The Complete Christmas
Collection
Christmas Recipes, Crafts
and Kids Activities and xmas stories. Ten
Alternatives to Cutting Down a Tree for Christmas
First, congratulations.
As
someone who is considering an alternative to the cut Christmas Tree, I salute
you for having a mind that is open to creative possibilities! Here are Ten Alternatives
to Cut Christmas Trees, with some direct links to for each option whenever possible.
I hope you enjoy creating a new tradition and welcome you to the special group
of folks choosing against a cut tree.
1. Instead of a cut Christmas tree,
try a living tree, in a pot.
A living tree isnt thrown out after Christmas,
and can continue to oxygenate your surroundings making your air quality better.
If you choose to plant your living tree outdoors in your yard or garden after
Christmas, youve now added value to your property and beautified your surroundings.
More on how planting a live tree helps the planet at this link: http://www.joytotheplanet.com/3/default.html
Your local garden store or nursery is a good first try for locating a living Christmas
tree in a pot. Or, try these links for more possibilities. http://www.davisfarms.com/products/index.cgi
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_trees_shrubs/article/0,,HGTV_3643_1383646,00.html
2. Instead of a cut Christmas tree, try designating an existing outdoor
tree as your Christmas tree.
Perhaps you have a lovely tall evergreen in
your front or back yard. Choose one and give it some energy efficient lights set
to a timer, and let your Christmas tree shine in to your living room. Your hardier
ornaments and even popcorn garland also work nicely outdoors...and attract birds
too.
3. Instead of a cut Christmas tree, try an inflatable Christmas tree.
Inflatable
trees are reusable and a treat to put away after Christmas, since they collapse
into the size of a small bag once the air is released. With the potential for
many decades of use, the inflatable tree can be used indoors and out, and inflates
with a simple pump. No watering, and kids love these! Inflatable tree options
are increasing, so check with your local Christmas store for details. Otherwise,
these links may prove useful: http://www.brandsonsale.com/inchristre.html
http://store.yahoo.com/gsdotcom/christre60.html
4.
Instead of a cut Christmas tree, make your own tree.
Making your own Christmas
tree can become a great tradition especially if you get the whole family in on
the fun. What recycled material will you use this year? When you succeed in building
an especially great tree, you can keep it and reuse.
The only rule here
is: use your imagination. How about a beautiful clear tree made from used water
bottles, or a wooden tree from scrap lumber? Empty egg cartons, old computer parts,
any kind of "junk" in your blue recycling bin can be made into a cool and unique
"tree." Talk about your true meaning of Christmas!
5. Instead of a cut
Christmas tree, use a Christmas tree wall hanging.
Christmas tree wall
hangings are a new, and awesome alternative to cut trees. Simple to hang and ultra
slick to store, these are works of art that can even sometimes be lit. Have a
look at the sample photo and click the link to find the only source - so far -
that I know of. If anyone else knows of another supplier, be sure to write me!
http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?a=a&pcd=4402705&prd=6408407&ccsyn=117
This is another super choice if your Christmas involves kids.
And
oh yes, theres always the option of making your own Christmas tree wall hanging,
if youre handy with a needle. Try this link to a pattern and some advice...
http://www.edmontonsewing.com/pr_countdown.html
The tree shown at http://www.joytotheplanet.com/images/kid.jpg
is small and perfect for small spaces. A full size tree is also possible by altering
the dimensions of the pattern.
6. Instead of a cut Christmas Tree, try
a (non-plastic) artificial tree. Your typical artificial Christmas tree (found
by the dozen in stores all over during the Christmas season) is made from PVC
or plastic based materials and are actually NOT a good alternative to the cut
Christmas tree. Unfortunately this is because of poor manufacturing processes
of those trees that cause a great deal of damage to the environment through pollution,
chemicals and waste.
So when we recommend an artificial tree in this list,
its only carefully. And heres an example of a fake tree that passes muster, and
is really rather elegant too. Reusable forever, this is a fabulous tree to pass
down from generation to generation as you solidify yourself as a No Cut Tree family.
Set the lights on a timer and way you go. This is also a sharp tree for business
offices that often go the PVC tree route. All you office managers, stop! Before
you commit to one of the plastic trees, see if you can do better for the air quality
of the office. Your staff will thank you...
Available in specialty Christmas
stores, and at this link: http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?main=departments&act=d%2C1922&pcd=4402579&ccsyn=117
7.
Instead of a cut Christmas tree, try a bonsai or miniature evergreen tree.
Especially
if your space is limited, or you just adore small, miniature evergreen trees are
a readily available alternative to cut Christmas trees. They last a long time,
and again, because they are living trees, using them or Christmas will help the
planet immensely. Remember, a cut tree is a dead tree!
Visit online retailer
Red Envelope for more information about the Mini Cypress Tree or Rosemary Tree
http://www.redenvelope.com
8.
Instead of a cut Christmas tree, sponsor the planting of 15 or more live trees
in a damaged ecosystem.
Those of you who read the regular issue of Joy
to the Planet (88 ways to enjoy life AND help the planet) know I am a big fan
of planting trees. And doing so for Christmas is a truly perfect choice. In the
face of the millions of trees that are cut down for Christmas, PLANTING 15 or
more, for US$15, is a bold and brilliant statement worthy of celebrating.
The
non-profit organization American Forests makes it simple and easy to do. Just
click the link and consider hanging a Christmas wreath beside the certificate
they send you as thanks. http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/holidays.php
9.
Instead of a cut Christmas tree, decorate a completely different kind of household
tree or plant.
In Hawaii, the Christmas tree of choice is actually the
Palm tree, and the family at this link http://www.joytotheplanet.com/images/ripebanana1.JPG
chose to honor their banana tree with ornaments this year. (Thanks go to Tom Elliots
Alternative Energy Information Centre for the photo and inspiration.) What living
room plant or tree can you dress up? 10. Instead of a cut Christmas tree in your
house, stop and make a point of enjoying all the Christmas trees that are already
out there.
Have you ever stopped and noticed how many Christmas trees
- artificial, cut, potted, inflatable, outdoor, what have you - you walk by every
December? Last time I was out, I counted more than thirty!
So this year,
instead of cutting down a Christmas tree for your own private viewing, why not
take a moment and enjoy the many trees that have been decorated with care out
there? Whether it be at the mall, on the Christmas television special, in magazines,
the Internet, or the one in your friends living room (until next year, when you
convince her not to get one!). Theres plenty of tree to enjoy for all of us.
Merry
tree-free Christmas!
Best regards,
Andrea
Andrea Lee andrea@joytotheplanet.com
To sign up for Joy to the Planet, the ezine that shows you how to enjoy life AND
help the planet, just visit http://www.joytotheplanet.com
for more information. Its fun, and free! Note: Although we have carefully researched
the various links above, we cannot guarantee the quality or availability of products
purchased from other companies. Please inquire directly with the respective online
companies for pricing, warranty, and other detail. Thank you!
JoytothePlanet.com
2003 Andrea Lee. All rights reserved. Questions? Write to help@joytotheplanet.com
Andrea Lee is
former General Manager of CoachVille.com, Small Business Coach and multiple online
business owner. To reach her, visit www.andreajlee.com or email andrea@andreajlee.com
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