DIY Vintage Doorknob Christmas Trees: An Easy Repurposed Holiday Project

Some people see an old doorknob. I see a tiny Christmas tree waiting to happen. Which probably explains why I have boxes of things that normal people would have thrown away years ago.

WELCOME TO JUNK IS MY LIFE.

One of my favorite things about collecting vintage treasures is finding new uses for pieces that have outlived their original purpose. And these little Christmas trees made from old doorknobs and bottle brush trees are a perfect example.

They're charming, ridiculously easy to make, and a wonderful way to add a little vintage character to your Christmas decorating. Best of all? They take just minutes to put together. No elaborate crafting skills required. Just a few supplies and the willingness to look at an old doorknob and think, You know what you need? A Christmas tree.

First, Let's Talk About the Doorknobs

I collect old doorknobs throughout the year at garage sales, estate sales, auctions, and anywhere else vintage hardware happens to be lurking. For this project, I generally use knobs that aren't particularly valuable on their own. I usually save the antique glass doorknobs for resale because they're often worth more individually than they would be as part of a finished Christmas decoration. We are repurposing, not destroying the retirement fund. Old metal, brass, and painted doorknobs work beautifully for this project. I especially love knobs with a little age and patina. The contrast between the old hardware and the miniature Christmas tree is what makes these so charming. And don't worry if your knobs don't match.

In fact, I think a collection of different styles looks even better.

Supplies You'll Need

• Vintage or salvaged doorknobs

• Miniature bottle brush Christmas trees in assorted sizes

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• Cleaning supplies appropriate for your doorknobs

• Optional: felt pads or small supports for uneven doorknobs

That's it. You can usually find bottle brush trees at craft stores, big-box stores, and online during the Christmas season. I like to buy mine early, usually in October, while the selection is still good. By December, the little trees I want always seem to have disappeared. Apparently other people are building miniature forests, too.

Step 1: Clean Your Vintage Doorknobs

Before assembling your trees, give the doorknobs a good cleaning. And trust me, old hardware can be surprisingly dirty. Years of use, dust, and storage tend to leave behind some interesting grime. Use a cleaning method appropriate for the material and finish. For antique knobs, I prefer to preserve the original patina rather than polish away every sign of age. After all, that character is why we bought them in the first place. Make sure the knobs are completely dry before moving on.

Step 2: Remove the Bases from Your Bottle Brush Trees

Most miniature bottle brush trees come attached to small wooden or plastic bases. For this project, you won't need those bases. Simply hold the tree carefully and twist the base off. Try not to crush the tree while doing this. If you do? Don't panic. Bottle brush trees are fairly forgiving and can usually be fluffed back into shape. You should now have a miniature tree with its wire stem exposed at the bottom.

Step 3: Add Hot Glue to the Doorknob

Now for the complicated part. Just kidding. There isn't one. Using your hot glue gun, add glue into the opening of the doorknob where the spindle would normally fit. Some knobs are hollow and will require a little more glue than others. You want enough adhesive to secure the tree's wire stem firmly in place. Be careful handling the hot glue and metal hardware, since both can become quite hot.

Step 4: Insert Your Christmas Tree

Place the exposed stem of your bottle brush tree into the glue-filled opening. Hold the tree upright until the glue has set enough to keep it securely in position. That's it. YOU HAVE MADE A CHRISTMAS TREE. From a doorknob. Congratulations on your highly specialized vintage-related nonsense. Repeat the process with your remaining knobs and trees. I like using different tree heights and doorknob styles to create a little collection.

What If Your Doorknob Christmas Tree Wobbles?

Not all antique doorknobs have perfectly flat bottoms. Some are rounded, which means your finished tree may wobble when displayed. If this happens, there are a few things you can try. For a slight wobble, a small adhesive felt pad may help stabilize the base. You could also try attaching a flat button, wooden disk, or other small support underneath the knob to create a more level surface. Choose something that can be attached securely without damaging valuable antique hardware. I have also added four dots of hot glue to the bottome to help create a stable base. And before permanently attaching anything, test the tree on a flat surface to make sure the finished piece is stable. A tiny Christmas tree is charming. A tiny Christmas tree that repeatedly falls over? Less charming.

How to Display Your Vintage Doorknob Christmas Trees

This is where the fun really begins. These little trees look wonderful grouped together on a mantel, tucked into a vintage cupboard, arranged on a shelf, or added to a Christmas vignette. I particularly love displaying them alongside old Christmas decorations. Vintage deer, little houses, old ornaments, and other collected treasures all work beautifully. You can create an entire miniature forest using different heights and colors of bottle brush trees.

And because the doorknobs are all a little different, each finished tree has its own personality. Some are tall and elegant. Some are short and squatty. Some look like they've been through a few Christmases already. SAME, LITTLE TREE. SAME.

Why I Love Repurposing Old Things

One of the things I've always loved about vintage hunting is discovering potential in objects other people might overlook. An old doorknob may no longer have a door. But that doesn't mean its story has to end. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination and a miniature Christmas tree. And perhaps an unreasonable collection of old hardware.

These repurposed doorknob Christmas trees are inexpensive, easy to make, and full of character. They're also a great reminder that you don't have to spend a fortune to create Christmas decorations with personality. Sometimes the best decorations start with something rescued from a box of forgotten junk. So the next time you're wandering through an estate sale, flea market, or garage sale, keep an eye out for old doorknobs. You never know. You might be looking at an entire Christmas forest.

Take the back road. Find the good junk.

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