Old Tree Reused

There is something that will not let me throw away that first Christmas tree that I ever bought. I was young, and it was one week before Christmas, and as a single mom, I knew my baby had to have a Christmas tree. I scrapped up the last bit of money I had, went to Kmart and bought a Charlie Brown type tree for $8 on clearance.

Even though now I have a great tree (bought in January on clearance of course), I still cannot throw away that tree. It has sit in our garage for years, and somehow made it into the house with the other tubs of decorations this year. After looking at it for a while, I realized I could use this. It was just pieces of greenery, afterall.

So after looking at it for a while, I realized that I could use it like garland. Inspired by Lala's favorite movie (The Nightmare Before Christmas), I turned up the ends of each branch, in a swirl motion. I did four branches, making sure that they would tuck into each other well so that I twisted them correctly. (I think Tim Burton would be proud!)

I swaddled them around a martini glass that holds my favorite deep aqua cracked glass ornament, the only ornament that ALWAYS finds its way into my Christmas decor. My mom bought it for me on a shopping trip, and although I fell in love with it instantly, there was no way I could afford it. It is one of my most prized Christmas possessions. (Of course you could use any thing in the middle that you wish -- something in a martini glass would be best, because the flat base with the tall stem lends itself well. Think small floating candles for a centerpiece -- GORGEOUS!)

Once all the branches were around the glass, I dotted the greenery with little plastic snowflakes.

Who knew a tree could make a table so pretty?

See how other people pull off being frugal over at Biblical Womanhood.