Decorating for the holidays doesn't always have to mean a towering evergreen, baubles in every colour and tinsel from floor to ceiling. Sometimes, the simplest ideas make the biggest impact, and Michelle Obama's understated twig tree look is well and truly proof of this!

There is something magical about using natural shapes and soft lighting to create an elegant display, isn't there? And, while a Christmas tree is very much an 'only for December' kind of vibe, the Obamas' approach of using illuminated branches offers a more pared-back alternative, with a gentle glow that can work well beyond the festive season.

It's a look that feels particularly suited to anyone who prefers a more minimalist Christmas, or who wants to introduce a little seasonal magic without buying another large decoration that will spend most of the year in storage. Check it out if you don't believe me:

Love it? The good news is that you don't necessarily need to buy a ready-made twig tree to achieve a similar effect. In fact, with a few suitable branches from your garden, a sturdy vase and a string of delicate LED fairy lights, you can create your own version of Michelle Obama's holiday display for a fraction of the cost.

It's a lovely way to make use of branches left over from routine pruning, giving them a second life as part of your Christmas decorating. And, brilliantly, it's one of the simplest DIY projects going! All you have to do is choose branches with interesting shapes, arrange them so they form a loose, tree-like silhouette, and add lights sparingly enough that the natural structure remains the star of the show.

How To Make Michelle Obama's Twig Tree

You don't need specialist crafting skills to recreate Michelle Obama's holiday look. The most important things are choosing branches with an appealing shape and making sure your finished arrangement is stable.

What You'll Need

• A selection of sturdy garden branches or suitable fallen twigs
• A pair of sharp, clean secateurs
• A heavy-based vase, planter or decorative container
• Small stones or pebbles to help secure the branches
• A set of warm-white LED fairy lights
• Optional: a few lightweight decorations or ribbons

Whether you leave the finished display unadorned or add a handful of small ornaments, this easy DIY is a beautiful way to bring the outdoors in for the holidays.

With that in mind, then, let's get our Michelle Obama on...

1. Choose Your Branches

Start by looking for branches with plenty of natural character. A mixture of upright stems and smaller offshoots will give your display a fuller (aka more tree-like) shape, while branches with interesting curves can add a sculptural quality.

You can use fallen branches or suitable cuttings from routine garden pruning. If cutting from a living shrub or tree, make sure you're pruning at an appropriate time and in a way that won't damage the plant. Avoid brittle, rotten or diseased wood, and check branches for insects before bringing them indoors.

2. Arrange Them In A Sturdy Container

Choose a vase or planter with a wide and heavy base to help prevent your tree from tipping over. Position the tallest branches towards the centre and arrange the shorter ones around them, allowing the natural shapes to spread out.

Add small stones or pebbles around the base of the branches to help hold them in place. And take care to step back occasionally to check the overall silhouette, adjusting the stems until the arrangement feels balanced without looking too uniform.

3. Add Your Fairy Lights

This is where the magic happens. Wrap your LED fairy lights loosely around the branches, starting near the base and working towards the outer stems. Try to distribute the lights evenly, rather than clustering them in one area.

Warm white lights will give the arrangement a soft, inviting glow, while a more delicate micro-LED string can create a subtle, almost starry effect. Battery-operated lights can also be useful if you want to position your display somewhere without a nearby socket.

Shop Fairy Lights For Your DIY Twig Tree:

The trick to nailing that MIchelle Obama look is to make sure you pick some with a flexible wire that is easy to wind around smaller branches. Take care, too, to check that the length is sufficient for the size of your arrangement.

A timer function is a useful extra if you'd like your tree to illuminate automatically in the evenings.

4. Keep Decor Simple

One of the best things about Michelle Obama's holiday display is that it doesn't need much embellishment; you can leave the branches bare apart from the lights for a minimalist finish, or add a few small ornaments if you prefer something more traditionally festive.

A restrained palette of white, silver or muted gold will complement the natural wood without making the display feel too busy. Alternatively, a simple velvet ribbon tied around the vase can introduce a little texture without distracting from the branches.

5, Find The Perfect Spot

Once your arrangement is finished, place it somewhere it can be appreciated after dark, and take care to position it on a level surface, away from candles, fireplaces and other sources of heat.

The beauty of this Michelle Obama-inspired DIY is that it doesn't have to disappear as soon as Christmas is over. If you keep the decorations minimal, your illuminated branches can continue to bring a soft glow to your home throughout the winter – and beyond.