Who doesn’t love vintage toys? Especially at Christmas?
And, to celebrate all things vintage, these little gems have been taking their holiday places.
Gifts are wrapped in plaid fabric and tied with sparkling bows…
…. then nestled among the cherished old toys.
Everything has been really humming along.
Well, except for this little 19-inch wagon.
For some reason, it just didn’t seem to fit anywhere.
At my wits end, I lamented this woe to my sweet friend Laura, who, incidentally, is clear across the planet in New Zealand. It sounds crazy, I know. But, in what seemed like the twinkling of an eye, she calmly responded, “Whoa, girl, you should totally put a little Christmas tree in that wagon.”
And, just like that….. In less time than it takes for a message to fly across the world-wide-web, the brilliant Laura had struck decorating gold.
So, on the next day, the design and build got rolling.
And, by nightfall, the little vintage wagon had finally found its fit.
Here’s how it happened.
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Custom-Sized Christmas Tree
STEP-BY-STEP:
(1) Determine the height and diameter for your tree. This tree is approximately 27-inches from the bottom of the stand to the top of the greenery and about 15-inches in diameter.
(2) Gather scrap wood, if you have it, or purchase 3 kinds of inexpensive wood.
*One furring strip, which comes in an 8-foot length and costs about $1.00.
*Wood for four “wings.” I used leftover 1/4 inch plywood, but thin pine would also work.
*Quarter round molding
*Wood glue
*One wood screw
(3) Have the wood pieces cut to size and assemble.
(4) Have quarter round molding cut to size. Four same-size pieces are needed. One piece is glued to each side of the furring strip.
(5) Have the tree’s “wings” cut to size and glue each wing to the furring strip and quarter round molding. The frame will look rather crude, but will be covered with greenery, so not to worry.
Another view. I know! It looks like it was made at NASA, but just bear with me.
A closer look at how the quarter round and wings fit together.
(6) Spray paint the entire frame. I used black with a brown topcoat.
(7) Then, starting from the bottom of the frame, wind a strand of plain garland to the top of the frame. I didn’t use any adhesive, but I did twist some of the greenery pieces together so they would hang on to the frame.
A view of the stand and wrapped garland from the bottom.
(8) Tie the tree to the wagon with twine and spritz it with spray-on snow.
Then place your beautiful creation in a favorite spot…..
…..to share with loved-ones during the holiday season.
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Thank you, Laura, for this terrific idea.
And, although we are physically many miles apart,
you’re an internet bestie that is close to my heart.
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And, as always, many thanks to all of you for stopping by. It is such a joy to share projects and ideas.
#RadioFlyer #Wagon #Centerpiece #Christmas #christmastree
29 Comments
That is so cute!!!
Love sharing crafty ideas with you dear friend… Your cutie pie tree is PERFECT! You are such a clever thing, with such a great design eye. (Now to get you some wooden skis, lol! :))
Such a cute idea. Thank you!
Thanks, Kristi. My pleasure.
Just adorable. Has anyone ever told you what an incredible storyteller you are? We used to have a wagon like that many years ago but we had to sell it when we moved across the pond… I remember it fondly, althought mine didn’t have a christmas tree in it.
Thank you, Mary. Your kind and encouraging words give me confidence. And, no….nobody ever said I wan a storyteller. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
I love this – it totally brings thoughts of yesteryear and kids would go to the local tree lot and drag a tree home on their wagon 🙂
Pondering how you did this with wrapping garland just solved a dilemma I have in a Christmas decoration I am making. I have been stalking our Cdn Prairies version of CL for old un-lit xmas trees to reuse the branches in the various lengths to wrap, wire and make fit and duh I have a big box of pine garland I think will work to wrap and repurpose like you did! Need to take off a few cones and twigs but it should do the job! Maybe it is karma all the trees have been sold before I get there – I just had to wait for a post of inspiration from you and the light to come on! Today it is like one of those new fangled spiral mercury light bulb ones that take a minute or two to warm up before fully lit – ugh! Thanks for reducing my project cost and more so — the bulk of no longer loved decorations I accumulate and still hoard unused for years!!
Great idea Susie! I have to go digging for the garland I found last year for a few bucks at the thrift store. Thanks for the idea! ;o)
Wow Susie! You are definitely resourceful like nobody’s business! My father was a mechanical engineer but I shy away from projects like this. You make it sound so easy! It really is perfect! I have my son’s old wagon that I’ve never used for Christmas decorating. Might just be time to pull that thing out! Thanks for linking up over at our Vintage Charm Party! xoKathleen
Thanks, Kathleen. So happy to hear you have a wagon you can whip out for the season. I just put out a few pieces of my husband’s electric train when he was a little boy. Remember Lionel trains in the late 1950s-1960s? It’s so totally awesome and vintage. Love these old toys!
Susie what a great project. Love the wagon. We have an old sled that has never been used. You’ve inspired me. Thanks for sharing on Your Inspired Design Link Party.
Thanks, Carol. My pleasure.
What a great idea!!! I love how it it fits in the little wagon perfectly!
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Such a adorable project! Love this post!
Thanks Janine.
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This is so adorable. I need to look for a little wagon in my travels or make one so I can do this idea.
Thanks Debra. Watch garage sales and Goodwill. I can’t believe people want to get rid of them, but they do.
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I just love how this is made and it looks wonderful in that wagon!!! Pinning and sharing my friend!!
Thanks so much!! Hope you can make one for yourself… Remember to send photos.. XOXO
Seriously girl, that is such a great idea for the perfect custom size! Thanks for linking up your adorable Christmas Tree to our Power Tool Reader Challenge.
LOL….thanks Marie!