Christmas Tree Alternatives 2013

It's time for my annual list of Christmas Tree Alternatives. Not that I have anything against fresh cut trees. But there have to be alternatives for those who don't like fresh cut trees, those who are adainst cutting down a tree for decoration, and even those who are allergic (myself included- I touch evergreens and break out in a rash so no gin martini's for me!). It really doesn't matter what a tree is made of, it's the memories and the ornaments that make it a Christmas Tree!

My Friend Mellow, and her family made this wonderful Copper Tree, that should last a lifetime.

I have seen Branch trees used for Halloween and Easter... Never thought of them for Christmas!

Here's one for the Gardeners: Use a Tomato Trellis as a tree!

 

How about a tree made from Pallets???

 

 Or maybe string?

One of my favorites- the Driftwood tree

OR JUST USE WHAT YOU HAVE LYING AROUND THE HOUSE!!!

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS TREES Part Deux

Some more alternative christmas trees for you...
How about RENT A TREE?You pay $30-35 for a living Christmas tree, plud a small deposit, and the tree is planted after the holidays! Sounds like a win -win to me!

Plus some friends of mine whom are temporarily living outside the US, made this alternative-

My friends Kat, Michael and Graham's "Light tree"

Some folks make paper trees:

A Kid's paper tree

Kayla Aimee's Rolled Paper Centerpiece tree

And finally, RecycleArt's Natural driftwood tree

REBLOG- Kitchen Christmas Wreath

Another Reblog, this time from 12/12/2009, 3 years ago to the day: I got inspired by the late great Ready Made to make a wreath for my kitchen made of a wreath form,a kitchen towel, some yarn, scouring pads and upholstery nails

A wreath for the Kitchen? Why not- a dish towel for a ribbon, holly leaves cut from scouring pads So inspired was I to make this wreath form the Dec/Jan Issue of Ready Made Magazine- I kinda like what I came up with! My berries are actually upholstery nails, and instead of string I wrap heavy yarn around my wreath form.

Some DIY Tree Ornaments

I found some items to turn into ornaments for my tree! Starting with this coffee scented candle in a cup and saucer I found at Dollar Tree, it was small enough to become an ornament!

It originally came in this plastic case with a brown ribbon around it... I took it out, took the candle out (I used a knife and scraped it out) hot glued the saucer to the cup and now have the neat little latte on the tree! I also reused the ribbon to make a hanger for it!

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Then I discovered the little picture frames...One was for a small 2 X 3 inch picture and the other also fit a 2 X 3 was intended as place cards for a wedding, I turned them into photo ornaments by simply placing some small adhesive metallic bows on them. Then I removed the frame back, (the one with the little hinged thingy that lets the frame stand up, cut a new one out of some cardboard.

and drill a small hole in the side for putting a hanging ribbon (or in my case, a pipe cleaner) through.
Then put the pic in, the cardboard I cut, and hot glued it to secure everything.

Sled Cookies

I saw these on Pininterest, and knew I had to copy it. So easy, two mini candy canes, glued together with a dab of frosting, a mini Milky Way, split in two; a Teddy Graham cracker stuck between both pieces of Milky Way, and glued onto the Candy Canes. Then let dry overnight.

More fabulous cookies and such

At Farmer's Daughter!

From Candle Wreath to Door Wreath

My Wreath

Mom's Wreath

I found some "Candle Wreaths" at Trader Joe's. Not liking to put a flame surrounded by highly flammable pine needles, but liking the size of the wreath, I took them home and made two wreaths - one for me and one for Mom. (I like the smaller size because it fits in the window in my front door, Mom likes it because it doesn't hide her apartment numbers). Anyway I added bows found at Dollar Tree. Two Wreaths for less than the price of one!

Another Alternative Christmas Tree

 was perusing the internet, as I do, and I found this unique Christmas tree made of Driftwood on instructables, made and constructed by mcorbin. And I for one like it. Maybe time to take the dogs down to Seahurst Park for a walk on the beach and collect some driftwood!

REBLOG: Holiday Favorites

I am reblogging this particular post,from 12/21/2011, as I plan on doing a "Grinch" Tree this year and thought since yesterday we talked about alternative Christmas tress, it would be fitting to share this post again

Every year it happens - people post some of the most creative things. Here are my Favorites for this year...

Photo by Garden Therapy.ca

Ok, if I had seen this Grinch Tree prior to putting up my artificial one, I would have done it as well. I am loving this whimsical tree that  you can plant after the Holiday

 I have an old sled, made by my grandpa for my dad, used later for ME by my mom to cart her baby to the town grocery and post office (they installed a wooden box on it) and I still have the sled! While it is too big to use as a centerpiece in my dining room, it could be used to put my grinch tree on next year! I love this centerpiece from Tammy Hodges, one of my fellow contributors at Junkmarket Style!

This little "Solar-Powered Santa" can be found at Instructables.com. Even with a pompom instead of an LED light, he would be a jolly old elf to put on my tree!

Looks like I will be busy next year. I know how to make tied dyed looking glass ornaments with clear glass ornaments and tempera paints, but ChrysN explains how to make these cool ornaments with Sharpies and Rubbing Alcohol!

 Finally, we come to another sled- an ornament made from popsicle sticks!

ReBlog: Christmas Tree Alternatives

From December 02, 2011, a look at some Christmas Tree Alternatives... 

 

Every year the debate starts about this time- Which is better? Real or Fake? Which is more ecological, greener or cheaper. And every year I get into the fray. Well this year i have a new answer... NEITHER!
let me 'splain... I have nothing against real trees. Just that every year the news media has a story about some poor bastard whose house has burnt down. I just don't like the fire factor. So I thought I would post a few alternatives to look into:

BOTTLE TREES- what better than a tree made out of your wine bottles? Actually these have gained some popularity over the years, and can look quite festive! The Bottle Tree store has many to choose from, including a DIY kit. And I think these are good looking enough to keep around all year!

CARDBOARD TREES- These are cool as well. You can decorate them with markers, photos or what ever comes to your imagination! You can decorate one and send it to someone special, a grandparent, a son or daughter away at college, a service man, a loved one far away.

METAL TREES Yes I said metal. I have seen a few ornament trees around and they can be pricey. But I found mine (at the top of this post) at Big Lots for $10!

Of course there are natural alternatives like Living Christmas trees, the advantage being you can plant the tree after the holiday. Or how about decorating an existing house plant? Or a smelly Rosemary plant (they can look like pine trees) I have done both of these and loved the look.

Holiday Favorites!

Every year it happens - people post some of the most creative things. Here are my Favorites for this year...

Photo by Garden Therapy.ca

Ok, if I had seen this Grinch Tree prior to putting up my artificial one, I would have done it as well. I am loving this whimsical tree that  you can plant after the Holiday

 I have an old sled, made by my grandpa for my dad, used later for ME by my mom to cart her baby to the town grocery and post office (they installed a wooden box on it) and I still have the sled! While it is too big to use as a centerpiece in my dining room, it could be used to put my grinch tree on next year! I love this centerpiece from Tammy Hodges, one of my fellow contributors at Junkmarket Style!

This little "Solar-Powered Santa" can be found at Instructables.com. Even with a pompom instead of an LED light, he would be a jolly old elf to put on my tree!

Looks like I will be busy next year. I know how to make tied dyed looking glass ornaments with clear glass ornaments and tempera paints, but ChrysN explains how to make these cool ornaments with Sharpies and Rubbing Alcohol!

 Finally, we come to another sled- an ornament made from popsicle sticks!

Would you like to fly in my beautiful Balloon?

One of the advantages to joining Craft parties is you get so many great Ideas from the other bloggers, Like my hot air baloon ornament, which I found on The Cheese Thief. Very simple to make, I substituted a small jewelry type box for the basket. I got my plastic ornament from Ikea "As-Is", plastic is so easy to drill into. I think it makes a smart looking ornament... Cap'n Jack likes it too!

The Stockings were hung by the Chimney with care...

Well this year Romeo and I are going all out for Santa. I ordered some canvas stockings from Oriental Trading Company, and used my Sharpie Stain Fabric Markers to decorate. I have stockings leftover... maybe they will turn into gift bags for next year? Speaking of Romeo and christmas... I just got his christmas pic with the old elf. Cute dog, No?

Christmas Tree Alternatives

Every year the debate starts about this time- Which is better? Real or Fake? Which is more ecological, greener or cheaper. And every year I get into the fray. Well this year i have a new answer... NEITHER!
let me 'splain... I have nothing against real trees. Just that every year the news media has a story about some poor bastard whose house has burnt down. I just don't like the fire factor. So I thought I would post a few alternatives to look into:

BOTTLE TREES- what better than a tree made out of your wine bottles? Actually these have gained some popularity over the years, and can look quite festive! The Bottle Tree store has many to choose from, including a DIY kit. And I think these are good looking enough to keep around all year!

CARDBOARD TREES- These are cool as well. You can decorate them with markers, photos or what ever comes to your imagination! You can decorate one and send it to someone special, a grandparent, a son or daughter away at college, a service man, a loved one far away.

METAL TREES Yes I said metal. I have seen a few ornament trees around and they can be pricey. But I found mine (at the top of this post) at Big Lots for $10!

Of course there are natural alternatives like Living Christmas trees, the advantage being you can plant the tree after the holiday. Or how about decorating an existing house plant? Or a smelly Rosemary plant (they can look like pine trees) I have done both of these and loved the look.