Make this Tiny Christmas Tree for Free

Even the classic, fresh Christmas tree is not immune to inflation. According to CBS News the price of Christmas trees this year has gone up between 5 and 15 percent from last year. This is due to the increased cost of growing the trees as well as transporting them to lots.

Of course, you can always go the fake tree route, but there is something so nice about the smell of a real tree and the feeling of nature inside your home—tiny or not.

I’ve always loved really small or tiny Christmas trees. For the last several seasons I’ve also made it my goal to have it for free.

Create your own tiny, free tree from leftover cuttings.

In case you didn’t know, most Christmas tree lots and hardware stores such as Home Depot that sell trees will give away tree cuttings for free. There is usually a bin or box of them near the tree-cutting area. All you need to do is ask for a few branches or boughs to make your own little “tree”. Some stores even let you dig around in the box to find the best branches.

It’s nice to be able to choose different types of tree cuttings and create your own design. This year I took pine boughs, juniper branches, and cedar stalks to make a unique little tree. I put them into a galvanized metal can from IKEA with some water. The boughs stay fresher for longer than a regular tree.

These tiny trees can still include your favorite ornaments.

Battery-operated lights and a few felt birds and mushrooms create a cute, natural tree for a tabletop. Taller branches can be placed into a container on the ground. The tree can be even cheaper if you string popcorn or cranberry garlands or add pine cones for a natural, handmade look.

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]