Some hardcore environmentalists are giving up on the debate of real versus fake trees and opting for no tree at all. Have you ditched the Christmas tree in order to help save the environment?
Maybe this year you could consider a faux tree. No, I’m not talking about an artificial tree made from PVC and all kinds of nasty chemicals. I’m talking about a handmade tree made from scraps, upcycled materials and art supplies. Here are five more crafty alternatives to inspire your own Christmas creativity.
1. Soda Can Tree
First we’ll start with the most extreme handmade Christmas tree I stumbled across: it is made from empty Mountain Dew cans!
Perhaps a bit too much work for the average person but you have to admire the creativity and the end result is quite stunning
Next >> Yarn Tree
2. Yarn Tree
Over at Lion Brand they have quite a few free Christmas craft patterns including this one for a yarn tree. No knitting or crocheting required.
This is a small tree but if you have a lot of yarn you could make a bigger one. You could even take the same basic idea and instead of wrapping with yarn, try wrapping with scraps of fabric, old scarves, ribbon or a mixture of several types of fabric and even string to make a fabulously textured tree.
Next >> Wood Tree
3. Wood Tree
Here’s a creative Christmas tree made from plywood. I wouldn’t use real candles on it like they did in the photo (hello fire hazard!) but the tree is kinda cute.
I also found this beautiful pattern for a wood Christmas tree. Check out CraftIdeas.info for the pattern.
Next >> Wine Bottle Tree
4. Wine Bottle Tree
There’s no tutorial for this one but I had to show you this a wine bottle tree (or is it beer bottles?). Either way, wow that’s a lot of bottles!
Next >> Tomato Cage Tree
5. Tomato Cage Tree
Another DIY Christmas tree tutorial I found is this video that demonstrates how to turn a tomato cage (I have tons of these) into a tree. This could be fun.
What about you? Have you decided between a real or fake tree? Or a more alternative version? Continue the debate in the comments below.
Oh, I would totally use real candles on the wooden tree! We put real candles on our fresh tree, and the glow of candlelight is just amazing. As long as you use common sense–e.g., use sturdy clip-on candleholders that keep the candles vertical, light candles only when you’re in the same room, be sure to have a fire extinguisher around (which is something you should do in any season, I think)–having real candles on a tree can be just as safe as using light strings. Maybe even safer (every winter there are plenty of stories of house fires started by faulty wiring in light strings)!
True but I have unruly children and cats that like to climb the tree (the cats not the kids 🙂
So candles are a big no- I don’t even burn scented candles anymore unless my kids are not home (which by the way I pick eco-friendly soy wax and natural scents).
Yeah, I can see how the cats could mess with that whole “use lighted candles safely on the tree” plan!