DIY Wood Shim Christmas Trees (Farmhouse Style)

I went to the home improvement store for wood shims to install a door and came home with a Christmas craft idea. That sounds about right for me. Give me an aisle full of wood, and suddenly everything looks like something I could decorate. 🙂

These DIY wood shim Christmas trees are a fun way to turn ordinary building supplies into farmhouse Christmas decor. I’ll show you how I assembled the tree, made a freestanding base, and added a textured white finish with a little gold. Because even a humble wood shim deserves to get dressed up for Christmas.

Updated October 2026: I’ve refreshed this wood shim Christmas tree tutorial with clearer instructions to help you make your own farmhouse holiday decor.

Thanks to Dixie Belle Paint Co for sponsoring this post. While I was compensated to write this post, all opinions are my own.

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Turning Wood Shims Into Christmas Decor

Wood shims aren’t just for leveling and installing doors. Their tapered shape makes them handy for crafting Christmas trees, too. After spotting some wood shim crafts on Pinterest, I grabbed an extra package to try my own.

For this project, I used 15-inch wood shims, but you can use a different length to make a smaller tree. Choose wooden shims rather than composite ones, especially if you want to leave the wood showing. If you’re painting yours as I did, an inexpensive package will do just fine.

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Supplies for DIY Wood Shim Christmas Trees

What you’ll need to make beautiful wood shim Christmas trees.

• Wood shims—I used 15-inch wooden shims
• Wood glue
• Small clamps
• Tape measure
• Saw suitable for cutting the wood shims for the base
• Sandpaper for smoothing rough edges
• White paint—I used Cotton Chalk Mineral Paint
• Paintbrush
• Sea Spray Texture Additive
• Craft stick for mixing and applying the texture
• Small disposable mixing container
• Gold gilding wax
• Protective covering for your work surface

Step 1: Arrange the Wood Shims Into a Tree Shape

Cover your work surface to protect it from glue, then lay out your wood shims before attaching anything. This dry fit lets you choose the best pieces and check the shape of your tree.

Arrange four shims on each side, with the thin ends pointing toward the treetop and the thicker ends toward the bottom. Use the assembly photo below as a guide for positioning them.

Check that you’re happy with both sides before reaching for the glue. If any edges are rough or splintered, give them a light sanding.

I prefer wood glue for this project because it creates a strong bond between the wooden pieces. Keep small clamps handy to hold the shims together while the glue dries.

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Step 2: Glue the Wood Shims Together

Working with one side of the tree at a time, apply a small amount of wood glue where the shims meet. Keep the pieces in the arrangement you planned during your dry fit.

Use small clamps to hold the shims together, checking that they haven’t shifted as you tighten them. Wipe away excess glue with a damp cloth before it dries.

Repeat for the other side of the tree. Follow the drying and clamping times on your wood glue label before handling the pieces or attaching the trunk and base. A little patience here will save you from a Christmas tree that comes apart before you can decorate it. 🙂

Step 3: Build the Tree Trunk and Base

To make the trunk, glue two wood shims together and clamp them until the glue dries.

Next, dry fit the base using the photo below as your guide. I used about three additional shims for this part, cutting two matching pieces to help support the tree. Measure and mark your cuts before cutting, then sand any rough edges.

Glue the base pieces together and allow them to dry before attaching the trunk. Check that the trunk stands upright and the base sits flat on your work surface, then glue them together.

Let the glue dry fully before adding the tree sides. The base needs to support the finished tree without rocking or tipping.

Step 5: Paint the Wood Shim Christmas Tree

Once the glue has dried, brush away any sanding dust and paint your tree in the color of your choice. I used Cotton Chalk Mineral Paint for a soft white finish that fits my farmhouse Christmas decor.

Use a small brush to reach the edges and tight spaces. Apply additional coats as needed, following the drying time on your paint label.

You can leave your tree with a simple painted finish, but I wanted a little snowy texture and a touch of gold. Texas doesn’t always deliver a white Christmas, so sometimes a girl has to make her own. 🙂

Step 6: Add a Snowy Textured Finish

For the textured finish, I mixed equal amounts of Cotton Chalk Mineral Paint and Sea Spray Texture Additive in a small disposable container. Stir well with a craft stick, and check your product label for its current mixing directions.

Using the craft stick, spread the mixture onto the tree, working from the top downward. Leave some raised areas and irregular edges—that’s what gives the finish its snowy texture.

Apply a little at a time until you like the look. A thicker application will take longer to dry, so give it plenty of time before adding the gold highlights. I left mine to dry overnight.

Step 7: Add Gold Highlights

Once the textured finish is completely dry, lightly apply gold gilding wax across the raised areas using a small brush or soft cloth. I used Gold Gilding Wax by Dixie Belle Paint Co.

Start with a small amount and build it up until you like the look. Leaving some white showing keeps the texture visible and gives the gold something to catch against.

Follow the application and drying directions on your product label before handling or displaying the tree. That little touch of gold dresses up the whole project!

More DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

Still looking at your wood scraps and seeing Christmas decorations? You’re in good company! Here are a few more projects to try.

• 8 DIY Wood Christmas Tree Ideas

• DIY Wooden Churches

• Rustic Wooden Christmas Trees