“50 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree”
You know the song “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon? Just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. No need to be coy, Roy. It’s a catchy ditty!
What if we wrote 50 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree because we’re all too sad to let it go after December comes and goes? Honestly, there may not be exactly 50 ways to repurpose that lovely pine, but then again, Paul Simon only gave us 5 ways to leave a lover.
Sing it with me, friends.
Drag it outside for a natural bird feeder, strung with nuts and berries, Gary. Plain popcorn is good, too! Lop off branches and use as décor, Lenore. Put those empty summer planters to good use on your front porch. Save and stake garden plants with a branch, Blanche. Use it in your garden for a bird and critter habitat, Uncle Pat.
We’re having fun now! Verse two coming up…
Add pine sprigs, cranberries, cinnamon, and orange slices to water in a winter boiling pot, Scott. I promise these make excellent holiday gifts if you put them in a pretty bag with a ribbon. Steep yourself a mug of pine needle tea, Bea. Or dry out some pine needle potpourri, Lori. Use the dry branches as an outside fire pit starter, Carter. (Be careful, though! Dry branches have a real spark to them!)
We’re on a roll…
Edge your garden with the trunk, Hunk. Burn the logs in the fireplace, Grace. Who doesn’t love the smell of Christmas for months afterward? And save those ashes because pine tree ashes make healthy feed for your garden bed, Ted. Use the trimmed boughs for a wreath, Heath. Make a bonfire outside, Clyde. (not for the city folks!)
Bring it home now!
Mulch outside using the needles of pine, Mr. Klein. Slice the trunk into discs for coasters or Christmas tree decoration gifts, Griff. I can personally recommend this one! The Seitz family saves a disk of our tree trunk every year to become an ornament for next year. Just drill a hole in the top, and add the date with a marker and a festive ribbon. Voila! Sentimental and adorable! Cut into wood chips, Phillip. Donate it to a wildlife sanctuary, Larry.
Friends, should I follow my oldest child’s path and become a singer/songwriter with this gem? If writing books doesn’t pan out, I may have options. Happy Holidays!
Jamie and her family have been saving their Christmas trees for seven years and have tried many of these ideas. One she hasn’t tried is pine needle tea. Maybe this winter, Jamie will brew a cup?
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