Alternatives to Christmas trees?

[mrsmiggins]

I love having a tree in a pot, but is anyone having something instead of a Christmas tree this year? Like a foliage display, etc?

[Flo]

There's the old fallen branch off a tree "planted" in a pot and decorated - frost, snow or whatever from a can, anything artistic that takes you.

A single large enough holly branch with berries can be fun to work with as well.

Better something real though than a tacky plastic copy don't you think?

I have seen a black and white plastic tree this year which was just a bit too much - ring of black plastic branches, ring of white, ring of black. Not totally tasteful even wearing a Newcastle scarf - might look better with a Sunderland one to improve the colour scheme.

Not a good idea round here mind where babies are born into Newcastle PJs from birth.

[Cloud]

We bought one of those 'tacky plastic' think some while back. On balance I think it was a good investment - saves vacuuming every other day at least and it will probably last us a life time. Although ours is rather more tasteful then those zebra trees.

I like real trees, and would not but another plastic one. Now I'd like to be more 'creative', perhaps and deck the house with holly and ivy, etc.

Last year our neighbour had bright blue plastic Christmas 'trees' along on top of his porch, and left the light running all night - it was like living in Times Square. Same neighbour asked us to cut down a 30 year old tree on our garden to stop the leaves falling over his paving.

I'm on the look out for mistletoe, but don't really know when to look (other than the shops). I'm growing holly and ivy in the garden, but might need to supplement with other foliage. I'm on the look out for red beads to use a fake berries - the holly has none.

[Shirley]

I used a bamboo wigwam last year - right shape but didn't have the needles. Still, I reckon it looked pretty good when decked with lights and baubles etc and had a use in the garden afterwards.

[Thomzo]

I've got one of those obelisk things that you grow clematis up in the garden. It's covered in lights and tinsel and baubles. After Christmas it can go back to it's normal job.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

My village is one of the few that doesn't have any Xmas lights, but decorates with bunches of branches/twigs sprayed white with shiny bows on them. It looks very pretty (in daylight!) and hopefully if it saves the commune a few euros in electricity it will come back to us homeowners in lower taxes! (I wish!).

[sleepyowl]

I'm on the look out for mistletoe, but don't really know when to look

Ash, oak & apple trees are its usual habitat, we havw some in a tree down the end of our road & we are only a stone's throw away from the town centre.

We are having cats that poop tinsel, but we don't put up our decorations until Yule (on Pagan principle that is when I'm supposed to decorate the house so that is what I'll do)

[Millymollymandy]

Willow and poplar too. This part of France is just dripping with mistletoe and the French don't use it to decorate with or for any kissing traditions.

[Green Aura]

Maybe they don't need an excuse

[Millymollymandy]

Well everyone kisses all the time for hello and goodbye but thankfully it's not THAT kind of kissing!

[Green Aura]

I don't know what you do under the mistletoe MMM - but as the last time I got caught under it was by a rather lecherous old uncle I can assure I don't kiss like THAT either

Funnily enough I've never had any in my own house!

[Milims]

The traditional thing here was a Mizzletoe. It's basically 2 hoops joined one inside the other at right angles and decorated. What ever is put on it has to stay there until 12th Night - there's a joke about a man wanting to hang his pit clothes on it!

[Cloud]

I'm on the look out for mistletoe, but don't really know when to look

Ash, oak & apple trees are its usual habitat, we havw some in a tree down the end of our road & we are only a stone's throw away from the town centre.

Unfortunately we don't have much oak around here, and the crab apples that I've seen showed no sign of it in September - I'm sure I would have noticed when when were collecting them to make jelly. There is birch wood nearby, I ought to look there - I think I've seen some ash on the edges.

If I find some I must save the berries and try to grow some of our own in the more local trees, for next year.

[indy]

I know I'm a baby at heart but just can't resist a tree, but definately real! Also use a lot of holly and ivy

[red]

I know I'm a baby at heart but just can't resist a tree, but definately real! Also use a lot of holly and ivy

me too

but our tree is local, and we cut it up and burn it afterwards. and the holly and ivy from our field.