Christmas Tree Alternatives for Small Spaces
Many of us, me included, love a Christmas tree but have no space for one. Here are my top ten ideas to make your home feel Christmassy without a big tree.
1. A small tree
One that fits on a shelf or your coffee table can bring that touch of festive cheer without taking up half the lounge and having to rearrange the furniture. In our household we also have the debate between cutting down a tree, just to have it die in your house, or having a plastic one, when the world certainly doesn’t need more plastic. Previously we compromised with a small second hand plastic one which we saved from landfill. It went to charity in our house move this summer, so I may go for the twig look this year (see no.6).
2. Tree shaped decor
Go for the modern triangle look and hang your Christmas cards, decorations and art prints up in the shape of a tree. If you can’t or don’t want to put extra nails in the wall, hang up a pin board. Can’t source a big enough pin board? Try hanging up a stick horizontally, tie ribbons to it and attach everything to the ribbons.
3. Wreaths
As a child we always had a huge wreath on the front door. I have two wreath prints in my Christmas Collection, and one painting tutorial, which are lovely alternatives.
The two Wreath Prints in my Christmas Collection
4. Bunting
I have three sets of festive bunting that I hang every year between our picture frames. A few years ago my mum made me some from a gorgeous cotton fabric with a poinsettia print and gold lettering which reads Joyeaux Nöel. I also have a string of mini red and green Christmas trees which I knitted a while back. And of course an advent calendar! I love reusable advent calendars and I made a string of twenty-four little pockets - the perfect fit for a chocolate coin or two!
5. Poinsettia plant
As a houseplant lover, one of my favourite ways to feel festive is to have a poinsettia plant taking up pride of place on one of my living room shelves. Not green fingered? Take a look at my poinsettia wreath or ho ho ho print.
6. Twigs
Twigs? Yes twigs. Artfully arranging twigs in a spare plant pot or vase, hung with decorations and fairy lights is a great alternative to a tree. You could spray paint them silver or gold, as shown in the photo below. I know family and friends who actually have theirs up all year round and just swap out some of the decorations during the summer months. Wrap up warm and get out in nature to collect your twigs - there’s nothing better for the soul at this time of year than cozy knits, red noses and the frosty crunch of the earth behind your feet. I’ll be giving this a go this year!
7. Fairy lights
Talking of fairy lights, string them up around your picture frames, along the window sills, around the TV, wherever you like so long as the cable is long enough to reach the plug socket!
8. Vases of decorations
Fill a huge vase with baubles or pinecones and pop it on one of your shelves or as a dining table centrepiece. You can even mix in some fairy lights for that extra festive feel.
9. Candles
Seasonal scented candles with their glow and flickering light bouncing off the walls always make me feel Christmassy. There are so many small businesses out there offering hand poured, soy and other natural alternatives to the standard supermarket offerings.
10. Netflix fireplace and some Christmas tunes
I love snuggling up on the sofa at this time of year in my Chamois & Ibex clothing with an apple and cinnamon spiced tea, some freshly baked ginger cookies, a good book and the Netflix fire crackling in the background. Maybe I’ll wait til December to put on my Christmas playlist though!
