Tree skirts hide the mechanics of the tree stand and provide a decorative underlayment for gifts spread under the Christmas tree...

• My tree skirt is simply a swath of fabric that I drape around the base of the tree (I think it’s a couple of yards long). It happens to be Christmassy fabric that I couldn’t resist buying (it has wonderful, little old-fashioned Santas all over it) - but any attractive fabric would do! (It could even be different every year, to match the theme of your tree... if it has one.)

• Felt tree skirts are simple to make (no hemming required) and can be made in a donut shape to fit around the tree base. A plain solid color might do for you - or pieced multiple colors? - or glued-on shapes in other colors - or glued- or sewn-on webs of a design overlay, like traditional Hungarian felt-work or Hawaiian quilt patterns.

• You could make a fancy-looking tree skirt out of spread-apart and sewn-together men’s ties.

• A mola is a cut-away appliqué technique from Central America. If you aren’t going to cover up your tree skirt with gifts (which would be a shame!), it might be worth your while to make a rather elaborate fabric design (a Christmas scene?) using this approach. Essentially, it involves cutting away the outermost layer of multiple layers of fabric (folding the edges under and sewing them down) to frame a shape on the layer underneath... sort of a "reverse appliqué" technique, where the outlines of the shapes are what’s applied instead of the shapes themselves. (You can just work with an outer layer and bits of underneath colors as needed.)

A traditional mola is a wonderfully detailed picture, with many colors showing instead of just the one (and perhaps with some embroidery to boot). ...Look for a book in your local library for more information!

• How about a quilted tree skirt? - perhaps salvaged from an old quilt that’s partly worn away (a wonderful way to preserve a family heirloom that’s seen better days!). Or make it anew. If you like, add some appliqué or embroidery.

• An extremely elegant tree skirt can be made from a length of brocade fabric gathered paper-bag style (i.e., a few inches below the "top" edge - which will be tied around the tree trunk base). Use enough to form a complete circle at the outer edge (which might be enlivened by a silky fringe trim).

• Or try a velvet fabric swath, with a string of tiny white lights at its circumference. (If you use LED lights - negligible heat - you could use this as a nightlight of enchantment!)
    
• Or forget the fabric and go with the "underlayment" idea...  Heap a layer of popcorn around the base of the tree, corralled inside a fence of low garden edging.