10 Small Christmas Tree for RV Ideas (Yes, You Can Have a Christmas Tree in an RV!)
This post may contain affiliate links.
Sometimes people think living in an RV (whether full-time or short-term) means they won’t be able to enjoy their favorite holiday traditions—like putting up a Christmas tree! But that doesn’t have to be true. Finding the perfect Christmas tree for RV living is easier than you might think. These RV owners found a way to have a tree in their campers and motorhomes, and so can you! Take a look at these RV Christmas Tree ideas:
1. Tabletop Mini Trees (Best Christmas tree for RV without much space!)
Looking for a small Christmas tree for your RV? A miniature tree is the perfect solution. This one is actually ours that we decorated in our own RV. We got the tree at Walmart and the decorations at Dollar Tree.
Another year we decided to go with a live mini tree that we found at the grocery store. This one is potted and can be planted outside after winter. Since I didn’t have a yard, I just gave it away after Christmas.
Read Next: For extra holiday spirit, make your own removable lampshade covers!
You can get even smaller “trees” by using the trimmings from live Christmas trees. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot may even let you collect them for free. Added to a small jar or bucket like below, they will fit perfectly on a small shelf or side table.
If you’re in a motorhome, the dashboard makes a great place to set a tiny Christmas tree!
This small pre-lit tree from Walmart is popular with RVers. It’s the same tree as above and the same as the one in my own RV! I bought mine for around $15 and it has lasted for years.
2. Garland Christmas Trees
No floor space for a tree? Hang your RV Christmas tree on a wall instead!
This “tree” was made by hanging faux evergreen branches on the wall with Command hooks:
Honestly if it weren’t for the gap between the “tree” and the presents, I wouldn’t have noticed it wasn’t a real tree!
3. Birch Log Ladder Tree
This minimalist tree was made of birch rods connected with rope and wrapped with lights and makes a lovely place for this RV owner to display trinkets and ornaments.
View this post on Instagram
You can make your own, or buy a tree like this on Amazon.
- Wall Hanging Christmas Tree Decoration
4. Tomato Cage Tree
Here’s a creative, lightweight, and inexpensive idea: an upside-down tomato cage decorated with big, floppy bows and a whimsical hat!
5. Short RV Christmas Trees
Add Christmas spirit without making your living area feel crowded by opting for a small tree.
By setting a shorter tree on top of a side table, ottoman, or even the “doghouse” of a motorhome, you can achieve the look of a taller tree without having to sacrifice additional floor space.
I love the giant ornaments on this tree:
This little tree blends in nicely with the rest of the camper’s decor:
I love how this RV owner used a storage ottoman with a tray lid as the base for her Christmas tree:
6. Themed Christmas Trees
One of the most fun things about having a Christmas tree in a camper is the opportunity to decorate it with a theme.
Like this tree adorned with miniature camper ornaments (which you can find on Amazon).
Many RVers spend winter near the beach, which makes a beach-themed Christmas tree like this one perfect for the season.
7. Cactus Christmas Tree
How cool is this cactus Christmas tree? Perfect if you’re spending winter in the desert (or wish you were)!
If you want a cactus Christmas tree of your own, here’s one on Amazon!
- Unique Cactus Style - This christmas tree features unique cactus style design, which is different from traditional christmas tree. Very eye-catching, perfect for parties or as a special decoration indoors.
8. Real Christmas Trees
One way to have a larger Christmas tree for RV decor without having to find a place to store it is to simply get a real tree!
The one shown below is in a motorhome owned by Katie and Eric of the blog MountainModernLife.com. If you don’t have space inside your RV, you could even set up a real tree with lights outside your RV!
View this post on Instagram
9. Pencil Trees
Tall, skinny Christmas trees, sometimes called “pencil trees”, seem to be the most popular choice by far among most RV owners. Here’s a round-up of several of them:
10. Full Sized Christmas Trees
Some RV owners have even managed to fit a full-sized Christmas tree into their RV! Of course this might work better in some campers than others!
I love the little Christmas village around the base of this one:
Nothing pairs better with a Christmas tree than a cozy fireplace. And look at those tiny stockings!
But where do they store all their holiday decor?
Wondering what these RV owners do with their holiday decor when they’re not using it?
Here are their most common answers:
- Some of them own a house and only use their RV for camping, so they store their camper Christmas decor in their house along with the rest of their holiday decor.
- Some who live in their RV full-time have a storage shed or other location where they store some of their belongings, including their Christmas decor.
- Some full-time RVers (myself included) keep their holiday decor in boxes or totes in the storage area under their RV, or in a cabinet, closet, or under the bed.
- Some full-time RVers I know buy cheap holiday decor each year from the dollar store, donate it after Christmas, and replace it the next year.
- Some RVers only decorate with natural decor such as real evergreen branches, cranberry garlands, paper chains, dried fruit, etc. This way everything can be thrown away after the holiday but won’t end up in a landfill.
- Some use a combination of the ideas listed above—for example, they may own a few sentimental ornaments and buy some strings of lights to decorate along with freshly cut greenery.
Read next: 12 Space-Saving RV Christmas Decor Ideas
Do you have a photo of a Christmas tree in your own RV? Share it in the comment section below this post! 🙂
For more RV Christmas decorating ideas, check out my other blog posts:
- 18 Campers & Motorhomes All Decorated for Christmas
- Decorating Your RV for Christmas with Nature-Themed Decor
- 12 Space-Saving Christmas RV Decor Ideas
Ashley Mann founded RVinspiration.com in 2017. She handed off the website to new owners in 2022 to launch a new business as an online entrepreneur coach, but she still helps out as the blog editor. Ashley spent three years living full time in a 38-foot, 5th-wheel RV with her husband Josiah and their cat, Kitty. Her favorite thing about RV life is the challenge of finding the perfect way to organize a space, and she loves seeing all the creative and clever ways people come up with to customize their RVs.
So many ideas in one place! I LOVE them all! I think the table top tree would be best for my little camper! Thanks for all your hard work gathering all of these ideas!!!
Full time RV living – our trees
What a great collection of different tree ideas. Thank you!
Yes! We are full time RVers with a 2 year old and I make sure to have a tree and decorate because of her! Check out my blog and IG! Adventuringwitharabella.com