How to Repurpose a Real Christmas Tree - Since You Missed the Local Pickup Date

 If you have been enjoying your real Christmas tree, all the decorations and the lights, and then noticed into January that the free pickup and recycle of the holiday tree just drove by....  do not despair! 

How to Repurpose that Christmas Tree for the Winter Months

You can take the tree yourself to parks and designated spots your local township offer for the free chipping and mulching, or you can do this....

1.  Find a sturdy large Flower Pot from the summer months still full of dirt and place your tree in this pot, or a large tote and fill with rocks..

(or failing that wire it to a fence to keep it from blowing away in your yard)

2.  Fill the branches with food the birds and squirrels will love.

3.  Now You have a yard ornament that will keep you entertained until the spring!

Homemade Bird Feeder Ideas

1.  Collect pine cones, and butter them with peanut butter, and then roll in bird seed and hang from the branches and watch the birds enjoy.  This one works really well at attracting birds.

2.  Hang slices of oranges with ribbon to add some color and feed the colorful birds.

3.  Create little feeders from milk cartons and hang in the tree.

Hopefully this has got you thinking....

Failing that you can also purchase affordable feeders online here:

You can make your own or purchase a few to add to your tree. By repurposing your Christmas tree you create places for the birds to hide in the branches and some much needed nourishment for the winter months.

In the spring you can compost the tree or cut it up and use the branches.  It is amazing just how fast the birds will find this instant tree full of food and entertain the family during these lockdown times.

Repurpose that Christmas Tree This Year and Help the Birds!

So if you missed the free pickup of trees or simply don't want to cram that tree back in the car and face all those needles again, and you have a yard, then give the above option a try.  

As long as you can secure the tree so it doesn't blow away you have instant entertainment for the entire winter months.  

Maybe this will become your new Christmas tradition!!
 

DIY Wrist Wallet on the Cheap

 If you love the idea of not dragging a purse everywhere, and simply want a place to store your essential cards or drivers license, or a spare mask, then check out this video on making a wrist wallet.

Perfect for out walking the dog, jogging, or anywhere!  

I have decided simple is better, and especially with the winter months around the corner, dragging a purse into the stores all seems a bit unsanitary with the COVID going on.  I figure the less to handle the better. I can even store a spare mask in here.

This is a very simply pattern, and the video is not too long.  

After the Covid...

Once this pandemic is under control and you can put on your dancing shoes and head to parties and clubs, this wrist wallet would be perfect.  No more fears of stolen purses.  You can keep cash and cards in this wallet, it holds a surprising amount.

DIY Gift Ideas?

If the budget is tight this year, then getting creative and making your gifts, can really personalize it.  You can pick fabrics you know they will love, and it will be something a littler different.  Or repurpose clothing you have into wrist wallets.

Not Big on DIY?

If you want this wrist wallet to hold more, such as a cell phone, you can also purchase these online for guys and girls.  Check them out:

I love the idea of the freedom from a purse in many situations such as walking the dog, exercising, at the gym and more.  If DIY is not your thing, there are affordable options above with Amazon.

Last Minute Coworker, Boss or Colleague Gift

 If you are looking for last minute Secret Santa, or Office gifts for your coworkers, boss or colleagues, then your best option is printables.

Printables are items such as quotes that you can purchase, download to your computer and then print.  I found this awesome ETSY shop that offers mostly 8x10 printable quotes.  These won't take up so much ink, and all you need to add is a frame.  DONE!

GOOD VIBES WORD ART

Click on cubicle decor for awesome office, coworker, boss and colleague gift ideas, or just to decorate your own desk with fun and humor, or cheeky advice.  Example:

Funny, Cheeky, Sarcasm Quote

These are mostly 8x10, with lots of different ideas depending on what you like.  Some are more on the cuss word sides of things and others are inspirational and a bit mushy.

These are definitely on budget and there is a sale on right now.  Many people are purchasing printable quotes from this shop for the office, home office, fun, friends, colleagues or coworkers.  

Cubicle Decor Printables

There are many other sections such as bathroom fun, inspirational and more, but if you are looking for work related quotes and prints, then click the above link for cubicle decor and you will find many funny and inspiring quotes.

Match them with your office or coworker personality and you have an awesome office gift, or Secret Santa Gift Idea that is presently under 5 bucks!

With the mail becoming backlogged with this year of the COVID taxing the postal system, printables are a stress free way to get creative fun gifts.

Print on Nice Paper

To make the gift special, once you make your purchase and download the file you can print as many times as you need for yourself or for gifts.  

Try using different quality papers or photo paper, and have fun with thrift shop frames.  These quotes print in any printer.

I have many myself!  I liked them so much I didn't give them as gifts, I kept them.

This Christmas will definitely be different this year, but you can still have some fun.

Enjoy the holidays!