You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you see the Christmas tree at your mom and dad’s?
All those ornaments, all those memories…hmm, it’s cozy. It’s hard to go home to your own tree and realize that it aspires to be a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. It takes time to build up those ornaments. Consider this, if you buy one ornament each year for your children or spouse or your pets, you have a long way to go before the tree is covered. It’s expensive and it takes time. If you start buying a Christmas ornament whenever you see one on sale, or perhaps when you’re on vacation or waiting in an airport, you’ll start to build them up.
You can’t just go run out and buy 700 ornaments and expect the tree to look meaningful. Fret not. There are lots of ways to make your tree look inviting and homey. Here are some ideas. You don’t want to spend a lot of money, because let’s face it; at this juncture any extra cash is better used on actual furniture. This is where you have to be creative.
- Natural Tree: Start with a tree that has lights. Go on a hike or a nature trail and pick up pinecones of all sizes. Use thick brown twine as a garland. Attach the pinecones to the branches. If you’re really snazzy you can go to the local florist or dollar store and buy a bunch of dried baby’s breath. Tuck it in around the branches. Add dark green bows. Use burlap as your tree skirt.
- Use tulle: You can buy tulle on rolls in every color imaginable. Wind it on the tree like garland. With white lights, you’ll be tempted to leave it out all year.
- Candy ornaments: If you’ve ever read Charles Dickens, you’ll know that the Christmas Tree was THE place of choice for Christmas sweets. Buy your favorite candy, candy canes, bubble gum, chocolates, whatever. You can buy those fake strawberry candies in huge packages! Tie them with twine (use tape to hold them in place) and cover the tree with them. Use colored lights to give it a true Willy Wonka kind of look. The foil catches the light and it looks pretty awesome.
- Super Heroes: The only reason my brother has an angel for his tree now is that my mother was horrified he put a Batman collectible on the top. Even if you don’t want to take them out of the boxes, (I know how you collectors are,) you can still perch them throughout the tree. Choose some of those red bows that are pre-tied in the seasonal aisle. Holy Christmas Tree Batman!
- Feathery Tree: You can buy bags of feathers from craft store chains. Choose a few that you like and maybe even buy matching garland. It will look bright and cheery even without lights.
- Silly String Tree: Have a few friends over and just spray the tree. I don’t recommend lights for this because it may melt.
- Paper Crafts: Crepe paper, tiny piñatas, etc. are all good choices to make a tree look festive and fun. Use a Rebozo, (those beautiful Mexican scarves) as your tree skirt.
- Floral Tree: The dollar store has tons of fake flowers that are really pretty. Cut them apart and sprinkle them through the tree.
