There is something about Coca-Cola that, to me, screams Americana and nostalgia. Yep, I love to drink it, but as a collector and Christmas fanatic, Coca-Cola has become synonymous with the holidays for me and my family.
Christmas Gals already shared with you the Coca-Cola Santa and a little bit about the Coca-Cola tree I started last year. Here is the ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at how the tree has been created, combining my love for Coca-Cola and Christmas.
This special tree was only started last year, but it has quickly become one of my favorites. Who are we kidding? Every tree is my fave!
I had already owned several Coca-Cola Santa figurines, but the idea of creating an entire tree dedicated to this theme was intriguing.
The tree itself was purchased at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in July of 2018. The 7.5 foot flocked tree came prelit, but I usually add lights to any of my trees, no matter if the tree is pre-lit or not.
The tree is located in my kitchen, tucked into a corner that is near a book shelf that displays many of my treasured Coca-Cola Santas. and visible from several rooms so the family can enjoy it all the time.
I like using 2 -3 different types of lights on a tree. So, for this particular tree, I added slightly larger clear bulb lights, also purchased at Bronner’s. There were not many on the strand, but the light is brighter and a few blink so it gives the tree a beautiful twinkle effect that is captivating.
Even though the tree was started last year, it was really my mission this year to find all the pieces to complete the tree this season. While out at antique malls and flea markets, I was keeping my eye open for an old fashioned Coca Cola cooler which I had envisioned for the base of the tree. I found a few but they were never the right size, or a bit too rusty for my preference. Eventually I sourced a plastic replica that was exactly what I was looking for!
Once I had scored this cooler, then I had to figure how to make the tree stand in it. I’ve done this type of thing before by gluing some Styrofoam in to a pot and then covering the area with foam insulation, but that makes it permanent, and I was hoping to come up with an option that was removable so I could use the cooler to decorate in the summer too.
After discussing it with my husband we decided to make a box out of MDF. I made it to fit inside the cooler, not all the way to the top, but about an inch down, so I could cover the top with snow or something decorative to not see the MDF once the tree was in.
The cooler was about 10 inches tall on the inside and my tree post was seven inches. We fashioned a board so that the tree will stay upright and not lean. We used a drill bit the size of the pipe to make a hole in the center for the top and second layer. I predrilled some holes and screwed it all together and it fit! Success!
I used a garland on the tree that my mom had bought, but couldn’t make work on her own trees. I thought it looked like tiny ice cubes which was perfect for this tree! It doesn’t show up great, but it adds a great layer.
Finding Coca-Cola ornaments has been quite easy! I wired into the tree several large Coca-Cola Santa figurines to fill larger spaces, but then include ooldes of ornaments that were inspired by Coca-Cola at a vareity of retailers, antique stores and online.
I have found the majority of the ornaments for this tree on EBay. The large red and white striped balls were found at Home Goods last year and the matte red balls are from Michaels.
We found these red and white block style ornaments at Tis the Season this year that just screams blocks of ice to me! And here are a few pics of some of my favorite eBay finds this year, Including Santa on a Coca Cola bottle plane!
Here are some links to source your own Coca-Cola products for your own tree!
