Little factoid: I haven’t bought a Christmas tree since December 2008 when my last roommate and I negotiated on a “damaged model” from the Boy Scouts. Shameful. Living alone in the house, working and commuting 50+ hours a week, and then celebrating holidays out of town, a pricy tree never felt like it was worth the investment. (That’s why I always decorated my house plants.)
This year’s different. Both both Pete and I are working at home, and that makes it feel worthwhile to put a little effort into decorating (early in the season too, so we can enjoy the sweet smell of pine to the max). At heart, I’m actually an “I-want-a-15-foot-tree” kind of girl, which is why this year’s purchase, a 4-ft blue spruce, seems rather rogue:
I sought this specific mini-tree out for three reasons:
- It’s rooted, and yes, I’m pretty sure it’ll find its way directly into my garden in the springtime.
- It was $25, which for a perma-tree, felt like a worthy investment (hell, the Boy Scouts wanted $60 for their damaged model).
- I don’t have a bazillion ornaments, and this would be just large enough to hold what we wanted to display without looking barren (I like the overloaded look).
Unsuccessful at finding an inexpensive farm-esque bushel basket, I brought home the barrel you’re seeing from Lowe’s to help disguise the 5-gallon black plastic container that the roots are housed in. I lined the barrel with a plastic tray that I’ve been using to protect my hardwood floors, and wrapped a piece of brown plush yardage from JoAnn’s under the base (sale priced at $8/yard + an extra 25% off, thank you Thanksgiving Weekend). I almost opted for white fur, thinking of that traditional snowy base that’s so seasonally appropriate, but you remember that I also have a big furry dog, right?
When in doubt, buy everything in dark brown.
So rustic, so cute. Gosh, I love that tree.
We’re including a bunch of new ornaments in this year’s tree too. Check back to see which new ones are hung with joy.
9 Comments
Love your tree! Very cute and I bet it smells amazing! We just bought a “fake” tree to last for many years to come.
Thanks Loren – it does smell delish :) Are fake trees scented these days? Or are you smothering yourself with pine-scented candles?
Definitely smothering in pine cones and those darn cinnamon brooms! :)
Very nice…..we haven’t gotten ours yet.
Get on it. And go for a 15-footer.
Cute tree! We spent a shameful amount of money on our 8′ tree from the Safety Patrols at a local elementary school last year. This year we’ll probably go with something a lot smaller.
I’m all for supporting a good cause… but sometimes the high priced options make me just want to get a $19 option at Home Depot. I’ll probably be struck down.
You can buy them rooted? I’m putting this in my mental notes for next year. I had no idea. How fun! :)
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