If you're planning to just throw your natural "Tannenbaum" away when the holidays are over, think again, as there are plenty of useful things to do with your Christmas tree even after it has finished its job of making your house pretty for Santa. It's really such a shame to simply let it go, when there are so many ways you can recycle it to be useful around your home or yard! Just check out these 9 great things to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays and you will surely change your mind about tossing it in the trash.
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Unique Post-Christmas Gift
If you don't have a fireplace or simply don't like to bother with it, maybe you know someone who does and would love to get warm and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate by the fire. So, one of the thoughtful things to do with your Christmas tree is to cut its trunk nicely and tie a ribbon around the trunk pieces. This would make a sweet and unexpected gift for the right persons.
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Support for Your Plants
Consider using the trunk and heavier branches of the tree to support your flower planters. As for the smaller branches, strip them and use the twigs to stake your plants or seedlings.
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Compost
If you have the patience, you can turn your whole Christmas tree in a nice base for your compost pile and thus return it to the circle of life.
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Homemade Scented Sachet
Make a scented sachet filled with pine needles and place it in the bathroom or kitchen to keep the air fresh.
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Make Your Own Coasters and Trivets
If you hate to see water circles, heat damage and stains on your furniture, one of the most useful things you can do with your Christmas tree after the holidays is to make your own coasters and trivets out of it. Cut some thin slabs off the tree's trunk, sand them until they become smooth, and then apply a thin polyurethane coat. The only thing left is to convince your SO or roommate to use the god damn coasters this time!
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Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
Pine Needle Tea
I personally don't really like its taste, but many in my family absolutely love it. If you want to try it out, know that they say it's nutritious and great for fighting bacterial infections. Add about 10 needles for each regular-size cup of tea. I would recommend you, though, to do some in-depth research before making pine needle tea, as some species can be extremely dangerous for your health.
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Fish Shelter
If you have a pond or live near a lake and your tree is not chemically treated, toss the branches into the water to create a great refuge and feeding area for the fish. Find out if you need permission from town officials to do this.
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Edge Your Borders
Cut the Christmas tree trunk into small discs and use them to edge your walkway or flowerbeds.
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Protection for Perennials
The larger branches of a Christmas tree have a natural curve due to which they can be stacked together nicely. You can use this to your advantage and make the perfect cover to protect your plants from icy storms or huge snow drifts.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays. If you use your imagination, you can find a lot more ways to recycle it so that it won't go to waste. Do you have any other suggestions that may come in handy?
Sources:
homesessive.com
thisoldhouse.com
greensinner.com
thereadystore.com
davesgarden.com
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