Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Oh, Christmas tree

Oh Christmas tree

How lovely are thy branches.

Ah, the Christmas tree.
It can be so lovely...or it can sometimes be a nightmare!

"Hey Griswold, where are you going to put a tree that big?"

Ever bought a tree that looked smaller in the forest and filled up the entire living room when you got home?

Or a time when the tree was brown before Christmas?

How about the time you painstakingly strung the tree with white lights only to realize afterward that the white lights had a white cord?

Or the time the cat climbed up the tree and caused it to sway dangerously, knocking off precious ornaments?

Yep, I have had all of the above and then some.  I guess it wouldn't be Christmas without some sort of mishap?

I have lobbied for years to get a "faux" tree, but I've been shot down every time...but this year was different!

Let the Hallelujah chorus sing!!!!

We got a faux tree!!!!  And it even has lights already done!

I do miss the pine scent, but no more needles, no cursing while strapping the tree on the roof of the car in 0 degree weather (husband), no arguing about the lights (me, maybe?)...PEACE...perfect for the season of Peace on Earth!

Since we are talkin' trees, how about a couple of smaller craft trees you can make?  Check these out...

Christmas Mint Tree

What a clever idea from factorydirectcraft.com

You will need the following:
Striped mints
fiberboard cone
glue gun
Things to do:
1. Start out by unwrapping the mints and disposing of the wrappings.
2. Run a bead of hot glue about two inches long, half and inch up from the bottom edge of the tree form.
3. Press the two to three mints in a row into the glue. Repeat the process until you have covered the bottom edge of the tree, making sure that the tree will sit flatly on a table.
4. Start on the next layer of mints, settling the mints on this row in between those on the bottom for a better fit.
5. Continue with this process until you have covered the entire tree. Finish with a mint on the very top.

Here's another cute table topper.

Christmas Tree Table Topper Decoration

mylittlesliceofbliss.blogspot.com has a very clever idea too!

You will need:

styrofoam cone

circle punches in 2-3 coordinating patterns

straight pins with fancy pin heads in colors that coordinate with the circle punches

Starting with a cone, cover the tree with overlapping circle punches. Use 2-3 coordinating patterned papers. Anchor each circle with a straight pin that has a fancy pin head.  If you can't find straight pins with the fancy head in the color you want, there's a trick.  Paint the head with fingernail polish of your color choice.  Finish off the top of the tree with  baker's twine tied around another fancy pin.  Just stick it into the top of the cone.

Aren't these table top trees adorable and easy too?  A fun project to do with kiddos or just a project for you...sometimes crafting is a great way to unwind.  Besides, I don't think you will have any "Clark Griswold" type issues.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine