For us, a Christmas tree is an essential ingredient for holiday happiness. But this year we're debating whether or not to buy a real tree (for reasons that relate to the environment and our pocketbook). Instead, we could go with a modern Christmas tree alternative, but they're often quite pricey (and seem even more so in this economy). What about harnessing that inner MacGyver and fashioning a Christmas tree out of things you already have on hand?
Images above, from left to right:
- This antique drying rack dressed up like a Christmas tree is much prettier than our overloaded drying rack. But we're getting ideas. We spotted it in Country Living.
- We were inspired by the wonderful suggestions over at Curbly: Why not try a camera tripod?
- Or perhaps a ladder?
- If all else fails, a tree branch might work just fine.
With a little creativity, some ornaments, and a strand or two of lights, we think most of these household items would make whimsical, charming Christmas tree alternatives. Although, you'd have to invest in some (soy) pine-scented candles for the full effect.
What other items would you add to this list?
Images: 1. Country Living; 2. Curbly; 3. Curbly; 4. Curbly
Originally published 2008-12-03 - CB
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These are all too funny. Good work, people.
How about a discarded waterbottle tree?
We just realized, er, decided that a tree was out of our budget, so thank you for the ideas /making us feel like less of a failure.
This year we'll be away from home for the last half of December, so we opted against spending the time and cost of putting up a live tree. I do love the smell, though, so I hung some swags with big bows. Also, I found a huge bunch of tall curly willow, bound it tightly at the bottom (to keep it sturdy), and put it in a silver paint can... the stalks are curvy enough to string beaded garland and hang quite a few ornaments from. Simple & lovely!
Last year we celebrated with my friends, and they decorated a ladder with green paper and ornaments :)
Norfolk island pines make good houseplants that can be decorated for x-mas
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/DKIMAGES/Discover/Home/Gardening/Indoor-Garden/Houseplants/Specific-Uses/Architectural-Effect/Architectural-Effect-4.html
One year I hung crotcheted snow flakes and chandelier crystals from the ceiling by fishline. Last year (my fave to date) the only decorations were a large vase full of gold-painted branches, and a parade of chia pets.
My dad grew up in Santa Fe and his family used to wrap Christmas lights around a cactus instead of a tree. If I didn't already have a 12" artificial tree I'd probably do something similar involving my hat/coat stand.
This reminds me of one of my grandma's "adventures". One year she spray painted and decorated a tumbleweed instead of a tree (to save some money). She said it looked real pretty, but it turned out that it rolled around her living room, so she had to tie it down.
I can't tell it like she did (she was a great story teller), but it makes me laugh to think about it. Merry Christmas, Grandma.
We actually have a bronze sculpture of a tree on our wall and last year decided that instead of killing a perfectly good tree that we would simply decorate this little guy (it's around 3' tall/30" wide).
It turned out great! Not only was it pretty and out of the way, it also made it so much less trouble to set up and then clean up. I must admit, the lazy person in me rejoiced at the thought of not having to spend 2 hrs decorating and 3 hrs putting away!
The apartment I as living in last year was too small to accommodate a tree, so I developed a great alternative. I found a small, felled birch trunk in the woods, with a good shape and several offshoot branches -- brought it home, cleaned it up, broke the branches off into artistic stubs, and hung it from the ceiling with invisiwire. I hung a dozen varied ornaments from it (etched glass, porcelain figures, handmade gingerbread shapes, quilted elements, etc) with long satin ribbons. The "tree" wouldn't support lights, but I looped several sets of tiny white winkers around the room (along the molding) -- the effect was a great mix of ethereal whimsy and country Christmas. Am homeless this year and crashing with relatives, but I've kept the branch so that I have the option of recreating the look in my new place next Christmas -- regardless of the space allowance.
When I was younger, my parents made a two-dimensional "tree" by taping a green, construction paper chain to the wall in the shape of a large triangle. The ornaments were the colorful holiday cards received from friends and family (also taped up), and we'd pile our gifts against the wall under the tree. It was fun to see it fill up as Christmas came near.
What about living house plants...? They need holiday love, too!
The fourth one looks like Charlie Brown's tree. :)
My husband's friend made this one year:
http://mdewtree.com/
Unfortunately they did drink all that mountain dew.
This year we are displaying our family heirloom ornaments on a pruned branch of our fig tree!
Photos at http://kitchen-55.com/?p=159
Happy Decorating!
-Beth