I love a project like this because it looks charming and pulled-together, but it starts with the simplest pieces: dollar store foam harvest cones and thrifted glass cake stands. By stacking the cones into full topiary trees and mounting them on pretty glass pedestals, you get a pair of front-door decorations that feel festive, tall, and special without spending much at all.
This is a wonderful weekend craft if you want autumn porch decor that is lightweight, easy to customize, and family-budget friendly. I’m always looking for pieces that make an entryway feel warm before guests even step inside, and this 2-item set does exactly that.
Materials
6 dollar store foam harvest cones, about 8 to 10 inches tall each
Instructions
1. Wipe the glass cake stands clean and make sure they sit level, then remove any tags or sticky residue so your finished pieces look polished from every angle.
2. If your foam cones are bright green or have patchy spots, dry-brush them with cream and a little burnt orange paint to soften the color and give the arrangement a warmer autumn base.
3. Build each topiary by stacking 3 cones vertically, using hot glue between each cone and reinforcing the center with toothpicks or short skewer pieces pushed through the foam before pressing together.
4. Glue one foam ball to the very top of each cone stack to create a rounded topper, then let the whole form cool for a minute so it holds firmly before decorating.
5. Center each stacked cone topiary on a glass cake stand and glue the bottom cone securely to the plate, holding it upright until the glue sets so the tree stands straight.
6. Cut faux leaves and berry picks into smaller sprigs, then start at the bottom of each tree and hot glue them in overlapping layers, working upward so the foam is generously covered.
7. Tuck in mini pumpkins and gourds around the lower third of each topiary, spacing 3 on each tree for balance and gluing them where they look naturally nestled into the leaves.
8. Fill any visible gaps with moss, pressing small pieces into hot glue or craft glue around the seams, between leaves, and especially where the tree meets the glass stand.
9. Wrap a band of burlap ribbon around the base of each topiary where it meets the cake stand, then add a smaller accent ribbon bow to the front for a finished front-door look.
10. Fluff the leaves, tilt a few berry sprigs outward for dimension, and check both trees side by side so the pair feels full, balanced, and intentionally styled.
Variations & Tips
Color mix: If your porch leans more neutral, use cream pumpkins, tan burlap, and muted leaves in rust, olive, and gold instead of brighter orange tones.
For windy porches: Add a bead of hot glue under the entire base and let it fully harden before moving the stands outside; you can also place a few decorative stones under the cake stand dome area if the pedestal shape allows extra weight.
Picky-decorator tip: In my house, everyone has opinions about holiday decor just like they do about dinner, so I like to make one topiary a little more pumpkin-heavy and one a little leafier; the set still matches, but it feels more personal.
Budget swap: If you only find mismatched cake stands, that’s perfectly fine; just keep them close in height and use the same ribbon and foliage on both trees so the pair reads as intentional.
Extra fullness: Don’t be shy with the leaf layering. The prettiest version of this project is the one where you can barely spot the foam underneath except in tiny tucked-away areas.
Season-long finish: Keep the topiaries under a covered porch to protect the foam, ribbon, and hot glue from rain and strong afternoon sun.