This DIY Galaxy Tree is so unique, it’s out of this world! Check out our guide to supplies + directions to dress your own!
This isn’t the first time I’ve made a Galaxy tree. And it isn’t even the second. It’s the third. Three times I’ve made a Space-themed Christmas tree and this is the FIRST time I’ve shared it onto the blog? Isn’t that crazy?
It is, and for a few reasons… first of all I can’t even begin to express how much I LOVE THIS Galaxy Tree. The colors are amazing and when the tree sits in a rotating base, it twirls and sparkles and glows. And I think it’s absolutely it’s stunning. Secondly, I can hardly do anything these days without blogging about it :) And last but not least, it’s so unique and that makes it exciting!
The first ever Murray Family Galaxy Tree. You might be wondering why this year’s galaxy tree is more blue and last year’s (at my parents’ house) is more pink. I think that has to do with the wall color… My parents walls are a very warm pinky-peachy-tan color and mine are a cool mid-range gray.
One year the plan had been to have Christmas at my parents’ house and so I put a space tree up in their dining room. My nephews sleep on the sofas in the formal living room and so it would be a neat tree that would light up the room just enough that they could see to make their way to the kitchen or whatever in the dark. But it was tucked behind a wall in the corner so it wasn’t glaringly bright while they slept. It was part Christmas tree part nightlight :) But then we had Christmas at my sister’s house and only my parents got to see my DIY Christmas tree.
And now I’ve put a galaxy Christmas tree up in my own house twice. All together that’s THREE times…
Want this cool starburst pattern on your Christmas tree photos? I purchased a set of 3 starburst filters with 4, 6, or 8 point stars for less than $20 on Amazon and it’s pretty cool.
which has awesomely made 3 completely different looking Galaxy trees.
And I think it’s pretty neat that every time each tree has been similar because I’ve used the same materials, but also different. Having reused Christmas ornaments year after year, I’d get tired and move on to new ornaments because the tree inevitably looked the same year after year. But that’s not the case with this DIY space tree. Each time it’s a unique little piece of crazy Christmas décor in spite of using the same materials.
If anybody in your household loves pink, purple, and blue or space stuff or things that are just kind of uniquely cool, you’re going to want to put up a Galaxy tree of your own! So let’s see how to put one together!
Everything You Need for a DIY Space Tree:
Just because I think it’s better to have too much information rather than not enough, I’ll cover all of the materials, supplies, and Christmas specific items used to make decorate this tree. I’ll also include where I got my supplies and any tips, if possible… If you have any questions about anything, hit me up in the comments and I’ll respond here and email you directly!
Craft Supplies
- Blue or Teal Deco Mesh (Amazon ⋆ Michael’s)
- Purple Deco Mesh (Amazon ⋆ Michael’s)
- Hot Pink Deco Mesh (Amazon ⋆ Michael’s)
- Aluminum Wire (very bendy)
- Alligator Clips
My most recent tree (the one in these tutorial photos) was put together using teal deco mesh instead of blue. I basically lost all of my mesh in a move and so I had to buy new and couldn’t find blue. If you have the option, blue is better than teal. But teal is better than nothing :)
For the pink you want a hot pink rather than baby pink. I’ve tried both and the baby pink just doesn’t work.
Christmas Supplies Needed:
- Black Christmas Tree
- Blue LED Christmas Lights
- Purple LED Christmas Lights
- Pink LED Christmas Lights
- Glittered White Christmas Ornament Balls
- Black Ball Ornaments
- Mirrored Disco Ornaments (optional)
- Star Shaped Tree Topper
- Twinkly Black Tree Skirt
- Multi-Outlet Dark Color Extension Cord
- Rotating Christmas Tree Stand
My black Christmas tree is the 6.5′ Holiday Time Pre-Lit Madison Pine Black Tree sold currently for $39. It’s a great deal for the price.
Both my black and white ball ornaments came from At Home. You’ll need both very small and quite large white ornaments to act as the stars. These are slightly larger than the small ornaments I used and these are the exact same larger ones.
I have disco ball ornaments in blue, teal, purple, silver, and gold and I’ve used all but the gold. But all colors look awesome and help throw some interesting shapes as the tree rotates. They are not, however, strictly necessary. My disco ball ornaments of all colors came from Hobby Lobby.
My tree topper came from Target but is currently out of stock… If looking in store it is the “Starburst” tree topper by Wonder Shop. I’ve linked above to another star tree topper that I had also considered. The tree topper I used was flat but I moved the arms of the star around to make it a 3d round shape.
My twinkly black tree skirt is actually just a tablecloth from Amazon I cut a slit so it could fit around the tree.
The extension cord I use is similar to the one linked . We need to plug in three sets of lights plus a lighted tree topper (if using) so make sure the cord you purchase has enough plugs.
Tools Needed:
- Scissors
- Needle-Nose Pliers
How to Make Bouncy Star Ornaments from White Glitter Globes:
Cut an 8-10″ length of very bendy aluminum or fence wire.
Hold about an inch of wire along a wood dowel.
Begin wrapping the wire tightly and neatly along the dowel to create a coil. Leave approximately 3/4″ of wire at the end.
Remove the coil from the dowel and stretch out slightly.
Remove the cap from one white glitter globe ornament. Run the shorter straight end of the coil through the cap. Run the shorter straight end of the coil around or through the ornament’s cap.
Using needle-nose pliers, twist the end around and through to tightly attach it to the cap. Do not overtighten as that might break caps, especially plastic ones.
Trim any excess wire and tuck away to prevent scratches.
Slide the other end of the coil into an alligator clip. Use your pliers to clamp the holder over the wire and secure in place.
Place the cap back onto the ornament and stretch the coil out just enough that when holding the clip the ornament jiggles with a little movement.
Set up your pre-lit Black tree in a rotating base and fluff as needed.
Hook or clip your extension cord into the tree along the pole in the center. Finagle branches so that the cord is hidden from sight.
Oh, and go ahead and add and plug in a lighted tree topper now, if using. I remember when I was a kid it was a big deal to put it on last as a sign that the tree was officially done. Or maybe that’s something I saw in a movie and stuck with me. Either way I always, always forget to add the tree topper until the end, and if you’re wiring in lighting, well, that’s just a big old mess.
Adding Lights and Deco Mesh to your Space Tree:
The LED lights I have used and linked to in this post are wire strung LEDs that come on a spool. If you think traditional lights are hard to untangle these guys are a BEAST. Be sure as you work with them to not pass over or double up on lights because they’ll lightly become tangled up. It’s not super hard, I’ve used these exactly lights three times, now, just keep in mind that if they do become tangled it will be a bit of a struggle to undo the damage.
Plug in and run the hot pink LED lights through the tree and around. There is nothing perfect about the shape, you just need something that coils around the tree once or twice. Go over top of the lights with the hot pink deco mesh. Push it into the tree and bubble it out in other areas for an attractive look.
Next add the purple lights and then deco mesh, fitting it around the hot pink shape.
Lastly, follow around the shape with your blue lights and mesh.
Finagle the branches, mesh and lights as needed for a nice look. (It’s far easier to do now than later!)
If adding disco ball ornaments place like colors with like or silver or gold ornaments around the black branches.
Place black ornaments around the black Christmas tree branches. These will sometimes block lights and help the tree twinkle as it turns.
Next add your spring-y white globe ornaments. Use the clip to tuck the coil into the branches and stretch so that the ornament wiggles as the tree turns.
Lastly remove the ornament cap from the small balls. Use your needle-nose pliers to break away the lip that the cap holds on to (wear eye protection to be safe).
Place the ornament over a light from the tree. (See how it glows?!?)
The ornament should be a snug fit, but if it is not, a hot glue lip around the opening will tighten the fit. Do not, hot glue the ornaments to the lights/tree unless you’re only ever going to use it for a galaxy tree.
Even in full light I think that my Galaxy Tree is really cool looking.
Bright lights on, you can still see the pretty color LED lights inside of the tree. And the white ornaments “stars” really pop. I love how you can catch a slight colorful glow on the wall behind the tree…
But this Space Tree at Night and in Full Dark, THAT’S Where it’s At!
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