Christmas brings out not only credit cards, but creativity, especially for those who seek alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree. Some choose alternatives to be more environmentally friendly, some because they want easier decorations. Others are tight on money or space, or just want something different.
There are loads of ideas for tree substitutes. Google "Christmas tree alternatives" and you'll find dozens of websites with photos.
Of course, one of those is Martha Stewart (Was there a doubt?). Among her ideas is a branch tree. Gather some interesting branches and place them – perfectly spaced out, of course – in a decorative container. She used a jasperware vase, but you could use a holiday pitcher, painted coffee can or thrift-shop teapot. Use your imagination. Decorate the branches with ornaments, as usual.
Others have gathered fallen branches or driftwood and nailed the pieces together in the shape of a tree, which could be stored and used again.
Sarah Phillips of Rochester made a 2-D tree on her wall one year. "I wanted to keep my holiday decorations simple, to save time and energy," she says. "But I still wanted a few lovely symbols of the season. I always save the holiday cards I receive with friends' family photos, so I ended up combining those with the new holiday photos I received and taped them to the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree."
Wall trees made with a variety of materials are popular. You can secure pine tree branches to the wall, starting with a short one at top and using increasingly larger ones until you reach the bottom, to create the shape of a pine tree. Then decorate them with lights and ornaments. Martha has a photo of this on her website (marthastewart.com).
Another idea is to create a wall tree using holiday wrapping paper and bows. One creative designer on hgtv.com used old garden tools to make a wall tree.
Are you a bibliophile? Dust off your books to create a tree. Start by making a circle on the floor with books. On top of those, pile more books to shape a smaller circle. Repeat until you put one book at the top.
Your alternative tree can still be green – use a plant. Springfield resident Théa Chesley did that when she wanted to simplify her decorations. "Instead of buying a tree, hauling it home and into the house, stabilizing it in a stand, decorating it, keeping it watered, un-decorating it and disposing of it, all without anyone's assistance guaranteed, I sought an easier way," she said. While shopping one day, she found her solution – "four, little, 18-inch Norfolk Island Pines in a small pot, decorated with red and white bows and little jingle bells." She named it Mikey, after a friend. Some years she decorated it with red chili pepper lights, others with small glass ornaments or key chains she got as promotional freebies. It's now 6 feet tall and still the star of her holiday season.
Maybe you're overloaded with round ornaments. Glue them together, alternating sizes and colors, to create a tree. Bonus – you can save it and reuse. If you don't have enough ornaments, check local thrift stores to keep this alternative inexpensive. Or attach the ornaments to a wall or door in the shape of a tree to make another type of wall tree. Place wrapped gifts at its base.
Those who are really crafty and have time might want to make a PVC pipe tree. Cut various sizes of PVC, then attach them in a tree shape to your wall or door. Place small ornaments, holiday candy, toys or anything colorful inside each piece of PVC. You can do the same thing with round pieces cut from various types of wood branches. If you have time, paint them different colors first.
An especially lovely alternative tree can be made by stringing lights from a single point in your ceiling to create a circle on your floor. The lights will fan out to make the shape of a tree. In the middle you can place a Nativity, glass ornaments, pine branches or other decorations. Make sure to keep the lights on all night so no one accidentally runs into them when it's dark.
Another twist on the tree if you're merely short on space is to hang your Christmas tree from the ceiling. Decorate it first and attach each ornament securely to the branches with twist ties or string. And don't dip into the eggnog before hanging it upside down or you might spend the holidays in the hospital.
If you choose to create a different type of tree, have fun and use your imagination.
