I just couldn’t stop at the gray concrete trees or even the white cement ones with wire accents. This project had me hooked, so I decided to take it a step further. These mini trees made from white cement with gorgeous gold accents are my latest creation, and I’m completely in love with how they turned out. They’re modern, chic, and surprisingly easy to make—no fancy tools or special skills needed! Plus, they’re perfect even for traditional festive arrangements. Bonus: they’re so much fun to create, even if you’ve never worked with concrete before!
What You’ll Need
Let’s start with the basics. Here’s everything I used to make these trees:
- White cement or premixed concrete (the white gives it a clean, modern vibe).
- Golden pot leaf (a.k.a., thin metallic foil) for those luxe accents.
- PVA glue (yep, the same stuff your kids might use for crafts).
- A sturdy sheet of cardboard (for the mold).
- Water and a mixing bucket (nothing fancy, just an old plastic container works).
- A spatula or scraper for mixing and spreading.
- A sponge for applying the glue and foil.
- Optional: vegetable oil to make removing the mold easier.
It’s DIY magic on a budget!
How To Make These Tabeltop Cement Christmas Trees
Grab that sturdy piece of cardboard, and let’s roll. Literally. Roll it into a cone shape and tape it in place with packing tape. Make sure the tip of your cone is nice and pointy (that’s the top of your tree!) and seal the bottom edge with more tape so the concrete doesn’t spill out.
This part is so satisfying, trust me. Mix your white cement (or premade concrete) with sand if needed—about a 1:1 ratio works best. Slowly add water until the mixture is as thick as Greek yogurt. Not runny, but not so stiff that you can’t pour it.
Now’s where the magic happens. Pour your concrete mixture into the cone mold. Don’t rush—it’s thicker than it looks. Once it’s filled, give the mold a gentle tap all around to release any air bubbles. This helps avoid those weird little holes in your finished tree. (Not that they’re bad; I actually like the texture they add.) Quick Tip: If your mix ends up too watery, toss in a bit more cement. Too dry? Add water a tablespoon at a time. Concrete is forgiving—thank goodness!.
Pro tip: A little oil on the inside of the cone makes unmolding later way easier. I learned that the hard way when my first attempt refused to budge, and I had to peel it off bit by bit. Not fun.
Leave the mold in a safe spot where it won’t be disturbed, and let it set for 48 to 72 hours. Trust me, don’t rush this. I’ve made that mistake before, and let’s just say crumbling concrete is not the vibe. Once it’s dry, gently peel off the cardboard mold. If you oiled it earlier, this should be a breeze!.
Here’s where the trees really shine—literally! Take your PVA glue and a sponge, and dab it randomly on the concrete tree.
Then, gently press on pieces of gold foil.
Mistake Alert: Don’t overthink the placement of the gold. When I first tried, I was too precise, and it ended up looking too perfect. The random, uneven look works so much better.
Let the glue dry completely (about 20-30 minutes), and use a soft brush to dust off any loose bits of foil. The result? Subtle, glamorous highlights that catch the light beautifully.
Group two or three trees of varying sizes for a cozy, minimalist look. Although they looks great in a traditional arrangement too.
It’s creative, affordable, and gives you something truly unique for your home. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about making decor with your own hands. These trees are modern, elegant, and super customizable—and let’s be real, they’re way more interesting than store-bought decorations. Give it a shot! I promise, you’ll feel like a crafting superstar when you see the final result.