holiday joy.

While it’s lovely to have classic holiday decor, like elegant Christmas trees decked in traditional ornaments and holly-adorned wreaths, I also like to inject the Christmas season with a little quirkiness and whimsy.

Queue this little wonder! Not only is it adorable and brings back happy childhood memories of Dr. Seuss’s Beloved How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but this miniature Grinch tree is also a table-top reminder of the spirit of the holidays.

Learn how to make one and, more importantly, why you should!

The Magic of the Mini Grinch Tree

In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss perfectly explains what the holidays mean to me:

I wrote about how a Grinch tree saved Christmas for me many years ago, and ever since, I have been making many different versions to celebrate the season (like this 9-foot Grinch tree!). This year, my Grinch trees are smaller, portable, and GIVEable.

So when I hear about someone feeling a bit blue and could use a little holiday warmth, a tabletop Grinch tree will show up at their door to put a smile on their face.

For this project, you can use any mini evergreen tree, but I used a lemon cypress. Lemon cypress trees are easy to find for sale around the holidays. They have a great scent and are a vibrant yellow-green colour.

They do need a lot of humidity, though, so if you choose a lemon cypress, be sure to water it often (twice a week or so) and spritz it with water regularly.

Want to make a mini Grinch tree or three for the people in your life? Here’s how!

How to Make a Tabletop Grinch Tree

I’ve seen quite a few variations of the mini Grinch tree. Notably, many grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s, are now selling their own versions of them.

The Trader Joe’s Grinch tree is much skinnier and has a little less pizazz. I like making my own because I can customize the decorations and the type of plant I use.

But if there’s a part of the Trader Joe’s Grinch tree you don’t like, you could easily disassemble it and follow these instructions to customize the tree with their materials.

I’ve also seen other variations where the tree isn’t living and is instead constructed out of cedar boughs. I prefer this method of making a mini Grinch tree as it’s much simpler to do, and you get a living plant afterward!

With the right care, you can use the same plant next year to create another tabletop Grinch tree.

Floral wire helps to keep all the branches tight and in place.

Materials

Make It!

Take your evergreen out of its nursery pot and plant it in a colourful pot with good potting soil. Position the tree in the pot so it is closer to one side and sticking out at an angle.

Planting at an angle already gives the tree a Grinch like shape.

Add some decorative moss on top of the soil.

While technically optional, the moss makes it much more visually appealing.

If you want to add string lights, do that next. Starting at the bottom and working your way up, wind the string lights around the tree. If the string of lights is long enough, start winding back down to the bottom of the tree after you reach the top.

Add the ribbon and/or floral wire for a garland. Wind it around the tree like the lights, beginning at the bottom and working your way up. Tuck the loose ends in to keep it in place.

You can also use green wire if you want it to be more hidden.

Next, you will need some ornaments. There are many possibilities for what you could use to adorn this little tree, but for this one, I left it plain except for my wire garland and one large topper ornament.

If you want to add more to yours, try using glittery mini pom-poms. To make the pom-poms into ornaments, thread single pom-poms onto straight jewelry pins, then bend the pins into a hook shape and hang them all over the tree.

The big ornament ties it all together.

For the top, attach your large ornament to the top of the tree so that it bends down toward the center of the pot.

Add a festive bow around the pot, and you’re done!

The bow really makes a difference!

More DIY Holiday Decor Ideas
DIY Mini Grinch Tree

This mini Grinch tree can be made using your evergreen of choice, turning a living tree into a festive decoration for the holidays.

Plant your mini evergreen tree into a colourful pot with potting soil. When planting, position the tree to one side and slightly at an angle.

Top off the soil with decorative moss.

Optional. Add string lights by starting at the bottom and winding your way up and down.

Use ribbon or floral wire as a garland and to wrap the tree. Begin at the bottom and work your way up. Tuck in the loose ends and slowly bend the top of the tree into a curved shape as you wind.

Decorate with ornaments of choice. Add a large round ornament at the tree’s end for the signature Grinch look. This also helps your tree curve and hang.
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Stephanie Rose

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November 20, 2023