WARNING: If you are going to read this, you better be ready to suggest which one of these wonderful alternatives I should bring to life!
Sam and I have decided not to have a Christmas tree this year.
A: the plastic ones are bad for the environment, and take up too much room when you store them.
B: I don’t want to spend hours picking out tree needles out of my wooden floors.
Now guess which reason was mine and which one was Sam’s! Now no tree doesn’t mean no Christmas, it simply means more space and less fuss. Plus Jesus wasn’t born under a Christmas tree, but a Christmas star instead. This is where my religious side is kicking in, so before I say something that will require an “Amen” as a reply, let’s check out our alternatives:
1. Wall Tree
Not necessarily a flower, but a definite space saver!
Plus this tree is really easy to personalize! Definitely an option!
2. The Cardboard Tree
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and make a Christmas tree out of some old box!
Too bad this option only has 4 sides to offer!
3. It doesn’t look like a tree unless you take a closer look Christmas tree
Now you see it, now you don’t! Did the owner intentionally turned his shelves into a tree, or does he need some bookends for Christmas?
4. Anything that can be decorated and has a cone-ish shape kind of tree
Think tripods, think ladders, think wigwams!
If we keep the list going, I’ll be willing to turn my IKEA drying rack into a tree! It has the perfect “branches” too!
5. Bouquet Christmas tree
I think this one is the number one favorite of them all, easy and simple! Plus I already have a vase!
6. Sewn Christmas Tree
These trees aren’t prickly at all 
I remember actually sewing a tree back when I was in highschool. I stole an idea from one of the Russian designers who was on TV that day. Too bad I don’t have a picture of that masterpiece to share on here!
7. Crochet Christmas Tree
Sewing isn’t the only art form that I mastered, crochet Christmas trees should make a come back this season!
8. Let’s pluck a pillow Christmas Tree
Thank you Martha Stewart for this fab idea!
9. For Beer lovers
I knew I should’ve bought beer in bottles!
10. Why get a Christmas Tree when you can be a Christmas Tree!
Merry Upcoming Christmas Charlie Browns, love you all!
Xo,
ZhenyAH!
December 29, 2011 at 10:25 am
The beer Xmas tree must be my favorite, followed closely by the wall tree (love the colors) and the sewn one (nice fabric). Have happy holidays
December 16, 2011 at 9:21 pm
I really love the wall tree. Looks complicated though. And I am no fan of complicated. That and I couldn’t hang a non-crooked picture frame if my life depended on it.
The ladder looks fun, easy and creative.
-Elba
December 5, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Awesome post!!!!
December 5, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I love the ladder covered in lights!
December 4, 2011 at 4:55 pm
The first christmas tree on the wall is fantastic! I love that concept x
December 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm
That’s the one I chose, check out my latest post!
December 2, 2011 at 10:06 am
Have you considered hanging you ornaments from the ceiling using fishing line? You could vary the heights, and create a sort of floating tree. It would give the feeling of a tree, without all the mess, and you’d still be able to put your presents underneath. Dang. Now I wish I’d come up with this idea for myself!
December 2, 2011 at 9:54 am
I love the beer tree! My bf would love that but it wouldn’t last time Christmas. I definitely have to consider doing a table arrangement for our holiday party like that.
I also love the table arrangements or a small plant-able tree. My mom’s friend had a Norfolk pine that she dressed up. I also saw you liked my post on holiday green arrangements. It’s very easy and they stay lush if you keep them watered!
http://www.amazon.com/Norfolk-Island-Pine-Indoor-Christmas/dp/B000XAO8K0
December 1, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I’d definitely say number one because as you said, it takes up no space besides part of a wall and has the most amazing chances to be extremely personal
December 1, 2011 at 9:23 pm
#1 is so chic and creative, and you could do so many things with it! Plus, can you imagine how cute it would look with gifts lying underneath it? I’m searching for wall space as I write this..
December 1, 2011 at 4:47 pm
If I had the skills, I would totally go for the fabric, sewn tree. Visually, I love the artwork tree on the wall. And you could do so much with color!
December 1, 2011 at 3:27 pm
#1 is my favorite! We are always so anxious to take our tree down every year because of the space factor. I think I might need to convince the hubby that something like this is the way to go this year!
December 1, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I am leaning to #1 too, but I think I am going to arrange everything on a cork board instead of the wall
December 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Hey! Thanks for “liking” my Snowflakes post. I found my way to your blog and have to say that the ladder suggestion doesn’t really fit the “space-saving” strategy. The winner (by a landslide) is #1. Doing this with loved ones could be really special, too. And as long as ideas are getting thrown around… how about a disco ball? 1.) Jesus was born under a star. 2.) It takes up no space and has no clean up 3.) You have an excuse to buy a disco ball! And then you OWN A DISCO BALL. Just a thought. Best!
December 1, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for stopping by and all of your recommendations! xo
December 1, 2011 at 3:11 pm
The ladder idea is probably the best idea I never thought of. The bouquet tree would have to be my second favorite.
December 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I love it too, but I don’t have a ladder! I have an idea that I want to bring to life using a cork board and some decorations.
December 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Cute ideas! I think #4 is my fave
December 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I like #4 too!
December 1, 2011 at 11:43 am
Oh my goodness! These are all so cute! I loved the book Christmas tree
December 1, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I also think it’s great! I would kinda feel bad for the books though, wouldn’t want to bend them too much
December 1, 2011 at 10:55 am
The wall tree is so pretty! Does seem like a bit of work, though. An alternative could be to draw a tree on the wall with chalk – I’m probably doing that this year.
December 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm
I think I might go for a modified version of the wall tree though
I wish I had a chalk board!
December 1, 2011 at 10:39 am
I was just having a conversation with my friend about this! I have a little one crawling around the floor this year and I don’t want to keep taking needles out of her mouth, but I also want something eco-friendly!
My faves are the wall art and the bouquet! I might also have to recreate the Pin Meg left in her comment above!!!
December 1, 2011 at 6:40 am
We have had a alternate Christmas tree our whole married life. It started when we were broke and had to count our pennies. It became our family tradition. I posted it last year: http://aprilsewingjournal.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/merry-christmas/
Great post. I like the wall art the best.
December 1, 2011 at 3:20 pm
I think we might be starting a new tradition
December 1, 2011 at 1:47 am
I like bouquet christmas tree. It’s close to a real tree
December 1, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I agree!
December 1, 2011 at 12:06 am
haha crazy! I was just thinking about this actually. So not a fan of fake trees yet our apt. is hardly the place for a real one (we have wood floors too…plus it’s a studio so unless we want a Charlie Brown tree it’s looking like no tree for us either). I’m thinking white lights, hanging some ornaments from string on the windows, and maybe putting some pine branches on the mantel (aka bookshelf) with some candles to bring out the seasonal cheer!
December 1, 2011 at 12:17 am
p.s my vote’s for the bouquet! – or this: http://pinterest.com/pin/600935129/
November 30, 2011 at 11:25 pm
The crochet christmas trees are awesome! Do you have a pattern/link to a pattern for those?
December 1, 2011 at 3:21 pm
No, but I am going to try and find one
December 1, 2011 at 4:50 pm
found the pattern! but you have to buy it:
http://planetjune.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_20&products_id=98
December 1, 2011 at 10:58 pm
I am sure we’ll be able to find one that’s free! I will look on the Russian web sites.
November 30, 2011 at 10:53 pm
I like the wall tree and the book shelves tree!
Ally
November 30, 2011 at 10:09 pm
I really like the ladder one the best