Don't let the availability of ornaments at Hallmark determine what you can put on your tree. Want a komodo dragon or headless gingerbread man dripping from your boughs? Make one! (Note: this project was a lesson in the whip-stitch for my young friend. We worked on this project together, and she did all the handstitching on the edges.)
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Materials
Tree lights are notoriously nefarious. They get twisted and tangled and knotted, and the bulbs burn and short out. Some folks even avoid the frustration and purchase new sets each year. But with a little planning 'round New Years, your lights can be in perfect shape come tree time.
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Materials
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The plywood "tree," which really consists of four identical CNC-routed planes that fold together when not in use (and for ultra-efficient shipping), may not be quite as festive (and green, in color at least) as a more traditional tree...
I came across these charming ceramic ornaments a few weeks ago, and I instantly fell in love with there playful spacey-ness and simple elegance. $35 for the pair isn't prohibitively expensive, but as usual, I reckoned a DIY attempt was worth a shot.
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Total cost: $0.73, plus a bit of spray paint.
Materials
If you’ve ever folded a sheet of paper and snipped it up to make a snowflake, you’ve done kirigami. Basically, kirigami (from the Japanese ‘kiri’ = to cut and ‘gami’ = paper) is a variation of origami, except the artist is allowed to make small cuts in the paper. Here are two ways to make kirigami Christmas trees. The first is a lovely 3D version. The second, and much easier project, would be a great way to fashion Christmas cards.
3D Kirigami...
Urban Outfitters has a most excellent Christmas tree collection. Here are some of my personal favorites.
Charley Brown’s pathetic little twig of a tree ($24).
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Straight from Whoville is the Whoville tree ($20).
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For the grow-your-own crowd is this Christmas tree that sprouts greenery via a magic potion ($8).
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And finally, for the geek in all of us, the motherboard Christmas tree ($10).
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Visit Urban Outfitters for more variations of the traditional...
The 'it' Christmas tree for '07 is, I'm told, is pitch black. As classic as a black tuxedo or a little black dress? Time will tell; but if I were a bettin' dame, I'd say, 'no'.
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A 6 1/2 foot, pre-lit black Christmas tree from christmastreeforme.com will set you back about $280.
Well, the Curbly holiday posts have officially begun, so thought I may as well solicit the ideas of the Curbly geniuses before the pre-Holiday sales are over
The blue-spruce-alike Christmas tree and cutesy country ornaments and tree skirt I inherited from my family totally clash with my wish-it-was-space-age-modernism decor in our living room. And I love Christmas...I mean love Christmas, so it's pretty problematic, as our tree is up ASAP, and...
Can't beat a classic.
John Vivian offers a basic how-to using a single plank and a bit of rope.
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Have a peep at this "Wood Porn" from Talarico Hardwoods. Unfortunately, it's not a fansite community for dendrophiliacs, or even wooden carvings of sexually suggestive scenes or body parts.
They're big, beautiful pieces of figured hardwood, and it's more exciting than real porn...as there's no exploitation involved. (Or is there?)
So I guess it's a site for eidoxylophiliacs- those who love looking at wood. (Eido, from Oraw- to see; xylos- wood...
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The other day, while cruising the aisles of my favorite Ace Hardware store, I came upon some very Curbly Christmas ornaments: miniature pewter hand tools. At about 9 bucks a piece, they’re perfect for the handyman or handywoman in the family.
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Also available on-line at Gloria Duchin, the tiny-tools include a hammer, wrench, and circular saw, among others.
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I envision a completely DIY themed Christmas tree. And for the garland, strung hex nuts...