How to Paint a Christmas Tree

Learn how to paint an artificial Christmas tree a different color. This painted white Christmas tree and homemade ornaments are easy holiday home decor craft ideas!

How to Paint a Christmas Tree

Painting a Christmas tree a different color is an easy craft project and a great way to repurpose an old Christmas tree just sitting in your attic. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Over the years, my collection of artificial trees has grown, as old ones break or wear out. If you have an old tree that you want to add some life to, learn how to paint a Christmas tree!

I love decorating my home for Christmas and am happy to share one of my Christmas tree ideas from the Michaels Dream Tree Challenge of the past.

This DIY project includes an easy tutorial for how to paint a Christmas tree.

Change the Color of a Christmas Tree

When I was asked to decorate a new pre-lit tree, I had just changed the colors in my living room to white and silver and needed a white tree, but the tree I was sent was the usual evergreen. The solution to my problem was to paint the tree!

This is my new white Christmas tree after I painted it! I love that it’s full of glitter and sparkle.

I’m excited to show you one of my favorite Christmas DIY ideas today! Find more creative Christmas DIY ideas and recipes here.

I chose a theme of stars and silver glitter. It was a blast shopping for new ornaments and decor. Get directions on how to make this simple star ornament craft here.

Can you spray paint a pre-lit Christmas tree?

How do you spray paint a Christmas tree with lights? That’s the main question I get a lot. It can be done but takes masking tape and a lot of patience. I had my daughter help me un-cover the lights with tape – she loved it!

Pin this photo to save for later so you won’t forget what you need to do! Scroll down for full directions.

Star Themed Easy DIY White Christmas Tree

What you see on my tree all came from Michaels several years ago when I decorated this tree. I’m sure they have even more fantastic items to choose from now. That year, I apparently saw stars and chose that as my Christmas tree theme.

I almost went with an owl theme because I found some really cute ones, but the stars kept calling my name… so I had to buy them and reach for the stars!

 

Can You Really Paint a Christmas Tree White?

Yes! Painting a tree is super easy. I love the traditional evergreen tree, but I have always wanted a white tree! Painting my tree only took 3 simple steps and it turned out a beautiful frosty color, not totally white. 

I love painting trees to look like a flocked tree. There is no mess after you paint it and my cat stays away from this tree which is a nice bonus! He loves nibbling on flocked trees for some weird reason.

 

What You’ll Need to Paint a Christmas Tree

If you don’t have an old Christmas tree to repurpose and paint, get a cheap one on Amazon! I’d get this Christmas Tree and then add lights.

To make a tree that looks like mine, here are my suggested supplies:

For painting the tree:

• Inexpensive Pre-Lit Christmas Tree
• White Spray Paint
• Masking Tape
• Plastic Drop Cloth

Decorations:

• Large Paper Stars – Find them on Amazon here. 
• Wooden Snowflake Ornaments
• Clear Glass Ornaments
• Silver Pine Cone and Star Ornaments – I love this kit here.
• Small White Bird Ornaments
• Silver Glitter Scrapbook Paper (for my DIY ornament)
• White Pom Pom Garland
• Silver Leaf Garland
• Burlap Garland
• Silver Glitter Ribbon
• Glitter Bird with Feather Tail (top of tree)
• Silver Sequins (for my DIY ornament)

How to Paint a Christmas Tree In a Few Easy Steps

Get ready to learn how to paint an artificial Christmas tree a different color. Give an old Christmas tree a new look with a few simple painting steps!

STEP 1 – Prepare Tree for Painting

If your Christmas tree has lights, cover them with masking tape.

Removing the tape from the lights took the longest. This is when children like my daughter who love a good task, come in handy! After a while, my helper moved on to playing with her Barbies. I would say it took a good 30-40 minutes to take off all of that tape by myself.

What if I accidentally paint my lights? I found a few bulbs that I forgot to cover and the paint scraped right off. So don’t worry if you miss some. I’m sure nail polish remover would remove it as well.

STEP 2 – Paint Christmas tree

Take the tree outside in a tree stand, place a drop cloth on the ground, and use satin white spray paint for the paint. Cover as much of the tree as you can with the paint. 

STEP 3 – Let Dry

Let the tree completely dry, remove the tape, and start decorating.

You can see the paint in this close-up photo along with a few of my DIY ornaments.

After the paint dried, my Christmas tree didn’t become totally white, but more of a frosty green similar to the white winter wreath I painted a few years ago. They both match now and I love the way it turned out!

I hope you have fun painting your tree this year! I loved the way mine turned out. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Originally published November 1, 2013 | Updated October 7, 2022

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Disclosure – I received a 7ft. pre-lit Christmas tree and gift card to participate in the Michaels Dream Tree Challenge.

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