CasaSugar

How-To: Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:18 -0800

Unless you have an artificial Christmas tree or none at all, you'll need to safely dispose of your live tree after the holidays. First things first: Don't burn it in your fireplace! This can contribute to creosote buildup in your chimney, and most Christmas trees will dangerously pop and spark in a fire.

You have several ways to recycle your tree, which I wrote about here.

Beyond that, you have several other options. Most towns offer curbside tree pickup for a few weeks following Christmas. Call or Google your municipal office for info. Many nonprofits, such as the Boy Scouts, offer pickup services for a small donation, like $5. Look out for fliers around town for these services or search for them online. Or, drive your tree to a dropoff recycling center; most counties have several locations. Next year, considering getting a live, rooted tree, which you can then plant in your yard after Christmas!
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How Long Does Your Christmas Tree Stay Up?

CasaSugar — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:30:44 -0800

Some friends take their Christmas trees down on Dec. 26, while others wait until nearly February! When do you take your tree down?
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Midday Muse: Alternative Christmas Trees

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:00:35 -0800

I simply adore this alternative two-dimensional Christmas tree made by All the Luck in the World out of useless but pretty objects she's collected over the years. It's a work of pure genius, absolutely beautiful . . . not to mention mind-bogglingly precise and free of pesky needles to vacuum. As much as I adore this unusual creation, it's got me thinking about how much I'd miss having a live tree if an alterna-tree were all I had. The smell of the needles, the glow of Christmas lights, the tradition of hanging ornaments, though not necessarily a work of art, are all part of the experience that makes me look forward to Christmas. What are your thoughts? Do you have an alterna-tree?
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Which Designer Christmas Tree Do You Prefer?

CasaSugar — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:30:26 -0800

As part of the annual "Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs" charity auction to benefit the Sol En Si charity organization, which helps children and families living with AIDS in Paris, last week the fashion elite gathered to bid on 44 Christmas trees designed by some of the most prominent names in fashion.
Zaha Hadid's white column Christmas tree (left) was the top seller, bringing in about $66,000. The blue and white threaded tree (right) was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Which do you prefer?
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Casa Quickie: An Easier Way to Water

CasaSugar — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:30:00 -0800

If you're dealing with dribbles when you water your Christmas tree, try this tip: simply use a turkey baster! This kitchen tool will help you to aim the water exactly where you want it. It'll also give you an excuse to use the baster outside of Thanksgiving dinner.

Do you have any secret tricks for watering your Christmas tree?
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Casa Quickie: Costume Jewelry as Ornaments

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:22 -0800

I bought this kitschy pink mini Christmas tree for $5 at Polkadot Variety in SF on a whim, thinking I'd display it as-is in a small flowerpot. But when I got it home, I realized the tree looked a little bare. Since ornaments probably don't come that small, I decided to unearth my big box of costume jewelry and use rock star pins, clip-ons, buttons, keys, pendants, and guitar picks as ornaments. I used embroidery floss to create hooks for the pieces that couldn't clip onto the tree on their own. And, I wrapped a set of pearl Mardi Gras beads around it as a garland.
No, it's not the most impressive tree, but it kind of makes me laugh. And, my rhinestone costume earrings add a bit of sparkle.

Guess What Type of Tree This Is?

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:00:17 -0800

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is eight tons and 72 feet tall. Can you tell me what type of evergreen it is?

Have You Decorated Your Tree Yet?

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:00:57 -0800

Some families head out to the tree farm or the neighborhood tree lot the day after Thanksgiving. We usually wait for the first weekend of December to find our perfect tannenbaum. Have you, like 30 Rock's Tracy Jordan, found your tree and decked it out yet? Or are you still biding your time? Photo courtesy of NBC

Love It or Hate It? Black & Spiro Christmas Tree

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Anna Spiro created this Christmas window display for her shop, Black & Spiro, in Brisbane, Australia. The display has a blue, white, and pink color palette and uses old Delftware to decorate the tree, as well as silver bowls and pink roses. I think it's a very festive, imaginative design for a window display, but I can't say I'd recreate it in my own home. What do you think?
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Love It or Hate It? Pink Tinsel Christmas Palm Tree

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:30:45 -0800

Nothing says Christmas like a Pink Tinsel Christmas Palm Tree ($95). Am I right? Mmmm, I love the smell of pink palm in the morning.