Ten Alternatives to Cutting Down a Tree for Christmas
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 isn't 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, you've 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_138
3646,00.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=64084
07&ccsyn=117
This is another super choice if your Christmas involves kids.
And oh yes, there's always the option of making your own
Christmas tree wall hanging, if you're 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, it's only
carefully. And here's 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%2C
1922&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 Elliot's 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 friend's living room
(until next year, when you convince her not to get one!).
There's 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
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carefully researched the various links above, we cannot
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