DIY Metal Tinsel: A Reusable, Pet-Friendly Old-Fashioned Christmas Idea. Easy to make and safe for your pets.
DIY Metal Tinsel: A Reusable, Pet-Friendly Old-Fashioned Christmas Idea
Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Club • Project #2
Silver or Gold? Make Your Own Metal Tinsel
Silver or gold? That’s the only hard decision you’ll have to make with this project! Welcome to project #2 of my Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Club. Today I’m sharing how to make DIY metal tinsel from flat craft wire. It’s simple, it’s reusable, it’s pet friendly, and I honestly think it’s even prettier than regular tinsel.
Why I Made My Own Pet-Friendly Tinsel
Keeping My Cats Safe at Christmas
This little project is close to my heart. I fought so hard to save my sweet cat Pumpkin from FIP, and ever since, I’ve been extra protective of my kitties. My vet told me that if cats eat tinsel, it can kill them, and my cats absolutely LOVE anything stringy or sparkly. So I haven’t had tinsel on our tree since we’ve had cats… but oh, how I’ve missed that shimmery, old-fashioned look. This cat-safe tinsel alternative brings it back.
A Reusable Tinsel That Won’t Tangle
I’ve also heard that traditional tinsel is really hard on the environment, and it always felt a little wasteful to me. It gets so tangled that it’s almost impossible to reuse. This reusable metal tinsel hangs neatly on the tree, packs away easily, and comes back out year after year.
A Vintage Christmas Tree for Our 1932 Home
This is our very first Christmas in our 1932 home, and I wanted a tree that felt like it could have stood in this living room almost a hundred years ago. The twisted wire catches the twinkle lights just like vintage tinsel, and it looks so pretty with red and pink glass ornaments, candle clip lights and plaid ribbon.
DIY Metal Tinsel Supplies
What You’ll Need
Want the exact supplies I used? Comment TINSEL on my Instagram post and I’ll send you the links, or find them all at the bottom of this post.
- Flat metal craft wire – it comes in both gold and silver, and the spools come in different lengths
- A drill (optional – you can twist it by hand!)
- A cup hook
- Pliers or wire cutters
- A measuring tape
- Ornament hangers
- A helper to hold the other end of the wire
How to Make DIY Metal Tinsel
Step 1: Unspool the Flat Wire
Unspool a long length of your flat wire. You can twist a long piece all at once and cut it into lots of tinsel strands afterward.
Step 2: Put a Cup Hook in Your Drill
Put a cup hook into your drill just like you would a drill bit. Make a small hook in the end of the wire and wrap it around the cup hook so it stays put.
Step 3: Slowly Twist the Wire
Have someone hold the other end of the wire nice and taut. Slowly start your drill, and watch the flat wire twist into shimmery tinsel. Go slowly so the twist stays even.
No Drill? Twist It by Hand
No drill? No problem! You can totally twist the wire by hand. It just takes a little longer, but the metal is so flexible that anyone can make this, no power tools needed.
Step 4: Cut the Tinsel to Length
Use pliers or wire cutters to cut your tinsel to whatever length you like. I cut mine to 10 inches because I wanted it to be long and drapey. Tip: add an extra 1 to 2 inches to each piece for the hook at the top, depending on how big you make your hook.
Step 5: Fold a Hook at the Top
Fold the top of each piece down into a little hook, then add an ornament hanger so you can hang it on your tree.
Make a Whole Bundle of Tinsel
Before you know it, you’ll have a whole bundle of gold (or silver!) tinsel ready to go.
Step 6: Hang It on Your Christmas Tree
Hang each strand on your tree and step back to admire all that sparkle. I love how the twisted wire catches the lights from every angle.
Reuse Your Metal Tinsel Year After Year
How to Store Your Tinsel
When the season is over, just slip each strand off the tree and tuck them into a box. No tangles, no waste, and you’ll have beautiful tinsel ready for next Christmas.
DIY Metal Tinsel FAQ
Is metal tinsel safe for cats?
Regular thin tinsel is dangerous because cats can swallow the strands. This metal tinsel is made from sturdier flat wire, so it doesn’t break into little pieces the way traditional tinsel does. Every pet is different, so always keep an eye on curious kitties around your tree.
Can I use silver instead of gold?
Yes! Flat metal craft wire comes in both silver and gold, so you can match your tree or even mix the two.
How long should I cut my tinsel?
Cut it to any length you like. I cut mine to 10 inches for a long, drapey look, plus 1 to 2 extra inches for the hook at the top.
Do I need a drill to make this tinsel?
No. A drill makes it faster, but the wire is flexible enough to twist by hand.
More Old-Fashioned Christmas Ideas
Join the Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Club
This is our second project for the Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Club, and I am overflowing with ideas! Be sure to follow along for more timeless DIY projects and gift ideas all season long. Don’t miss project #1: Cozy Christmas Gift Baskets for Neighbors.
Silver or Gold? Tell Me in the Comments
Will you make yours in silver or gold? Let me know in the comments, and if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help.
XOXO Jen
Shop the DIY Metal Tinsel Supplies
Grab the Supplies Here
I hope you try this idea! Tag me on Instagram @tatertotsandjello if you do! I would love to see YOUR tree!
xoxo
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