Alphabet Block Christmas Tree
During the sweltering days of July, I went on a thrift-store mission to find vintage toys for a Christmas tree I am decorating for a November fundraiser benefiting our local Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
Yes, I was fully embracing the Christmas planning mood a little early this year.
One of the treasures I found was a plastic tote filled with alphabet blocks—big and small—for only $4.99.
It was the perfect find for this month’s Do It Over Designers Challenge. Our theme is Free to Five, which challenges us to recreate or repurpose something we found for $5 or less.
Today, I’m sharing how I turned some of those thrifted blocks into an Alphabet Block Christmas Tree.
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THIS POST IS PART OF THE ‘DO IT OVER’ DESIGNERS LINK PARTY. A GROUP OF DESIGNERS WHO TAKE SOMETHING OLD AND/OR UNUSED AND ‘DO IT OVER’ INTO SOMETHING NEW. THESE ITEMS CAN BE FOUND IN CLOSETS, BARNS, GARAGES, YARD SALES, THRIFT STORES, YOU NAME IT!
One tote of blocks = four Christmas Craft Projects
This is actually the second of four projects I have planned for that $4.99 tote of blocks. The first was a set of Alphabet Block Christmas Ornaments I made for my grandkids. I’ll be sharing the other two projects over the next few weeks as I finish them.
Alphabet blocks are one of those classic toys that never seem to go out of style. They have a vintage charm that makes them especially fun to repurpose into home decor—and they are perfect for Christmas projects.
So when I spotted that tote filled with blocks, I didn’t hesitate to put it in my cart. I saw them and immediately knew they were coming home with me.
How to repurpose Alphabet blocks for a Christmas tree
Pinterest inspired the idea for this DIY alphabet block Christmas tree.
I originally searched for Christmas ornament ideas when I came across an image of a stacked tree made from wooden blocks. I loved the idea and knew I wanted to create my own version using my thrift-store find.
Although the alphabet blocks only cost $4.99, I did purchase a few additional supplies to assemble and decorate the tree. Thankfully, Christmas decorations were already 50 percent off at Hobby Lobby, so the overall cost of this project was still very reasonable.
Start with a good wooden base for the tree
For the base of the tree, I purchased a round wooden circle at my local Walmart. I painted it with red acrylic craft paint to create a colorful foundation for the block tree.
To start building the tree, I used a ruler to find the center of the wooden circle. Then I centered a small bowl over that point and traced around it. The circle gave me a guide for placing the first layer of alphabet blocks.
When I laid out the blocks for the first circle, and the second layer, I quickly realized that I was making the block tree too wide. I traced a smaller circle and started again. Thankfully, I tested out the layout before adding any glue.
I used E6000 glue to attach the blocks to the wooden base and to each other. I allowed each layer to dry securely before adding the next tier.
My finished alphabet block Christmas tree has ten tapering tiers, ending with just three blocks at the top.
Decorating the Alphabet Block Christmas Tree
Once the tree was assembled, it was time for the fun part—adding all the miniature Christmas decorations.
I found the tiny decorations in Hobby Lobby’s My Little Christmas collection. I chose a small gold glitter star for the top, colorful glitter-covered ornaments, a miniature faux-fur tree skirt, tiny wrapped presents, and a garland that looks like a strand of old-fashioned Christmas lights.
After building the tree, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to attach the gold star to the top.
Luckily, I had a supply of pre-cut dowel rods in my craft stash. One of them fit perfectly inside the top blocks, leaving just enough of the dowel exposed for the rings on the star to slide over it.
Yet another reason to keep a stash of craft supplies!
I used hot glue to attach the miniature light garland and colorful ornaments around the block tree. Then I cut one of the miniature faux-fur tree skirts into strips and used them to cover the outer edge of the wooden base.
I love how this little tree turned out!
I didn’t count the exact number of alphabet blocks I used, but there are 16 blocks on the bottom layer and ten tiers altogether. My best guess is that this Christmas tree contains at least 100 blocks.
Not bad for a $4.99 thrift-store find!
If I have enough blocks left after completing my other planned projects, I may make a second, smaller alphabet-block Christmas tree to display beneath my donated fundraiser tree, alongside the vintage toys.
But first, I have a couple more crafty ideas planned for the remaining blocks.
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Please visit the other talented and creative bloggers who joined in this month’s ‘Do It Over’ Challenge.
Hugs,
What a great idea for a child’s room!! Great recycling craft, too!
Thanks Patti
This is absolutely darling!! I never venture into the kids’ area of the thrift stores, but you bet that this season it’ll be my first stop! How sweet!!
Thanks Kim. It definitely required a focused approach to each thrift store.
What a clever idea, such a fun upcycle.
Thank you
Wow, that’s so creative Donna! I have some blocks like those but not enough to make a whole tree sadly.
It did take a lot of blocks. More than I expected. But it was fun to make.
How cool is this, Donna! You are the queen of DIY Alphabet Blocks Crafts! This one is truly a one-of-a kind vintage and handmade tree! I love that it is an eco-friendly, charming and unique way of bringing the magic of Christmas for all to see! Great holiday DIY!
Thanks Gail. I have another one finished this week but not sure yet when I am going to post about it.
So, so cute!!! I love this idea and not only is it fairly inexpensive (especially if you can find the blocks at a thrift store) but it looks fairly easy, as well! Great job!
Thank you.
Donna – oh my goodness! What a perfect idea for children’s blocks. I have always wanted to come across a tote full of these blocks. I thought ornaments were the perfect idea until I saw your tree. If the fundraiser is an auction, I have a feeling you will bring in some big money and one happy person who gets to take it home. You will have to let us know how it goes.
Thanks Cara. I really want to keep this one so maybe a smaller one for the fundraiser tree event.
Your tree is precious, Donna and you hit the jackpot with a tote of blocks for $4.99. I have some blocks, but not nearly enough to make a tree. I guess I need to look for more now!
Thanks and good luck sourcing them. I was very surprised at the amount of vintage toys I found at the thrift store.
Wow Donna; this is fabulous! It’s the thrift find that just keeps giving! I’ve been enjoying all your block projects – makes me want to find a stash of my own. Can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thanks Sara. I just finished up the third project but I am not sure when I will post about it yet.