![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done1_.690.jpg)
Make a show-stopping dessert table this holiday season with this DIY donut Christmas tree!! We were inspired by a vintage 1960s craft book from Better Homes and Gardens – they showed how to make a giant donut tree to hold close to 100 donuts, so we made a mini version that holds closer to 30. Make your own homemade donuts, or just decorate some store-bought ones like we did to look fun and festive.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done5_.690.jpg)
The great thing about this donut tree is that you can disassemble it and use it again next year! Keep reading to see the full instructions.
what you need:
- 1″ wooden dowel
- 1/4″ wooden dowels
- Square wood scrap for base
- Pencil
- Drill (with 1″ and 1/4″ drill bits)
- Wood glue
- Ruler / tape measure
- Chop saw or hand saw
how-to:
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step1_.690.jpg)
Step 1
Measure out your distances on the 1″ dowel. This can be adapted to fit however many donuts you like but this is what we did for this one: mark the 1″ dowel to be 19 1/2″ tall (1/2″ will be sitting in the base). From the top, mark an X at 3″ down, and from there mark 3 more X’s 4″ down from each other. This will give you a tree with 4 levels. It also helps to know what size/shape of donuts you’ll be using – these measurements should work fine for all standard donuts, but larger handmade ones might be a touch big in this case.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step2_.690.jpg)
Step 2
If you have a scrap of wood leftover from another project, that’s perfect. We used this piece that was a 6″ square. Use a pencil to draw an X from corner to corner to find the center. Use a 1″ drill bit to make a hole in the center for the dowel to sit in later.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step3_.690.jpg)
Step 3
Since you have the pencil markings already on one side of the 1″ wooden dowel, slide the base down the dowel and sit it at each marking. Use the pencilled X on the base to mark evenly spaced ticks on the dowel – this is the best way to make sure the rungs on the tree are as even as possible.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step4_.690.jpg)
Step 4
Drill those holes with a 1/4″ drill bit. Make sure to use a clamp to keep the dowel secure and drill over a scrap of wood so that you don’t damage your work surface.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step5_.690.jpg)
Step 5
Cut the 1/4″ dowel into rungs – cut four pieces for each of these lengths: 2″, 3 1/2″, 5″, and 6 1/4″.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step6_.690.jpg)
Step 6
Insert the small wooden dowels into the drilled holes – they should fit in tightly and not need glue. This allows you to take these out for easy storing, but if your dowels are a bit wiggly feel free to glue them in to secure.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step7_.690.jpg)
Step 7
Use glue to secure the 1″ dowel into the base. Let dry.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.step8_.690.jpg)
Step 8
Decorate your donuts with green icing and sprinkles! Let the icing harden up a little bit before arranging on the tree.
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done6_.690.jpg)
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done2_.690.jpg)
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done4_.690.jpg)
![](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/donuttree.done3_.690.jpg)