Real Tree, Artificial . . . or Other?

When my husband and I came under a strict budget this Christmas we were sad to think that we wouldn't have a Christmas tree. The real ones are often so expensive and artificial ones we found (unless half a foot tall) were equally as pricey. We were going to spend our first Christmas in our new home without a tree!

But if you have little money and an over abundance in craft supplies you can make your own Christmas tree! Rifling through my scrapbook supplies I pulled out all the green paper I had, including some pretty blue printed papers for diversity, and I cut out random leaf shapes. One by one I attached them to my wall in the shape of a Christmas tree using regular old masking tape. Once the tree was in place, instead of adding lights (cause hot electric wires on paper would be a bad idea) I added tiny stickers of stars all over the little leaves. I found old clip art that was festive and added that as well.

When it came time for the ornaments, I simply hung them up on the tree using push pins and a few small nails for the heavier ones. The best thing about this tree is it really comes from the heart and if I take it down gently, I can use it over and over again, and next year add more leaves to make it bigger. A craft project for the whole family!

This post is featured at Family Survival 101