Sunday, December 02, 2007

What to do with tree trimmings

We decided to wait another week for our real tree, but before leaving Home Depot, we gathered an armful of free trimmings to take home.

Andrew sighed loudly. "You mean we have to build our own tree, too?"

Not a bad idea, little buddy! If you're still not sure you can make your own wreath, how about filling your outdoor pots with tree trimmings instead?

I clipped the dead summer plants at the soil line. Watering the dirt will help the trimmings stay green.

Kids can help you poke branches into the soil, though you may want to adjust the overall shape. Lower branches can have a mind of their own!

These need red berries, white-washed pinecones, or pale branches for contrast. Until then, I added a 25-cent pheasant wreath with a peachy bow...

...and brightened this basket with last year's ribbon and a fabric scrap. I perched it on an old yellow chair for height.

Southern Living won't be publishing these photos anytime soon, but I'm not shooting for perfection. Free, fast, and family friendly suits us just fine.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neat idea! I've been trying to figure out what to do with my front planter for the Christmas season ... I'll need to get to my local HD! :-)

Lylah Ledner said...

love your creativity....

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Great idea for our front porch! I have an old wheelbarrow that may be just the ticket for the branches--thanks for the tip.

TracyMichele said...

WAIT!!!! Free trimmings!?!? I have never heard of this! For the 4 years we have been in TN I have been discouraged at Christmas for the lack of affordable real trees and wreaths. We used to make wreaths at my MIL's house from trimmings the guys cut down from their forest. This year my mother actually BROUGHT me a wreath from Maine at Thanksgiving and I breathe in that pine every time I open my door (and often I just open the door to sniff). And you are telling me, all this time I could have been making my own wreath with FREE TRIMMINGS AT HOME DEPOT!? You have absolutely MADE.MY.YEAR!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Meredith!!

Meredith said...

At least, it's been my experience that the workers at Home Depot and Lowes are more than happy to let you take an armful of trimmings home free.

It took me seeing them piling them into a dumpster several times before I got up the courage to ask.

They didn't think a thing of it. After all, they have to dispose of those trimmings at the end of the day.

Could you start a wreath making business with their greenery? No.

Should you take more than you need? No.

But if you're simply needing an armful or two, just ask! What's the worst thing they can do? Say no?

bonnie: said...

He's getting so big, and he looks just like you!

aww!

Tamara said...

Good thinking, Meredith! I always ask for extra trimmings at Lowe's, and they're always happy to share. I usually put a few clippings on my fireplace mantle, in vases here & there, and I like to bundle several up for a swag above our bed. I also watch the nearby trees for free mistletoe!

Lisa B. said...

I have been searching for a more affordable source for trimmings also! You can't beat FREE.

Thanks for the tip.

Michele said...

Great idea! I am not at all creative, thank goodness for your blog. You give me so many terrific ideas :)

Kelly said...

We have a fake tree that seperates into parts for storage, and my little guy expressed the same suprise that we would be "building" a tree. This is a great idea, I can't wait to swing by Home Depot.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Thanks for this idea! I had an empty planter on my porch and a bunch of extra free trimmings - five minutes today and it looks so much better!!

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

You are so creative Meredith!

You have that Southern Living touch, I think.

Kimberly said...

I love Andrew's comment. That's a classic! Just skimming through your archives...