6 Natural Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

A fresh-cut Christmas tree can be wonderful for many reasons. Not only does it add a lovey evergreen fragrance to your home, but it also creates opportunities for memory-making around the holidays. Real Christmas trees are also the most eco-friendly choice for decorating, as they will never pollute a landfill with the synthetic materials found in artificial trees. We’re here to help you plan your post-holiday clean up early with 6 ideas on how you can recycle your fresh-cut Christmas tree.

How to Safely Get Rid of An Old Christmas Tree

Curbside Pickup

If your city offers curbside tree pickup, you may have your easy solution at hand. These trees can be processed into natural mulch, which can then be used in your area’s landscaping.

Goat Farms May Want Your Tree

Did you know goats and other livestock love to munch on an old evergreen tree? It’s true! See if your local goat farmer or animal rescue could use your Christmas tree as an animal snack.

Non-Profit Pickup

Some non-profit organizations, like the boy scouts or other groups may pick up your tree for a small fundraising fee. Typically these groups will take your donation and deliver your tree to a landscaper for mulching.

Herbal Pine Needle Steam

Looking for a way to clear out your body after weeks of holiday feasting? Pine promotes relaxation and can help with winter colds, so why not take a few of those branches and make yourself a steam treatment? Simply add a few small twigs of your evergreen tree to a medium pot of water and bring it to a boil. Bring the pot to the table, placing on a pot holder for protection, grab a towel and drape it over the pot, and breathe in the steam for roughly 10 minutes.

Pine Vinegar Hair Rinse

Care for your scalp and hair in the dry winter months by using your pine needles to make this pine-vinegar hair rinse. For starters you’ll need a glass bottle with a sealing, non-metal top that holds at least 16 oz. Add 2 cups of white or apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp of pine needles to your glass bottle. Let the concoction steep in a dark area for 1-2 weeks before use. When it’s ready to go, add 1 tbsp of the mixture to a cup of warm water and use in place of conditioner. Allow it to sit on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing.

DIY Coasters

Need a natural looking way to protect your end-tables from those inevitable condensation rings? Use the trunk of your tree to make natural coasters or other home decor items. Use a hacksaw to remove the branches and cut the trunk of your tree into thin “slices.” Be sure to sand your wooden discs and apply several coats of poly before use to protect the wood and provide a smooth finish.

A Few Tips for Dealing with that Tree

One downside is that natural evergreen Christmas trees do need to be recycled or disposed off quickly after the holidays are over, as a dry tree can be a fire hazard. If you notice dry branches, or showers of falling needles, it’s time for that tree to go. Speaking of which, even if it still looks lovely, a post-Christmas evergreen typically has dry needles. If you just haul it out without protection, you will be vacuuming up needles for months on end. Save yourself the hassle and use an old sheet or tarp to drag your tree out of the house.

How do you recycle your fresh-cut tree? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

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Photo by Irina Kostenich on Unsplash

DIY Holidays: 4 Decorations to Start Now!

The holidays are here and it’s time to deck the halls and put your DIY holiday talents to the test. Even if you’re not inclined to start decorating in November, there are plenty of crafty, fun projects you can prep now. Each of these ornament projects is easy to make, looks great on your tree, and can double as a small present or gift embellishment.

Keep reading for four holiday decoration ideas you’ll love to make and share.

Mason Jar Band Christmas Wreaths

If you’re looking for a quick and easy DIY holiday project, these mason jar wreaths fit the bill. Even if you only keep a modest craft stash in the house, you probably already have everything you need! For this project you’ll need a hot glue gun, mason jar bands, twine, thin white rope, ribbon and any added embellishments you want to use.

Start by adding a dab of hot glue to your metal band and attach your wrapping of choice (such as rope or twine), ensuring you leave enough length to cover the ring entirely. Neatly wrap your band until it’s covered, gluing the end next to the spot where you started. Finish by adding a red bow to the top, some felt holly leaves, and a hook to hang your finished product on the tree.

DIY Holiday Wood Slice Ornaments

For this easy holiday project you’ll need wood slices 2 inches in diameter, black chalk paint, a power drill, twine, and white paint markers. You can purchase wood slices online or at a craft store, or simply cut your own! Start by painting the centers of your slices with the black chalk paint, leaving a thin frame around the outside.

After a few coats have dried and you have even coverage, decorate with a name, holiday shape, or saying onto your chalk paint using a white paint marker. If you’re unsure of your free hand, use a stencil! Finally, drill a hole into your new ornament and add a loop of twine to hang it on the tree or attach it to a gift.

Twig and Ribbon Trees

All you need for this project is some sturdy twigs, green ribbon in various patterns, twine and hot glue. Cut your ribbon into short pieces, but not so short you can’t knot them and tie them onto your twig, leaving at least ½ inch on the bottom for a trunk.

Tighten or double your knots to ensure they stay snug and, using a sharp scissors, trim your ribbon into the shape of a tree, heating the ends to avoid fraying. Finish by gluing a piece of twine to the top to hang your ribbon tree.

Simple Salt Dough Ornaments

This style of making DIY holiday ornaments is timeless and requires few ingredients. All you need for this project is salt, water, flour, ribbon and a few tiny evergreen boughs. Start by mixing your dough using 1 cup salt, 1 cup warm water, and 2 cups white flour. Mix your dough, turn it onto the counter, and knead for 5 minutes, the longer you knead it, the smoother it will be.

Roll out your dough and cut it into shapes with a cookie cutter, punching a hole at the top for ribbon or twine. While still wet, press evergreen twigs into the dough for a wintery, natural imprint. To finish, allow your ornaments to air dry or bake them in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until dry.

What are your favorite DIY holiday projects? Tell us all about them in the comments section below!

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash