Yes - this is a real thing.. being on a budget but still wanting to make the house feel like a winter wonderland. This is our first Christmas together in our house - so this is the first Christmas tree we've had. From what I can tell this demands some basic necessities that we just didn't have. A tree stand, some lights on a green cord, tree skirt, etc, etc. So I'm going to share with you how we did it - without having a tree that looks really bare.
I'm not really a fake tree kinda person. I love the experience of going to the Christmas Tree Farm and picking the 'perfect' tree so your husband can try to saw it down with a handsaw, while the rest of the family stands around complaining because they're so cold and out of hot chocolate. I want the smell pine throughout my house while I wrap presents and watch Christmas movies, and I want pine needles stuck in all my fuzzy sweaters. I want endless watering of a tree that is going to dry out anyway and turn into a giant fire hazard. This is what we always did growing up, and this is what I hope for my family!
So we began by going to a Tree Farm. The address led us to someones house.. in the middle of a neighborhood. The phone number was out. So we drove to another Christmas Tree Farm - one that we'd heard lots about. It was closed. The day after Thanksgiving at 3pm - a big giant "Sorry We're Closed" sign out front. Really?! So... we went to Lowe's. Yep.
We tried to pretend we were at a tree farm.. I even got a picture of my husband choosing the 'perfect tree'.
They had trees for as low as $28, but we chose the $35 one that looked a little healthier. While we were there we picked up a tree stand - since we've never had a tree we didn't have a tree stand hanging out in out storage room. Another $15. Well that was quick! We're already at $50.
We got the tree up and went to hobby lobby to pick up a couple things. Lights. I bought 3 packs of lights for $4.99 each and used a 40% off coupon. It wasn't enough to drown the tree in lights, but gives a similar effect. ;) I also bought some red berry sprigs to stick throughout the tree, they were 50% of $1.59. We're now at {$65.00}.
I glitter sprayed some branched from the back yard in gold glitter.. and also sprayed a giant 'K'. These added a little sparkle to the tree without breaking the budget.
As far as ornaments.. My Mom had bought us one each year growing up - several of which were broken by now - but she gave me what was left! Maybe 10-15 ornaments. I had several glass balls that I had decorated in college, so we used those as well. We got a few Christmas ornaments as wedding presents last year, which helped. And my Mom had a box of 12 small ornaments that were on my Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas Tree when my Dad grew up. That was cool! They are from the 50s, and fit in great with our house! They are super cute hand blown glass, multi colored ornaments. This is about all we had to put on our tree.
Until.. Christmas cards starting arriving! I found a great way to fill in the holes in the tree! It has been really fun having them on our tree because we get to see them all the time. We didn't have another great place to put them except maybe my office, where they wouldn't get seen as much.
I also had 3 'berry wreaths' from last year. They are about 8in. in diameter. I wasn't using them anywhere else in the house so I threw them on the tree to fill up space and they look really cute! They added some color and consistency to the tree. This was one of those things my husband looked and me and thought "What they hell are you about to do with those" about. Once they were up he loved them! He has a lot of faith in me, but often doesn't see 'it' until it's done. ;)
As far as a tree skirt.. I had great intentions. I planned to do the whole large round antique watering tin thing. But I didn't find one in time! Plus that would have just been more cash. We actually didn't use a tree skirt. I got some presents wrapped pretty quick and we just filled up the bottom of the tree with the presents we were already going to be buying! This helped save some $ as well!
We didn't have a tree topper this year either. I really wanted one, but never found one I loved and didn't want to rush it! Maybe I'll find one in an after Christmas sale. For now we just have a big bow at the top of the tree. Since I didn't buy ribbon to wrap the whole tree in this brought in the plaid ribbon that I love!
So there ya go! Our $65 REAL Christmas tree. It's cozy and it's real and we love it. I am so happy we were able to do a tree this year! I plan to buy some things after Christmas this year in anticipation on next year! One day out tree will be too full, but for now, we've used what we've found and is cheap/free!
I'd love to see your Christmas tree and hear about any tricks you used this year! Please share them on our Facebook page!! :))
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