Home + Garden Garden Garden Ideas & Inspiration Spruce Up Your Mantel with Tiny Tannenbaums These mini DIY Christmas trees (no more than 12 inches tall!) elevate any tabletop or mantel. Use evergreen cuttings, floral foam, and colorful cups and bowls to create festive arrangements that last for weeks and make fun holiday gifts. By Diane Penningroth Diane Penningroth Diane Penningroth is the lead copy editor for Midwest Living and Dotdash Meredith Travel. She began her career journey with a B.A. in human resources management from the University of Northern Iowa, but made the professional switch from working with people to words in 2006. Her experience includes copy editing or editing books, magazines, marketing publications and various other print and web material. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 1, 2021 Photo: Marty Baldwin First, choose your vessel. Dig through your cupboards or go thrifting for tiny tree stands—petite flower pots, mugs, bowls or ramekins. (Another option: Order something inexpensive online, like a dozen wooden egg cups.) Next, cut a floral foam brick into a cone shape with a flattish top and a base that will nestle snugly in your tree stand. Soak the foam in water until saturated, then set in stand. Starting from the top, poke fresh plant clippings into the foam, creating a pine-tree shape. Water as needed for freshness. Snip sprigs from your backyard evergreens, ask for discarded clippings at a tree farm or greenhouse, or visit a florist for specialty varieties. Here are a few of our go-to varieties. 01 of 06 Russian Sage Illustration by Grace Nelson Silver-gray stems seem to shimmer in winter gardens and seasonal arrangements. 02 of 06 Juniper Illustration by Grace Nelson Breathe in (ahh) the pine scent of Grey Guardian and 'Sea Green' juniper. 03 of 06 Boxwood Illustration by Grace Nelson Even when cut, the glossy leaves hold their bright green color and shine. 04 of 06 Myrtle Illustration by Grace Nelson When rubbed, myrtle's leaves have an aroma similar to eucalyptus. 05 of 06 Spruce Illustration by Grace Nelson Save the lower branches from your live tree to make a forest of mini sibs. 06 of 06 Rosemary Illustration by Grace Nelson Enjoy the fragrance in December, then put the sprigs to use in the kitchen come January. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit