Recently we sought your ideas for handmade christmas tree decorations for our first tree. The thing is that we still haven't bought the tree and as of yesterday, the stand or the lights. On our way home from a client's house a couple days ago we passed a big box mall. On a normal day, the idea of visiting this mall makes going to the dentist look good to us. Add the holiday crowds, and it makes getting a root canal sound appetizing. Not to mention all the other reasons to shop local instead of big box. But we barely have a free moment between now and Christmas so we confess that we pulled into the mall. Here's what we discovered...
We went to Target and Home Depot and they were completely sold out of Christmas tree stands AND lights. We assumed that the big guys, known for deep inventories and massive selection would have what we needed: a tree stand and LED lights. Nothing.
We grew discouraged, thinking maybe our tree wasn't meant to be. The next day (yesterday) we stopped at Yumont True Value Hardware in Jamaica Plain and lo and behold: plenty of stands and tree lights! (Granted, they didn't have the more efficient LED lights which was disappointing and we're aware that Target did, at one point.)
Honestly we assumed it would have been the other way around: we figured our local hardware store carries less inventory and would have sold out long before the big guys. We learned a memorable lesson: always start local. Not to mention it's a lot better for a thriving local economy.
Now we just have to get the tree...(We're planning to go to Allandale Farm in Brookline!)
Where have you been getting your Christmas trees and supplies?
Try Craigslist! If you live in an urban area chances are high that a lot of people are moving at this time and are giving away Christmas decor including trees and lights.
Other than that every year we buy hand-made German decorations. They are charming with an old world look. Amazingly we find them at Marshall's and TJ Maxx.
I personally have an aversion to hardware stores and am always at the end of an annoyingly long line full of contractors and old women with snippy little dogs in their totes. But love the idea of shopping locally at small independent businesses.
We're lucky enough to have a Ten Thousand Villages store close by in Alexandria, VA. Although not a mom & pop business - they are small (only about 120 stores) and offer unique items from around the world - all fair trade too.
I also have to admit I love some of the retro Mercury glass decorations I found at Pottery Barn & Target. I have not purchased them yet but might get a few before week's end. And feel inspired from your blog so may give a few of the local hardware stores a peek too.
view Paulette33's profile
kyle - you're not missing anything with the LED lights. they flicker a little and give you the world's most massive headache. and they're bright. it's one thing being on the road late at night with bright headlights on the other side of the freeway and behind you, it's another thing having that same effect in your home!!
view Joan in SB's profile
I don't plan on having a Christmas tree anytime soon (I can't imagine storing decorations in a small apt for 11 months out of the year), but a friend showed me a picture she took of a Christmas tree at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. It was completely decorated with small paper origami figures and creatures! Very clever. You could even have a origami making / tree decorating party with friends! If I do ever have a tree, I think I will try this idea.
view mc868's profile
Try craft stores, too. Beverly's (sort of like Michael's) had LED lights and a ton of Christmas stuff for half off yesterday. I'm betting it'll stay half off or better through Christmas.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
I love Yumont True Value Hardware! They are always my go-to store before I head over to the big box stores. The guys who work there are a wealth of information.
view shecreates's profile
Joan in SB - I'm totally with you on my lack of love with LED x-mas lights. I bought a strand this year for inside the house and the light they emit is HARSH. Somebody needs to tell the LED x-mas light companies they need to tone it down a notch or two.
view Lizzy C's profile
Kyle-
We were in the same situation, we got a Zipcar to get a tree only had an hour or so to get the tree and get home. We ended up going to Home Depot because we knew we could get what we needed quickly. They had no tree stands and admitted they only had about 500 for the store but they had gotten something like 5000 trees. The tree lived in a bucket over night until we got a stand at the local hardware store the next day.
view Wesfs33's profile
Had a sad experience with our local hardware store the other day. I'm trying to match cabinet knobs to some existing ones for a client. They are basic white porcelain - perfect opportunity to go to the local hardware store! They had them, but they were more than $10 a piece and I needed 60 - the total cost would have been close to $700. I ended up buying the same exact knobs online for $132. I so wanted to support the little guy, but it just doesn't make sense in this (or any) economy to pay $568 more than necessary to do so.
view LilyC's profile
Big Lots! They have some of the cutest stuff at GREAT prices! AND they have LED lights!! And speaking in general...they have many eco-conscious items! I swear by the great price of Seventh Generation laundry detergent!
view unseeneclipse's profile
...took the easy road this year....nothing new..unless I make it...and unbreakable things this year. (Grandson)
view EileenB's profile
Yumont rocks - alas, while not currently a JP resident, I was one (and a regular Yumont customer) long enough for them to feel comfortable briefly lending me a power drill one time (they suggested it when I mentioned what my project was)!!
view Bex's profile