Introduction: Recycled Light Bulb Xmas Tree.
Start to replace your light bulbs with CFL's and by next Christmas you can have your own tree!
Step 1: What's Needed
Traffic Cone
Plastic bag to fit inside cone.(stops gluing to cone)
Light bulbs.
E6000 Glue.
Rag,(to keep bulbs in place and make hole in middle for led lights)
Step 2: Fill Cone With Plastic Bag.
Line the inside of the cone so that you don't glue to the cone, if so you will need to cut the cone from the bulb tree. Place the cone inside a box to keep it upright.
Step 3: Start to Glue Bulbs.
This is going to take some time. You will need to glue the bulbs one by one and stop when you have a few rows (so that they don't fall in) don't use to much glue and try to see how they sit with each other before you use the glue.
Step 4: Gluing and More Gluing
As you work upwards, try to keep to the sides and when needed stuff with a rag or paper in the middle.
Step 5: Last Row.
Try to keep the last row of light bulbs at the same level this will help the tree to sit straight. Make sure to leave the middle open for the fairy lights. Let it be for 24 hours.
Step 6: Remove Tree From Cone
Hopfully you can just pull the tree out of the bag and cone. Remove any rags or paper.
Step 7: Add LED Christmas Lights.
Place the LED Christmas light bulbs inside the tree, you may need to use tape to keep in place.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/LED-Wide-Angle-Plug-In-Lights/
Step 8: Plug in and Enjoy!

Runner Up in the
Homemade Holidays: Holiday Decorations

Participated in the
Homemade Holidays: Holiday Decorations
1 Person Made This Project!
- Pepe6662 made it!
23 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
This is a really cool project for burned out light bulbs, and I can see accruing them if I don't throw them away when they burn out, but PLEASE before you encourage everyone to switch to CFLs and disable your entire bag of light bulbs, do a search on EMFs, also known as "dirty electricity". Incandescent bulbs do not put out enough EMFs to even notice, but CFLs emit a surprisingly high level known to cause health problems in susceptible individuals, such as skin rashes, migraines, elevated blood sugars in diabetics, and arthritic conditions. (I learned about all this because I've seen it first hand) Also, unlike European CFLs, American CFLs do not have the capacative circuit meant to lower electricity usage, so they actually end up increasing your power usage, not lowering it.
Also, consider the fact that CFLs contain toxic chemicals like mercury, risking exposure to your family members if one is accidentally broken, and they can't just be thrown in the trash like regular bulbs.
If you are still opposed to Incandescent bulbs and want a REAL green option, consider LEDs. (THEN you can make your light-bulb Christmas Tree!)
Reply 6 years ago
So LED's are probably the answer...
Reply 6 years ago
So LED's are probably the answer...
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
thanks for the mouth-wash.
6 years ago
Hi, I've added your project to the "Unusual Uses for Light-Bulbs" Collection
This is the link If you are interested:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Unusual-Uses-for-L...
6 years ago
So cool! I like it
7 years ago
Awesome!!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
would be cool if you could make it into a kinda chandelier. would look like an icicle
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Design one :)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
This was made for the movie "Earthbound" with kate hudson. Filmed in New Orleans.
8 years ago on Introduction
The Instructables Ive been waiting for. I have this massive pile of used lightbulbs Ive been hanging onto in the sure & certain knowledge that one day someone would post a sufficiently appealling re-use project. Tadaah! Thanks.
13 years ago on Introduction
That's very nice! If you were a bit of a daredevil you could put the fairy lights in as you glue (if you're careful enough) so that the light will be at the top too.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Good idea.
12 years ago on Introduction
I didn't realize how much I loved this until I read the instructions. I can't wait to make this for Christmas. :)
13 years ago on Introduction
This is a good use of them. Sadly I am going the other way with the high failure rate of CFL's vs the incandedents, and I dont think the spirals would look as good with CFLs instead.
13 years ago on Introduction
New years resolution - change out all your regular bulbs for CFL's and you will have enough to make this project... a new tree for next year! great project..
13 years ago on Introduction
"Start to replace your light bulbs with CFL's and" But who the HELL?! Has that many lightbulbs shoves in their roof? I knew something like this would come out, the instructables culture is everywhere. But seriously, this is awesome lol
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You can also ask friends and family for their old bulbs.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
go to a light center that has big display. they'll give you a box at least the size in the pictures
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
How many light bulbs in your den?