Happy weekend after Thanksgiving everyone! Are you still stuffed? We had a lovely day in NY with Sarissa’s in laws and way too much delicious food. Friday the weather was perfect for biking, so that’s just what we did for two hours and hopefully burned off some of the yummy creamed corn and sweet potatoes.
Now it’s time to focus our attention on Christmas, and what would that be without a tree? Decorating the tree has always been my favorite part of the holidays. In our former home, we had a great spot to display the tree. It was located in our family room which had lots of windows, and when you would drive to our house when it was dark out you could see all the twinkling tree lights from a distance, which made it appear a lot bigger than it was.
Now that we’re full time at the cabin, we don’t have a good indoor spot for a tree, so I was thinking about alternatives and came across some truly creative ideas I thought I’d share.
Do you still send holiday cards to friends and family? Every year we seem to receive less and less in the mail, but here’s a great way to display them in case you’re still getting lots of cards.
This tree, made with different sizes of PVC pipe, looks like it’s mounted on a board which makes it practical because you can use it year after year.
These vintage boxes create an interesting ‘tree’. I could see doing this with vintage luggage also, and instead of a globe, you could top it with a star, angel or whatever suits your fancy.
I never would have thought to use wall decals, but what a great idea!
Source
Look closely. This is a ladder! So creative and fun, don’t you think? Check out the link for the how-to.
These small cut pieces of logs make a unique nature inspired rustic tree.
This tree started out as a drawing on the wall, but with the addition of a few decorations, quickly turned into something much, much more.
Source
Here’s something perfect for a beach house. Gather driftwood and decorate with shells and other beachy objects.
I love this idea! Cut a piece of MDF into the shape of a tree, cover in felt or velvet and decorate with your favorite ornaments.
Ok, so this one might be a little bit of work, but worth it! I envision lots of potential for this project.
Many years ago we had two Christmas trees but I found it to be a lot of work and quickly went back to just one, but I could see having a traditional tree and maybe incorporate one of these in another room like a bedroom or even kitchen for a little bit of fun and whimsy.
In other news…
Sarissa and Josh are heading back to Singapore today, boooooo, and we’re getting busy planning our trip to Florida, yeeahhhhh!
I still have some awesome table designs to share with you from the Set to Celebrate event I went to a couple of weeks ago, and this Monday I’ll be going to the botanical gardens to volunteer to put together some wreaths for their annual fundraiser. It’s something I’ve done for the last four years and it’s always lots of fun to see the beautiful wreaths all the other volunteers create, and I’ll be sharing those with you as well.
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Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
My oldest left this morning …you and I were probably feeling the same feelings.
In this little bungalow I have had to settle for small table top trees and every Christmas I still miss having a big one 🙂
tammy j says
love the happy picture! and the puppy in your arm.
Singapore is just too far away. bribery is necessary. 🙂
can’t wait for the wreath pictures! XOXO♥
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I love those very different versions of Christmas trees!
Brenda
AnnMarie says
I was just online looking for tree alternatives and didn’t see any of these! I was asking for help in the post I wrote and here you are with a whole bunch of great ideas! You see, we adopted two kittens and one of them is very, very naughty. I just cannot see putting up my traditional tree with precious ornaments dating from the 1960’s on up and then seeing them get broken. My solution is a door tree made out of garland (just for this year!). I hope to be posting about it soon.
Cecilia says
Those are pretty cool. I love the ladder one! Sounds like you had a great visit with your daughter and son in law. Time is always too short, isn’t it?
So, what will you use for a tree?
Doreen says
Hi Cecilia! Well, actually we won’t have a tree. 🙁 We will probably not be home for Christmas,and we are not planning on having any parties, etc. so I am taking the easy way out. I’ll live vicariously through all you creative souls :). xxx
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Your family picture is too adorable. Glad you had a great Thanksgiving. Love all these alternatives for peeps that cannot do a big traditional tree. Some of these are so creative. Love when people think outside the box. Have a great new week ahead.
Kris
Cindi says
OMG, I LOVE that photo of you and your family!
I much prefer such a happy fun photo than one of families stiffly lined up.
You can just SEE the fun you all were having.
😀 😀 😀
Sorry that your daughter had to go so soon
but glad that you did have some time together!
I love all these ideas.
I would say that my favorite it that driftwood one.
Love the white, brown, silver look of it.
(wish they didn’t have the deer on the wall though, I just don’t get why people like that kind of thing. sigh)
otherwise, my favorite.
But all were GREAT ideas!
Thank you!
xoxo
Doreen says
That’s my favorite too, but I’m not a fan of the deer head either. Maybe it’s fake? Hope so. xxx
Lisa says
Love getting these blogs, Doreen. You are so creative and have a beautiful family. Looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Love the decorative trees, specifically the PVC pipe one ;-).
Many blessings my friend! xoxo
Doreen says
So good to ‘see’ you here Lisa, and thanks for commenting. Hope you had a good holiday!
xxx
susan says
Hi Doren – I’m so glad you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family – that’s a great photo of all of you.
Love the selection of alternative trees you chose, especially the one made from the ladder. We do one average size fresh tree and keep it simple. No themed tree for us – same ornaments we’ve been hanging for the last 100 years!
Cindy says
Hi Doreen, many happy faces in the family photo. It must have been wonderful for you to spend time Sarrissa. It must be hard to see her for such a short time. I’m playing major catch up with emails, way behind!
Great photos, all pretty cool. Two are my favorites, the pvc and the wood pieces.
Have a super time making wreaths sounds fun and a special thing to do.
Have fun planning your trip.
Cindy
Jane says
Love, love, love all of these trees. Wow, there is so much creativeness out there. I love the ladder and wood sculpture-like trees the most.
I absolutely love the picture of your family on Thanksgiving, how fun! Being surrounded by family and friends is what it’s all about.
Can’t wait to hear about your getaway plans!!
Jane x
Kimberley says
Hi Doreen,
Loved all of these trees, but especially loved the ladder tree and the driftwood tree, so pretty!
I still do up Christmas cards and send them, I do notice that being on the receiving end they are getting less each year, but I still persevere and send the same amount out every year…I still love sending them and for me is more about the sending than the receiving.
What a cute family photo, love how the dog got in on the photo too! 😉
Kimberley
Rose L. says
My favorite is the one to hold cards! i think I will make it!
Red Rose Alley says
These are wonderful ideas, Doreen; so creative and some are whimsical, which is my cup of tea. That ladder is something else. I would have never thought it was a ladder until you mentioned it. Yes, it seems like we get less and less cards each year cause everything is on the computer, and I love handwritten cards and notes. Jess would love that vintage luggage idea, as she collects suitcases of all kinds. And I loved everything about the first pictures, as my favorite color is Purple.
This is a great picture of all of your family. I think it would be a cute Christmas card to send out. : )
December is upon us, and let the Christmas season begin!
~Sheri
Leslie Clingan says
Hey! Stopping by and adding your blog to my Bloglovin’ feed after meeting your today at the webinar. Love this post, girlfriend. Love you blog. So many great alternative tree ideas here. My Prince Charming (PC) isn’t much on Christmas and really dreads when I start digging in the closet for my decorations and tree. Wonder if he might be more receptive to one of your adorable options above?
Looking forward to doing some link-ups and collaborations with you in the very near future.
Have a quiet Monday!
Vicky Hunt says
These are all great ideas! I especvially love the wooden boxes and the driftwood trees. Have you seen one created from books? It is really beautiful too. I tried it but didn’t have enough small books to make it look right. Prayers for safe travels for Sarissa and her hubby. Happy planning for Florida! Looking forward to seeing your wreaths too! Have a great week
Hugs, Vicky
Debbie from MountainMamaOnline says
What fun ideas, Doreen!!! And I adore that photo of your family – what a gorgeous bunch you are!!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Loving all of the tree alternatives!…They are so beautiful and most creative….now off to decorate my tree! Have a great day!
Jemma says
Doreen,
Love this photo of your gang!
Great inspiration for decorating using alternative Christmas trees, I may be using one of them while we live
in a Hotel! Thank you for this timely post!
Enjoy your wreath making, sounds delightful to me:)
xx
Jemma
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Doreen you obviously had a great time for Thanksgiving by the looks of that photo. These trees are wonderful alternatives. I was really surprised by Donna’s tree … never would have guessed there was a ladder under there. Are you going to the New York Botanical Gardens by any chance? One of my all time favorite places in NY!!
Doreen says
I was surprised by that one too Mary.
No, not the NY Botanical, the Berkshire Botanical. I’ve got some pics on the blog somewhere from the NY Botanical when we went in the Spring. This time of year is nice to go as well. They usually have a toy train exhibition that’s very pretty to see.
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
I’m so happy you had a great Thanksgiving, Doreen! I love the group selfie. My family and I did one very similar. Those are so much fun. I like some of these ideas for Christmas trees. I already have my tree up but I like one of these ideas for my office at work. I can’t wait to see the wreathes you create. 😉 xx
Benita says
I love these different trees! Something for everyone’s taste….and so creative! There is no written law that says you have to have a traditional Christmas tree for the holiday!
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Such great ideas!! Some folks are just so stinking creative, aren’t they? Hey wait, I’m talking to one of them. Lol 😉 That ladder was so impressive to me – would never have know that’s what it was if you hadn’t mentioned it.
Can’t wait to see your decorations dear Lady! Sorry about your beautiful daughter having to head back already. The time goes too fast when you’re having fun!!!
Blessings on your week Doreen! xoxo
Mimi says
Hi Doreen. Keep neglecting to visit you! Love that tree made from old vintage trunks! Enjoy Singapore. We LOVE it there. Love Mimi xxx
rue says
Those trees are all pretty cute 🙂
Love the pictures of your family, but the one in this post is especially sweet. I’m glad you got to spend Thanksgiving with Sarissa and Josh. I know how excited you were to see them.
No tree for you? You need to at least get a table top. Just saying 😉
xoxo,
rue
Julie says
Hi Doreen, so glad you had a nice Thanksgiving. I love the Christmas tree inspiration.
Enjoy the week and weekend.
Julie
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
There are some awesome ideas, here, Doreen! I really like the one on the wall with the lights. and the one with the PVC pipe. Hope you had a wonderful time with Sarissa and Josh, and hope it’s not too long till you get to see them again. Have fun planning your Florida trip!
Feral Turtle says
Fantastic tree ideas! How wonderful you had a family filled Thanksgiving. Sorry to hear your daughter is headed back to Singapore but definitely looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful wreaths. Have a wonderful weekend Doreen!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I loved the inspiration in this post. I have a small Cottage and a small car and I find the idea of an “alternative” tree more and more appealing each year!