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There's a Better Way to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree This Year

Business Insider — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:20:33 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

Before you toss that scraggly lump of limbs that used to be your Christmas tree on the side of the road, think about recycling it instead.

Plenty of state sanitation departments have guides for consumers on how to discard unwanted trees for recycling, but environmental site Earth911 has created a search-friendly database to help others track down recycling centers in their areas.

"Earth911 is thrilled to see the momentum building behind treecycling. Not only are we supporting local jobs for Americans, but also the reclamation of a valuable resource," said Earth911 CEO Barry Monheit.

So-called "treecyclers" have gotten a leg up with help from big box retailers like Walmart. The store agreed to work exclusively with growers who pledge to attach a tag with local recycling information on each of the 8 million trees they're estimated to sell this year.

"By partnering with Earth911 and tree growers in support of the Treecycle program, we are able to make a smart and sustainable decision for our business" said Amy Bates, manager of Walmart operations support.

So what happens to all those old trees anyway?

They can be repurposed for a host of uses, from wood chippings used in mulch for community gardens to protective erosion barriers for river deltas and wildlife habitats, according to Earth911.

Some cities rely on treecycling to prep parks and gardens for Spring.

For years, thousands of New Yorkers have taken part in MulchFest, a city government-sponsored event that collected and mulched nearly 17,000 trees last year.

Participants are free to take home chippings for their own homes and the rest of the mulch is used to nourish city gardens, according to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

Check out these smart stories on Business Insider:

Rainbow Brights = Christmas Delights!

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:08 PST

If your modern decor doesn't lend itself to the red bows, green trimmings, and gilded accents of traditional Christmas decor, abandon them completely with a rainbow-hued palette of neon brights instead. You'll be surprised by how appropriate this fresh palette feels. The fantastical and undeniably fun effect seems to capture the childlike giddiness that the holiday brings.

Fir-less Christmas Trees to Try

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:13 PST

I do love the scent of a seasonal fir in my living room, but I also understand the urge to experiment with more inventive interpretations of the Christmas tree. I've shown you a few ways to make an artificial tree looks fabulous, but I thought I'd show you options that stray even farther from the artificial fir.

Joyeux Noël

Casa Community — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:00:31 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member stephaniepoli from the Su Casa group:

The black and white tree in my office got a mini makeover this year. I decided to incorporate a little pink and gold. With all the alternative ornament colors I've been seeing I'm surprised that black is still so unpopular. I ended up spray painting the bulbs, then added marabou feather trim. I found the snowflakes in the gift wrapping section at Target. The pink glitter bells and gold bows are from Michael's. For more pics of the glam girly tree, visit my blog Love & Lace.

Have you arranged any holiday decor lately? Be sure to share photos in the Su Casa group!

Be Inspired by the Paris Chanel Holiday Decorations!

Elka Karl — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:45:00 PST

In case you can't make it to Paris to windowshop in person, I thought you might like a peek at the Chanel window that's currently decked out for the holidays. I love the white palette used throughout the window, and the dolls in their little Chanel suits add a childlike charm to the look.

To create something similar at home, use thick tagboard to create the tree. An exacto knife or hole punching tool will help with rendering the pattern, while sharp scissors are needed to create the undulating waves of the tree. You can use the cardboard tube from a leftover wrapping paper roll for the tree's trunk (give it a quick spritz with white spray paint).

To create the backdrop's doily pattern, try using an overhead projector. It will give you the most accurate results. However, if you're artistic or fearless (or both), you can create the pattern freehand. Start with a white wall and fill in the doily cutouts with either pieces of craft paper cut to size and shape or a contrasting paint color in the palette of your choosing.

Pick the Perfect Tree With Our Height Guide

CasaSugar — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 04:05:00 PST

Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers are all eaten, many of you are turning your attention to your Christmas trees. I, for one, plan to go tree shopping this weekend. Before you head into the woods or onto the tree lot, arm yourself with my handy tree-sizing guide!

All you need is a measuring tape and some simple math skills, and this guide will help you pick a tree that's just right for your room. We hope that this guide helps you find your perfect tree.

Roundup: Little Bird Ornaments

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:15:51 PST

From turtle doves to tuxedoed penguins, birds abound in holiday decorating. Better yet, birds belong in trees, making them perfect fodder for ornaments.

Whether you like your feathered friends on the folksy side, such as these Ceramic Ball Christmas Ornaments ($40-100), or in modern motifs, there's a bird ornament to suit every flight of fancy. Check out my picks below.

Fake and Fabulous Holiday Trees

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:05 PST

If you're not thrilled with the idea of hauling a fresh-cut fir into your living room, there are plenty of chic artificial trees that look surprisingly pretty. Just make sure to deck it out with plenty of cool decorations that fit your style, and you're sure to have a fab fake holiday tree. Check out the slideshow for inspiration.

Simply Fab: Designers Dress Christmas Trees For Charity

FabSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:00:22 PST

Clothes might be their forte, but that won't stop fashion designers from trying their hands at designing Christmas trees for charity. The results - as you see from Louis Vuitton's golden delight below - were fabulous. The Christmas trees, which included designs from Zaha Hadid, Louis Vuitton, Miguel Adrover, and Jean Paul Gaultier, went up for auction at Paris's architecture museum last week. These aren't your average run-of-the-mill holiday trees. The designers went all out for their charity contribution and created magnificent marvels. It was well worth the effort; Zaha Hadid’s tree structure reportedly sold for over $61,000!

To see more decadent designer trees,

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Deck the Haus: Chiasso Mod Trees

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:15:22 PST

Is it me or do these Chiasso Mod Trees ($20) just scream Paris Hilton? Or maybe Legally Blonde? I don't really love them (I actually think they're rather tacky). However, with coordinated décor they could have a lot of potential. I also like that Chiasso describes them as "contemporary plastic"—what does that mean? How would you class up these mod holiday trees?