Interesting and Unusual Christmas Trees

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Alternative Christmas Trees

There are many reasons why you might want to skip a traditional Christmas tree and look for alternatives. Maybe you've just moved into a smaller place and there's no room for a tree. Maybe you don't like the idea of cutting down a tree for a decoration; or perhaps you hate the plastic-smell of an artificial tree.

Whatever your reason for not having a Christmas tree, I am here to offer you alternatives--ideas outside the box that allow you to still display your ornaments, but in a new and fun way.

This is a brainstorming exercise for me, and at the very least, I hope to encourage you to think outside the box when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Even if you don't use one of my ideas, amaze, amuse or perplex your friends with your personal and unique spin on decorating for Christmas!

Thanks to Carol Esther for the top photo.
Alternative Christmas Tree Pictures, Images and Photos

A Bottle Tree--An Awesome Alternative 

Look at the way the glass sparkles in the light!

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Friends, here is an alternative Christmas tree that is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold! I give you....the Grolsch bottle tree. I've seen this done in several ways. "Tiers" of bottles stacked like a wedding cake (pictured) is a good option. Make sure you use a glue gun to fasten the bottles securely to their bases. Admittedly, this is a very large Grolsch tree. If you have a small space, consider a 3-tiered table-top model.

Another option is to arrange the bottles as if they were branches. This kind will probably take up more space, so make the one that works for you.

Some things to consider: you can use any kind of bottle you'd like. How about those cute little Coke bottles. Coke has already ingeniously associated itself with Christmas, so that would be an appropriate look.

And the Holiday Spotlight Hits.... 

....The Leg Lamp

An enduring symbol of Christmas reaching brought to light in the 1980s' classic, A Christmas Story, the Leg Lamp shines its beacon of good cheer and holiday whimsy on us all. Who could forget the thrill of the "Major Award." If you're going to decorate this alternative Christmas tree, take care. Remember, it's "Frah-jee-lay."

A Christmas Story 45" Large Leg Lamp

Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

Other Great Christmas Lenses and Sites 

Humorous Christmas Cards
This talented "Freelance doodler" and Squidoo-er offers a great collection of funny Christmas cards.
Funny Holiday Videos
A collection of very funny Christmas and Hanukkah videos. I can't help it; I will never get so old that Adam Sandler won't crack me up!
Yuletide Yuk Yuks
Funny stuff here, people! Polls, funny cards, jokes--you name it; it's here.
Christmas Humor and Jokes
Just what it says: funny holiday anecdotes, poems, jokes, songs. So, lighten up and enjoy the holidays!
Christmas Humor
The Christmas Humor page on Humor Matters. I recommend the Christmas Fruitcake Recipe page. I laughed a lot:-)

The Minimalist's Alternative Tree 

The Festivus Pole

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Yes, that timeless classic, brought to our attention by the geniuses at Seinfeld. Well up as you participate in the emotional "Airing of Grievances." Nothing like heading into the New Year with a clean slate! Wipe drool from your lips as you behold the Pepperidge Farm cake bedazzled with M&Ms. Thrill at the hand to hand combat during the "Feats of Strength." And, standing proud, tall (and skinny) in all of its minimalist glory, behold the Festivus Pole.

Join in the celebration, and discover your own Festivus Miracle.
Festivus Pictures, Images and Photos

An Alternative Celebration Gets Its Day on The Hill 

Look at the staunch bi-partisan support. It's only a matter of time before we get another paid holiday. Get out the pole, people, it's Festivus!
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Alternative Trees for the Crafter in You 

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If you're feeling DIY this Christmas, why not consider making a tree from items that you love? Buy a conical form at a craft store, and glue whatever you want to it. Voila: instant alternative Christmas tree!

Here are some ideas:

  • Glue on small glass ornaments.
  • Glue beads around the cone in concentric circles.
  • Glue on multi-colored gumdrops or those little gold-wrapped toffees.
  • Glue on mini candy canes.
  • Glue on red, green and silver sequins or buttons.
  • Glue on small plastic whistles.
  • Glue red, white and green pipe cleaners.

  • Like I said, use your imagination. The possibilities are endless.

    Here's another craft idea: set up a small tripod using tomato stakes or broom handles. Wrap it with lights and hang decorations. I love it!
    latter christmas tree Pictures, Images and Photos

    In the Market for an Artificial Christmas Tree? 

    Here are some beauties.

    Let's See What Ebay Has in the Way of Christmas Trees 

    Alternative Ones, That Is!

    Use your imagination. They are tall and skinny and will fit easily in a corner. You can add some extra hooks and hang ornaments from them. You can hang your stockings from them, if you find yourself chimney-less this year. Think of the possibilities!

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    How To Build a Beer Bottle Christmas Tree 

    And they said alcohol would make you stupid.

    Decided that an Ode to Alcohol is the appropriate way to express the Spirit of the Season? Or maybe it's how you get through the annual Pilgrimage of In-laws. Either way, here's a fun Yuletide project for you. ("I like making it!" "I like drinking it!" for those of you who remember the old Shake and Bake commercials:-)
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    A Fiber Optic Christmas Tree 

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    An Alternative Christmas Tree Gallery 

    For Inspiration

    Here are some more pictures of creative and unusual Christmas trees. Love them or hate them, giggle at them or be inspired by them--whatever your reaction, I doubt it will be neutral!

    Look at this beauty to your right--a monument to tasteful recycling, it is even red and white (mostly) in honor of the season.

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    A stunning holiday tribute to Black Gold. Texas T.

    tree Pictures, Images and Photos



    I cannot begin to count the ways that this is wrong.

    xmas tree Pictures, Images and Photos



    Sometimes you just have to work with what you have on hand.



    Christmas in Miami?



    Junkyard Wars Christmas Tree!

    How About Some Christmas Tree Decorations? 

    A holiday garland, perhaps?

    No need to stick with the same old cranberry and popcorn garlands. Here are some festive alternatives.

    Multi-Color LED String Lights with Tinsel

    Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    Alternative--and Not So Alternative--Holiday Movies 

    I love movies. I could watch two movies a day every day. My husband generally does not share that same enthusiasm. However, during the holidays, we both like to watch a good holiday movie by the light of our snow-globe snow man.

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)

    Maybe this isn't all about comfort and joy, but nothing makes me laugh harder than seeing Eddie wearing a white sweater with a black dickey drinking egg nog out of Wally World punch cups. Priceless. The Star Spangled Banner might just become your new favorite Christmas song!

    Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    Holiday Inn (Special Edition)

    This is where the song "White Christmas" comes from. It is worth it just to hear Bing Crosby sing!

    Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    A Charlie Brown Christmas

    Classic. Charlie Brown certainly picked an alternative Christmas tree!

    Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    A Christmas Story (Full-Screen Edition)

    I saw this when it came out in the theater. My friend, Nadine, and I laughed so hard that we hurt. Towards the end, a little kid began to cough and sneeze, and the whole theater missed the last couple of minutes of the film. Good times.

    Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    The Holiday

    Sweet and mushy and definitely worth a look. Jack Black underplays his "Jack Black-ness" to great effect.

    Amazon Price: $7.49 (as of 12/20/2009) Buy Now

    Enjoy This Ode to the Iconic Aluminum Christmas Tree 

    Why does have to be a tree be green? Or even made of organic material? Enjoy the swinging Sinatra soundtrack!
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    A Perfect Christmas Tree 

    If you're more in tune with the traditional...

    A Christmas story set in the Appalachian mountains of my home state, North Carolina, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree tells the story of Ruthie and her mom and their struggle to find the perfect Christmas tree for their town.

    Beautifully written by Gloria Houston and illustrated with lovely acrylics by Barbara Cooney, the story exists on many levels, as Ruthie and her mother each discover their own Christmas miracles. A story of traditions and family, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is a welcome addition to anyone's holiday library.

    Vote for The Best Alternative Christmas Tree 

    Don't have room for a tree? Feeling a little less-than-in-the-holiday-spirit? Vote on the best alternative Christmas tree here. Add to it, if you've got a good one!

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    Some Ideas for Alternative Christmas Ornaments 

    Use items you have on hand to decorate your tree.

    I think we've taken a pretty good look at Alternative Christmas Trees. How to build them. Ideas for making your own. Using tall, skinny objects as stand-ins for traditional Christmas trees. So, I said to myself, "Self, why should we stick with traditional ornaments? As long as I'm talking about Alternative, Interesting and Unusual trees, I might as well commit 100%."

    So, here I am, coming to you with some ideas for decorating with items not originally conceived as tree ornaments. Some ideas might be a little "out there," but you might find some ideas that really strike a chord with you. Enjoy!

    Pickle Ornaments, Anyone? 

    They Could Bring You Good Luck!

    One Dozen Hand Blown Glass Pickle Ornaments for Good Luck Trim-A-Tree or Gift Giving

    Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

    There is some debate as to how the Legend of the Christmas Pickle came to be. Regardless, they're Pickles. For your Christmas Tree! And they fit right in on this lens, no?

    Decorate Your Tree with Napkin Rings 

    A little unconventional, maybe, but lovely!

    Lenox Butterfly Meadow Napkin Rings, Set of 4, Multi

    Amazon Price: $30.00 (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

    What a great idea--just slip the rings over the ends of the branches for ornaments that don't even need those little ornament hooks. I can never find them when I need them, and they just end up getting stuck in the carpet!

    Swarovski Crystal Hair Jewelry--For Your Christmas Tree 

    Just clip on the end of a branch

    Blue Radiant Blast Swarovski Crystal Hair Clip Barrette Jewelry

    Amazon Price: $45.99 (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

    Yes, you can wear it in your hair, but how great would this Swarovski hair clip--along with others--look ornamenting your Christmas tree? I think it's time to think outside the box, and find ornaments that won't just be stored in a box 11 months out of the year.

    Silver Ting Instead of Tinsel 

    A fun option for your tree.

    Sparkle Curly Ting, 2 feet Tall, Pack of 50 - Sparkle Silver

    Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

    So, I know it's usually used in flower arrangements, but I think your tree would look so cool with pieces of silver--or any color--ting tucked in between the branches.

    You Put Bows on Your Presents... 

    ...so why not on your tree?

    100 Metallic Gift Star Bows 1" Jewelry Box Gift Boxes

    Amazon Price: $15.18 (as of 12/20/2009)Buy Now

    You probably have a ton of bows lying around the house. Why not put them to work as decorations for your tree?

    Seen Any Alternative Christmas Trees? 

    Have you seen any unconventional, odd or just plain strange Christmas trees? Send 'em in! Just want to leave a comment--feel free; glad you stopped by!

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    by jfield

    Hello, all! I'm Jenni, and I'm happy to be here on Squidoo. I was a Special Education Teacher for many years. Then, I left the profession to go to... (more)

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