Friday, December 18, 2009

Our Five Dollar Fraser Fir



Okay fine. The month is half over but we just couldn't resist decking the halls just a little bit more now that we're home for the rest of the month.
Besides, when I tell you what we scored yesterday, you're going to freak.
I certainly did. So did Kevin.
Heck, even the guy that helped us (lovingly) shove it through the trunk to the front of our mid-sized car seemed extraordinarily excited we had discovered such a fabulously, frugal find! He told us to "have a very Merry Christmas" and to "love each other" as we jumped into our freshly-crowded front seats.
So thanks to the "Damaged Trees" area at Lowes, I present to you- our FIVE DOLLAR Christmas tree...



Measuring in just over 8 feet tall, this elegant evergreen enjoys water, plant food and displaying dazzling decorations. Its hobbies include standing, shedding needles and making rooms smell good.

And simply because our Fraser (and a bunch of other trees just like it) have splits in their trunks, they're all priced to sell for just $5.00. If I had 8 more tree stands, I would've bought a tree for every room in our house!

To create what we're calling our "Gift Box Tree", I used small boxes, like the one below, covered in pages from old books, newspaper, sheet music, brown paper bags and white copy paper. You can use any old box. Soap boxes, eye drop boxes, allergy medicine boxes, cup o' noodles boxes, etc.



They'll all be covered up, so it doesn't matter what kind of box it is. The key is using boxes you already have. See how pretty they look all wrapped up...



Most of the ribbon I tied around them was on clearance at Michaels, so it was very inexpensive and the project only required a handful of rolls total. (A few of the rolls were just 49 cents each!)
I used little green hooks to suspend the gift boxes from various branches.












I used some leftover burlap garland (also from Michaels) around the tree to create a nice swirl of woven texture...



I added touches of sparkle here and there with gold and silver ball ornaments we purchased last year...







I also collected every white pencil starfish I had laying around the house and hot-glued green hooks to back of them so they could be a part of the action too..



Our tree skirt is the same creamy white throw blanket I usually have draped over the back of our chair-and-a-half...



Just like a warm, winter sweater for our fabulous Fraser. :-)

This is the first time Kevin has had a real Christmas tree, so it was an especially exciting occasion for him...



And since I'm addicted to the stuff this time of year, I immediately cranked up the Christmas music so that we could decorate and dance. :-)



Unfortunately, I guess we got a little carried away during Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rendition of "The Hallelujah Chorus", because we broke one of the branches clean off the tree while we were fluffing it. But instead of throwing it away, I seized the opportunity to curl it around the top of one of my galvanized pedestals. It created the perfect nest for the rest of our unused silver balls...





In other Christmas decorating news-
I found a little wooden bowl for $1.50 at our favorite local flea...



...it and my Anthropologie bowl are now BFF's, up on the mantel...



I'm going to do another post tomorrow (and maybe even Sunday!) about the rest of the crafty Christmas creations I had fun making this year. I've got tons of photos, so I thought I'd break up the posts a bit.

For more beautiful-yet-budget-friendly Christmas tree decorating ideas, visit Shannan's blog "Flower Patch Farmgirl". She made a newspaper chain-style garland...



...and trimmed her branches with stencils...



Beautiful!



This post was brought to you by...



Click on the button to read one of the funniest Christmas-related posts on the web.
:-)

57 comments:

Alicia said...

Kevin & Layla,
Everything looks beautiful. I especially love the way you salvaged that broken Christmas Tree branch and placed it in that incredibly beautiful cloche! Genius.

Merry Christmas to you both and can't wait to see more.

Tricia said...

We got our White spruce for $19 and I thought that was a deal. You guys kicked our butts in the fantastic tree price dept. I adore the little paper packages tied up with ribbons hanging from the tree. So cute! Can't wait to see more.

XO*Tricia

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I LOVE the idea of the little presents on the tree! I must try this next year!!
We are doing well, thank you SO much for asking Layla. It's been a rough week, but hopefully better with each day.

Tracy Wills said...

Love the package ornaments, very cute

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

OH and my $90 Fir is totally jealous of your $5 one!!

Emily said...

those package ornaments are so cute! now i want to go to lowes and see if i can get a $5 tree! we're still sporting our fake tree that i am taller than from when we moved in and were in transition 3 years ago...

Emily@remodeling this life

Hopeful Housewife said...

Just beautiful!

Miss Mustard Seed said...

That is a beautiful tree and I love the gift box ornament idea. Great work, as always.

geri said...

Oh Well You have done it again.
Everything loks so beautiful and Christmasey.
I wish we could help everyone who only has 5.00 get a tree for their family.
It would be so fun to drop off all the Loews trees in need of a home on the door step for all those who need a tree for their home.
Maybe a next years project for me.
I am also thrilled to read your how you used a throw for a skirt under the tree.( or sweater)
I am running upstairs to get my Ikea chair blanket to put under my very bare tree.
Merry Merry Everything.
geri.

Renae Moore said...

I Love it! My Fraser Fir was certainly NOT $5, but has all the same qualities yours does! Great idea on wrapping the small boxes and using as ornaments!
Blessings and a very Merry Christmas to the two of you!

Anonymous said...

I am freaking! That would have to the freakin bargain of the year surely? It all looks amazing, those boxes are the cutest! Look forward to seeing the rest of your decorations.
:)

~Grace Happens~ said...

hold up...FIVE DOLLARS?!?!?!?!?!? and it looks like a million bucks! so beautiful layla and kevin!

Katherine said...

Love the mini gift and burlap idea. I may have to do that next year.

Amanda @ Little House on the Corner said...

Wow, what a steal! The tree looks lovely, and your photos are great!

Anonymous said...

Layla in th Houzz...I will be reading you can bet your elf ears on that one! Love the sweet tree too!

alice said...

Kevin & Layla,
That is a darling post! I love all your pictures. I know you will the Merriest Christmas with your "real"
tree! Love your cloche too. I went overboard on my cloches this year.
Smiles, alice

Unknown said...

Oh my...you are sooo talented...no wonder I have you on my Favorite Blog List...you're also very witty and talented at posting. Come check out my Sterling Silver Set Post and leave a comment; you'll be glad you did and I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Windlost said...

Just beautiful!! xo Terri

southerninspiration said...

LOVE it!!! Your well loved tree appreciates you giving it a second chance!!

Suzanne

Kristin said...

I love the tree!! I viewed your great segment on 700 club--and can I just say, WOW!!! I am so inspired!!

Thanks for the great tips!

Kristin

Pony Girl said...

Oh, my gosh by jolly! You two are adorable. I love the $5 tree (I was about to jump out of my car alongside the freeway last weekend and hack down the perfect little tree growing on the median!) ;) I love the idea of wrapping up little boxes, and now I'm so bummed I just took out my recycling, LOL! Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

p.s.original said...

Wonderful! Your 5 dollar tree looks like a million bucks! Love the decorations, the burlap garnish, love it all! Have a wonderful, happy Christmas.

Erika said...

Oh wow, this is all incredibly beautiful Kevin and Layla, and I am sure you guys had lots of fun bringing it about! Have a Merry Christmas in your beautifully decorated home.
Holiday hugs, Erika

Shari said...

What a beautiful tree! I'm heading to Lowe's today! You do a beautiful job, Layla.

Wendy said...

Hi Layla and Kevin!!

What a beautiful tree....but then I'm beginning to wonder if you could do anything that isn't beautiful.

Since we are moving, and it would have to come down before Christmas, I decorated our tree this year with stencils and black and white family photos. It's one of my favorite trees ever!

Have a great weekend!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This was delightful to read and to look at!!!

dmvoccola said...

Just perfect--as always! You never disappoint! Merry Christmas and don't stop decorating until the last second. We love it. ;)

Denise said...

Beautiful as always. We are snowed in at the moment, so I will look forward to more posts. Merry Christmas Layla and Kevin!

Shannan Martin said...

Our trees are soulmates! They go so well together. I am loving your gift box tree. You're ever-full of fabulous ideas. :) Thanks so much for sharing about my newspaper tree. Here's to a holiday of using what you have! *clink*

carolyn said...

Greetings guys!!

Love the tree- there must have been some issue nationwide because our Lowe's tree also has a split in the trunk. We loved the tree and decided to chance it- and haven't had any problems. Sadly, the $5 deal must be a new solution- we paid full price (boo).

Your decorations are beautiful- hope your holiday is the same!

Merry, Merry Christmas!
Carolyn

jo said...

THANK YOU for some great INSPIRATION! I need to get the holiday thing going on at my house!

Kacey said...

love, love, love everything! you two did an amazing job!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's a pretty fab tree for $5! Love how you decorated it - the little gift boxes are so cute. Have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Layla and Kevin -

Your tree is beautiful. I especially like the tiny gift ornaments you created.

Deborah

Sharon@Sharon at Home said...

Kevin and Layla ... it's beautiful. Kevin ... enjoy your first tree ... what a way to start a tradition.

Merry Christmas to you both.

Quinn said...

Very pretty! Love the cloche too....

Unknown said...

Another great idea! A little love and attention made that $5 tree look like a million bucks. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to your other Christmas posts.

Paula Barin said...

Layla, you never cease to amaze me. Your decorating ideas are fabulous. I love the idea of putting little presents on the tree. You have a home made from love.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010!
Looking forward to more exciting ideas in 2010.

Moore Minutes said...

Wow, you scored! Your creativity always amazes me! The gifts on the tree are PERFECT! I love that idea and especially love the newspaper with chocolate brown ribbon, gorgeous. I had so much fun reading this post.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I have been coveting the burlap garland whenever I see it, and yours is no exception!

Its So Very Cheri said...

I have to make some stencils to go with my Lettered ornaments.

I have had so many Google problems-and it isn't over-Google has no idea how to solve the problem.
Sorry I haven't been by much-I decided after weeks and weeks of non-stop Google issues, I am throwing my hands up and making much needed visits.
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and hope you can come by for a visit. I will continue posting, even if it doesn't show up in the Reader.
Cheri

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Layla, only you could make a $5 tree look SO spectacular. Love it all & it's so you. Hope you and Kevin have the merriest of Christmas's this year. xoxo

brockey said...

We also bought our tree from Lowes but not for $5. So pretty Layla you are the bomb @ decorating = :)

Darci said...

Layla-You are just the cutest thing! I LOVE your style and it is such a treat to read your blog! Thanks for some fab Christmas decorating ideas!

Merry Christmas!
Darci

Rachel H said...

That looks really great! You have amazing skills girl! I also had to mention how amazingly interconnected this blogging thing is...Flower Patch Farmgirl and I went to the same TEEENSIE Tiny highschool in rural Ohio, only one grade apart growing up! What a small world, huh! Then- I read your blog, and hers...and then now I realize you read eachothers too! So fun!

Roeshel said...

It's beautiful! I could look at a pretty glowing Christmas tree all day long. Great job.

Unknown said...

I love the small box ornaments. What a terrific idea!

HeyMiemie said...

Gorgeous!

Amanda said...

I think someone has a whole year to collect random little boxes for a 'gift box tree' for Christmas 2010. And by 'someone', I mean moi. :)

The Chenowiths said...

Beautiful & great ideas!!! Can't wait to see the others :)

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna said...

your tree is just GORGEOUS! i especially like the idea of using print from old boods and news papers. do you save your boxes all year round for your tree? what a great idea for trimming.

and it looks like so much fun!

kelly

p.s. here's satchel wrapping some of our prezzies... http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com/2009/12/brown-paper-packages.html

Blue Creek Home said...

Lovin' the $5.00 tree. Fraser Firs do smell delicious!
The little packages are a great and thrifty idea.
The Lettered Cottage is simply charming at Christmas.
Rhonda

Melissa Miller said...

It's gorgeous! I just adore the "green" wrapped presents for the tree. They look adorable.

Merry Christmas Kevin and Layla! ~Melissa :)

micah said...

I can't believe your tree was $5!! We got ours for $15 and I thought that was pretty good. What an awesome idea to wrap all those extra boxes in pretty paper. Your tree is gorgeous, can't wait to see more!

*junkrestore* said...

please, can i know where you got your galvanized pedestals? I'm in love...

Valerie said...

I love, love the wrapped packages on the tree. I am filing this idea at thecraftersfilebox.com. You guys are so inspirational! I can't wait to see what you come up next!

Erin Southwell said...

Gorgeous!! I particularly love the starfish! And the wrapped boxes!
E :)