I have saved so much money over the last few holidays by purchasing an artificial Christmas tree. This year I picked up Modernica's small superstar holiday tree and I am in love! It is the perfect size for my desk and makes me happy every time I look at it while working. When I go home for Christmas, my parents have a very traditional Christmas, but when I am in Los Angeles for the holidays I like to switch it up a bit with nontraditional decor.
You can dress up the wood Christmas trees or leave them plain for a more minimal look. I have seen Modernica's tree painted green and even painted with glitter. I think I may leave mine the natural wood tone, but buy some mini ornaments to jazz it up a bit. How will you be decorating for Christmas this year? Will you be buying a real tree or something less traditional?
• Superstar Holiday Tree (small): Modernica $229
• Natural Bay Leaf Tree (large): Pottery Barn $149
• Scalloped Trees (large): West Elm $63
• 3ft Tabletop Tree: PossibiliTree $160
Images: As credited above
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Back in the 70s, my mother was hospitalized through the holidays. I made a 6' MACRAMA Christmas tree, complete with red and silver beads, and hung it on the wall of her room.
I was such a hippie....
That west elm tree would be a great DIY with a styrofoam form and a box of popsicle sticks or even thin branches from a tree. Hmm...thanks for the inspiration!
I stack all of my large tomato cages not in use over the winter and wind pearlized white globe lights around it. It looks fantastic! And works great as a storage solution for my tomato cages in my tiny apt.
zimmerwoman, I love that tomato cages idea!
Some people here make driftwood Christmas trees decorated with bromeliads, then after new year's disassemble it and return the components to the garden.
Another great choice are artisan crafted wooden trees by Festive Tree, a small design firm out of New Hampshire that creates beautiful trees. Sustainable, made to use for generations.
www.festivetree.com
I was lucky enough to get a Smith & Hawken Heirloom Ornament Tree just before they went out of business. (http://rosenotes.typepad.com/.a/6a010535bf3807970c01287655179b970c-pi)
Since the tree is made of metal, I am making soft and colorful felt owl ornaments for it this year.
My mom has a Douglas fir, and it's very pretty and smells great, but it takes a lot of time and attention to decorate, water, remove decorations and clean up the needles.