EASY DIY FESTIVE CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIN FOR UNDER $30

This year I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate into our Christmas decorations more nostalgia and meaningful things that I know will create long-lasting memories. I’ve found that my decor preferences change a little bit year-to-year, so finding things that are more of an activity can help attach meaning and make it something I want to keep around longer! We had a train around our Christmas tree when I was little, and I have fond memories of playing with my Grandpa’s train set too! I thought this would be such a fun touch, and when I saw A Beautiful Mess’s pink, red and gold train, I knew I had to do the same! I took all my color inspiration from them, but wanted a smaller, slightly cheaper version and added my own little twist with the wreath and ornaments.

This is the train I purchased ($15). I love it for my purposes but it is a bit too small if you want it to run well around a larger tree skirt/collar… this one and this one are other good (bigger) options for under $25! I used ArtDeco acrylic paint from Michaels (but probably any craft paint will do!).

To make the ornaments in the coal car, I hot glued tiny little silver beads on top of colored pearly round beads and hot glued those into the coal cart. I used a tooth pick to pick up the beads and place them on the dab of hot glue so that I didn’t have to touch it while hot!

I couldn’t find a wreath that was small enough for this so I cut up two tiny brush bottle trees and hot glued them together along with a tiny ribbon bow! So cute!!