DIY Ghost Christmas Tree | How To Turn An Artificial Tree Into A Halloween Ghost

When I was challenged to come up with a way to use an artificial Christmas tree for Halloween, I headed up to my attic and dusted off the small prelit trees I usually place by my fireplace each year.

Instead of keeping them for Christmas only, I gave one a spooky twist and turned it into a DIY Ghost Christmas Tree 👻 — a simple, budget-friendly project that’s perfect for Halloween yard decor or a fun ghostly touch inside the house.

Living in an 1886 Victorian home (that some might argue could be haunted on any given day), I like to imagine that if there’s a ghost hanging around, it’s none other than the cute and sweet Casper 👻.

Back in 1995, when Casper hit theaters, I was a boy-crazy 12-year-old girl who thought Devon Sawa was the ultimate teen heartthrob. Honestly, I always tell my kids that IF our house is haunted, not to worry because it’s just cute Casper!

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That’s about as spooky as I get — no gory Halloween here! I love more of the “cute creepy,” kindergarten-rated Halloween vibes. (If you’ve seen my spooky mantle decor, you know exactly what I mean!) So, with a little imagination, this simple tree became the perfect DIY Ghost Christmas Tree.

Let me show you how I turned it into a fun and festive ghost that adds just the right touch of Halloween charm.

Supplies for a DIY Ghost Christmas Tree

What You’ll Need

• 1 small artificial or prelit Christmas tree
• White sheet, curtain, or white fabric (I used a thrifted ruffled curtain)
• Black felt (or construction paper) for the eyes
• Scissors
• Packing tape or hot glue (to attach the eyes)
• Optional: pumpkins, hay bales, or other fall decor to style around your ghost

DIY Ghost Christmas Tree Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Tree

Before your ghost takes form, start by giving your artificial tree a little personality. I bent the top over just slightly so it didn’t look so pointy — kind of like giving it a quirky little head shape.

Step 2: Drape the Ghost Sheet

Every ghost needs a sheet! 👻 I used a ruffled curtain I’d picked up at a thrift store for just a few dollars. The ruffles give it that “cute creepy” vibe I love. Simply drape the fabric over the tree and tuck the edges around the base.

Step 3: Create the Ghost Face

For the finishing touch, I cut out two simple black felt circles for eyes. You could hot glue them, but I just used tape so it wasn’t permanent. The face is what really brings the ghost to life (in the friendliest way possible!).

Step 4: Plug In the Lights and Add Your Ghost to Your Decor

With the eyes in place, it was time for the best part — plugging in the lights! The little tree instantly glowed under the curtain and really brought the ghost to life. I set mine by the fireplace where I usually keep my prelit trees at Christmas, but this ghost would look just as fun out on a front porch. It’s such an easy way to add a little Halloween charm to your everyday decor.

And that’s it — my little DIY Ghost Christmas Tree is complete! I love how it turned out, especially since it’s such a budget-friendly way to reuse something I already had. It gives me just the right amount of Halloween charm without being scary.

Sweet, fluffy, Dublin Boone just had to squeeze in for the final photos! Goofball!

If you give this project a try, I’d love to see it! Tag me on social @gatheredinthekitchen or share a photo in the comments. And if you’re looking for more fun (and not-so-spooky) ideas, be sure to check out my Halloween Front Porch Decor for another easy Halloween project!

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