I was recently asked to build a Christmas village display shelf for a client. She saw an example on Pinterest of a Christmas tree shaped shelf and wondered if I could make one for her. Many people have Christmas villages or other Christmas related decor collections and want a way to display them during the holiday season. In fact, I ended up making a second one for another client.
After looking at the example, I drafted a plan based on the overall width and height she wanted. I use a free tool called Sketchup to draft my projects. It really helps to be able to send a client a measured drawing prior to starting a project.
Are you looking for plans to build your own corner Christmas village display shelf?
You can get my corner Christmas village display tree plans at store.cooperjason.com! The plans include 11 pages of photos, measured drawings, cut layouts, and instructions so you can build your own 5′ or 6′ shelf out of one sheet of plywood. The plans are available as a printable PDF download and are available instantly upon ordering.
This project was also the reason I built a circle cutting jig. It made cutting out the rounded shelves so much easier.
If you would like a similar shelf, let me know. I have designs for 5-foot and 6-foot tall versions. If you don’t need it to fold up for storage, I can make it more quickly and for a little less cost (local pick up only).
Building the corner Christmas village display shelf.
It’s a fairly straightforward project made with ACX sanded plywood. The only hitch was to make it so the shelves could be removed and it could be stored. Gotta love a challenge!
It was easy enough to hinge the side pieces so they could fold up, but attaching the shelves took a little more engineering. I ended up using short dowel pins near the front edge of each shelf. This kept the shelf from shifting forward and falling off the supports, and it keeps the side supports from opening too widely and therefore dropping the shelves.
But that wasn’t quite enough to keep the back corner of each shelf from lifting if the weight distribution on the shelf wasn’t quite right.
So I added a single screw attached from the back side (so it’s not visible from the front) into the shelf near the rear edge. This did the trick, though you need a screwdriver to assemble and disassemble.
I also notched the back corner of each shelf so that it would be easy to run electrical cords to each shelf.
What I learned:
Even plywood, a very stable material, has a memory. If it sits for long at the store in a place where it isn’t perfectly flat, it will get a bit of a curve to it. I had to clamp one of the shelves for several days to bend it back straight.
Sand before assembly. It’s much easier to give everything a quick sanding before you start putting it together. It will still need some touch-up sanding afterward, but it’s just so much easier to sand all the flat pieces before assembly.
Tools used:
16 Responses
How do I order the plans for this? Thanks in advance my daughter is wanting one.
I would love the plans for the 6ft tall one
If you haven’t already, you can visit my store and purchase the plans. https://store.cooperjason.com/listing/christmas-village-display-shel?product=1453
Can i have the plans for the 6/7 foit christmas village display
The plans are available for purchase in my online store. https://store.cooperjason.com/listing/christmas-village-display-shel?product=1453
How do I buy one of the village tree displays?
Thank you for making this!! Easy to understand and I needed a collapsible design instead of the other versions people had online. And as an architectural grad, I also appreciate the well-crafted drawings! Thank you!
I am glad they are helpful! You’ll have to post a photo of yours on my Facebook page once you get it built. https://www.facebook.com/handcraftedbyjasoncooper/
Do you sell the village Christmas tree corner display! You said you made two for different clients! Can they be shipped? It would be for next year
Pat. I do sell them, but I usually do that locally (here in Nebraska) since they are fairly large and difficult to ship. Since you are looking at it for next year, let me look into shipping costs for something that large…unless you happen to also be in Nebraska. 🙂
If you don’t hear from me in a month or so (after the holidays), don’t be afraid to remind me.
Hi Jason,
I was also wondering if it would be possible to order one to be shipped. Please let me know.
Thank you!
Gerry – I have had that request several times now, but unfortunately because of the size and weight it is too expensive to ship. So this is one I only offer for local pickup.
I have already subscribed twice and have not received the email for the plans. Whats up with that?
Keith – I tracked down the problem and sent you a new email with the link for downloading the plans. Let me know if you have further issues.
Would like plans for 5′ wooden christmas tree shelf.
Thank you.
Phyllis. No problem. All you have to do is visit my store and you can buy the plans. https://store.cooperjason.com/listing/christmas-village-display-shel?product=1453
The plans include measurements for both the 5′ and 6′ version of the shelf.
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