Even though you may be used to buying a Christmas tree from your local market, making a driftwood Christmas tree is super easy. In fact, this year, you could give it a try. It is a great craft activity that you can do with little kids or your loved ones. The best part is that it will only take 40 minutes!

Below you will find a wonderfully easy guide on how to make a driftwood Christmas tree. Are you ready for a surprise? Keep reading.

Things You Will Need

• Approximately 20 to 25 pieces of driftwood of different shapes and lengths.
• Any tree topper, such a starfish.
• 3 8/32 threaded rods that are 3 inches in length each.
• Three 8/32 nuts
• 3 8/32 washers
• Three 8/32 lock washers

Tools You Will Need

• A power drill
• 11/64 inches brad point drill that has a sharp beak. This is perfect for drilling deep holes in wood as the drill does not wander. Moreover, the 11/64 inches size will comfortably allow the threaded rod to fit.
• ½ inches Forstner bit so that a counterbore hole can be made in the base piece. This will ensure that the lock, washer, or the lock washer do not protrude at the bottom of the base.
• Pliers
• Hacksaw that will help cut the threaded rod.
• A file to tidy up the threaded road once it has been cut with the help of the hack saw.
• A scrap block that will hold driftwood pieces when you’re drilling them.
• A hot glue gun to stick the tree toppers to the top as decoration.

How to Create the Perfect Driftwood Christmas Tree

Step 1

To make a driftwood Christmas tree, pick up two of the biggest pieces of wood for the base. If possible, we would advise you to use a curved piece for the bottom.

If you do not have a curved base, you can always twist and turn a branch. You will now have three points to lay the tree on.

Step 2

Depending on how you want to position the pieces of the base, you need to hold them together. Carefully drill through both the pieces while holding them together.

It is essential to remember that the position used to put the pieces on the threaded rod will be their permanently aligned position.

Step 3

With the help of the Forstner bit, you have to enlarge the hold of the lower part of the base.

This must be sufficiently deep so that the screw does not stick out when you hammer it in. The base needs to sit flat against the surface.

Step 4

In order to hide the nut from the naked eye, all you need to do is counterbore the hole to the top of the base.

By this point, there should be a counterbored hole at the top, as well as at the bottom of the base pieces.

Step 5

First, put the nut on the threaded rod. Follow it up with the lock washer and the washer. You should put the washer up against the wood.

Next, put the lock washer in, and then the nut. The purpose of the lock washer is to ensure that the rod does not get loose with the passage of time.

Step 6

You need to put the threaded rod inside the top part of the base, as well as into the bottom part.

Step 7

Then, put on the washer, and then the lock washer. Follow this up with a nut. Remember, if the hardware does not go all the way through, it will stick out at the bottom. This will prevent your tree from standing. Hence, counterboring the hole is important.

Now, you have to tighten the nut so that the two pieces are stable. However, don’t overdo it as this could cause the wood to crack.

Step 8

Lay out the remaining pieces and sort them out according to their length. Put the smallest piece on top.

Step 9

Before you drill, hold each branch in place, steadily. Mark the hole and then drill to cut down the chances of error.

Step 10

When drilling the hole, each piece needs to be held against the block of scrap wood. A trick is to make a V-shaped groove in the block. This will make the drilling process easier.

Step 11

Once done, it is time to move the drilled branch on top of the threaded rod. However, do not secure the pieces as these will have to be moved when we cut the rod to its final size.

If it bothers you, you can adjust the pieces later and place them with a glue gun. However, this is completely your choice.

Step 12

Keep drilling and placing the pieces till you run out.

Step 13

Once you have secured all all the branches, use a sharpie to make the threaded rod. This is where you will cut the extra.

Remember to leave some space on top for your treetop decorations.

Step 14

Again, you have to get rid of all the branches. Put them on a surface depending on the order that you used to place them on the rod.

Step 15

With the help of a hacksaw, cut the threaded rod and then tidy up the sharp end of the threaded rod that was just cut. You can use a file to do this. This process will help you thread an 8-31 nut at the end.

Step 16

Now, it is time to assemble the tree again. Cut the threaded rod, put the branches on, and then follow this up with the washer, lock washer, and finally, the nut.

The nut needs to be tightened enough to hold the tree.

Step 17

Finally, take a tiny, straight piece for the top of the driftwood Christmas tree. Drill a hole in the middle so that it can be put over the rod.

When drilling, put the piece against a scrap block. This will keep your hand away from the spinning drill, ensuring your safety.

Step 18

Lastly, all you have to do is find the correct position for the treetop decoration piece. Glue it using a hot glue gun and apply some pressure on it so that it stays in place.

Put it on top of your finished driftwood Christmas tree and step back to look at your wonderful creation!