Asked on Dec 12, 2016

Hum Bug Hubby

Kimberly O'Hara
by Kimberly O'Hara
We just moved into our condo and are finally settled. Hubby doesn't want to put up a Christmas tree. In 52 years I've always had a tree as I love Christmas. What could I use to put lights on it to at least try to have a tree? Merry Christmas to all!
  27 answers
  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Dec 12, 2016

    Oh man! I think that there are still a ton of fun decor ideas that you can do without a traditional tree. Have you thought about putting garland or something festive around the perimeter of a wall in the living area? Also, these are a couple of my favorites on Hometalk....

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/christmas/how-to-make-a-pine-cone-christmas-tree-5827545


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/christmas/from-trash-to-christmas-tree-25417069


  • Shawna Bailey Shawna Bailey on Dec 12, 2016

    Sparkly Christmas balls!

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/christmas/sparkle-balls-25704727


  • Judy Ackerman Judy Ackerman on Dec 12, 2016

    Talk to your husband and ask him if he would be willing to have a three foot tree instead of the usual 6-7 footer. They take much less room, easy to decorate and look really pretty. I have two of them, one on a table in the living room and another in our bay window. Plus they take up very little storage room.

  • Connie Connie on Dec 12, 2016

    You could duct tape lights in a Christmas tree shape to a sliding glass door or picture window. We did this once because I had an injury and couldn't do extensive decorating. It lasted until Christmas Eve, came home from church and due to condensation, the lights all slid down the glass, and all the presents were UNDER THE TREE!

  • Ana Bacallao Ana Bacallao on Dec 12, 2016

    Oh, I know men can get like that but there are ways you can have a festive look without a tree. Do a tabletop arrangement of your favorite Christmas objects, make the centerpiece a small tree made from a branch to which you have wrapped miniature battery operated lights and it will look beautiful. Also if you shop around, you may find a tree form in metal which you can use, I have one I purchased at Pier 1 years ago which I use for my Swarovski ornaments, I don't have lights on it but you could.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 12, 2016

    There are plenty of ways to decorate without a tree. Place ornaments in a large vase with fairy lights,hang ornaments from windows,place poinsettias around for extra vibrant color,garlands ,hang lights around your windows.etc.

  • Annie Annie on Dec 12, 2016

    Is this a new husband? If not, why does he have an objection? If he doesn't want to help with it, so be it. You can do it yourself. I always have, even getting it in the stand by myself. For many people Christmas is an emotional time of year, to suddenly find you're living with Mr Grinch isn't very appealing, and although others have given you good suggestions the bigger issue is how resentful you may feel on Christmas Day.

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Dec 12, 2016

    Rather than he or you imposing a solution, An idea: Make a list of the top 5 reasons you want a tree, Have him make a list of his top 5 for not wanting it. Somewhere in the middle you will find an idea as to a happy compromise.

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

    No he's not new, we've been married 34 years. He never helps with the tree I always do all the decorating and shopping. We bought a beautiful new tree last year but we keep it in a storage facility. Due to health issues I can't get it or carry the stuff in. I think I'm just gonna put some lights on a tall arrangement I have. I've put up other decorations. I appreciate everyone helping out.

  • Kim Salmi Kim Salmi on Dec 12, 2016

    One year when I was a teenager I didn't have a traditional tree to put up in bedroom like I usually did since the original one was too old to serve any longer ...my solution was to find a nice size sturdy maple branch in a pretty shape which I put in a tin can filled with rocks covered with a tree skirt ....it held a small string of lights and some lightweight unbreakable ornaments and did the job beautifully as a stand in till the next year when I was able to replace my small artificial pine : )

  • Ginny Ginny on Dec 12, 2016

    How about a silk ficus tree trimmed with lights that you can keep up all year long and change decorations. I have had one for years with clip-on birds I purchased in Ocean City MD in the branches. Have also considered decorating with Christmas ornaments. I purchased a 4-ft. pre-lit Christmas tree at Home Depot that is cute as can be when decorated, and I was surprised at how many decorations it holds. Tree fits on an old end table of mine and looks adorable with a nice tree skirt and a huge ribbon or angel on top. Cost is minimal - usually $40 - $50. Cover it with a large lawn and leaf bag and put it in a closet when the holiday is over. If you like it, do it...life's too short to get in arguments over a holiday tree.

    • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

      Good idea. We have a gorgeous tree but it's in storage and he doesn't want to mess with it this year. A few weeks ago Lowes home store had some live trees in pots for like $12. Think I'll head there tomorrow!!!

  • Lisa acuna Lisa acuna on Dec 12, 2016

    I've been there and done that. I even thought of hiring a decorating company, which are very popular now, to bring me a tree and secure it in a stand, which they charge about $40.00 to do, and then give the bill to my husband to show him what he could have saved if he just would have helped! lol But, I think the best solution is to get a 3 foot tree. I did this for the first few years we were married. I found one the previous year at Walgreens for $7.00. It included the stand, skirt and old fashion foil decorations which I love. They used it as their display and had marked it down to get rid of it. I placed it on a round drum table in front of our front window. I placed a floor length table cloth over the table and then used a tree skirt that draped just to the edge of the table top. I decorated it just like a regular tree with gifts under it and larger ones around the table skirt. It looked beautiful! And the extra perk was that from the outside, everyone thought we had a full size tree! After Christmas, I just threw a garbage bag over it and placed it in the basement for the next year. (I think this new option of commenting will be more about sharing memories than ideas, but that is great!)

  • Lesleyo Lesleyo on Dec 12, 2016

    Ask Santa for a new hubby....LOL.....Buy your own tree and put it up..does not have to be big but a cute one is great! And then throw some Christmas dust on Scrooge and see if he changes...or pour yourself a merry xmas drink, put on some music and dance around your tree...he will get jealous and want to join in!!!Good luck!!

    • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

      Cute ideas but I'm definitely gonna keep the hubby I have a few things up my mom brought over. I may look in some woods for tree branches to decorate. Thanks for your reply. Merry Christmas 🎄

  • Dixie Dixie on Dec 12, 2016

    I don't have any photos, but I no longer put up a Christmas tree in my livingroom - the room everyone walks by. So, I use suction cups and put lights around the perimeter of the window/door, put up an extension curtain rod at the top and hang very nice ornaments (from my old tree) using metallic ribbon and again using suction cups at lower levels. I've had LOTS of compliments about how beautiful it looks!

  • Susan Susan on Dec 12, 2016

    Well, first, being the way I am, I'd put up a tree anyway. (Maybe that's the reason I'm not married!)

    I have a smallish apt and rather than try to juggle furniture to add a tree, I've just used several little lighted trees on tables, kitchen counters, etc. Lots of garlands draped around mirrors, garlands with lights over drapery rods. I've placed lots of seasonal things in bookcases, etc. Very festive if I do say so myself.

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

    I've put out some decorations. We have a beautiful tree but it's in storage and he doesn't want to mess with it. This definitely won't happen again, this I can promise you. Have a Merry Christmas!!

  • Get yourself a small table top tree, real or fake, and dress it up to your liking. Or at this time of year, they sell rosemary plants shaped like a tree. I have seen them anywhere from 1 to 3 feet tall. Get some lights or battery lights and place on a small table and decorate. After Christmas is over, you can give to a friend that has a yard to plant the rosemary. Or, places like Pier One, Homegoods, sell "ornament trees" - basically a tree shaped hunk of glittery metal. Adorn with ornaments and no mess from a real tree. Do what makes you happy! Does not have to be expensive or take up a lot of space. 😊

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

    Perfect idea!!!! I'm going to go look tomorrow!

    Merry Christmas 🎄

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

    A big thank you to everyone for taking the time out of their busy lives to stop and answer my question. Since I have a few decorations out I think I'm going to get a rosemary tree shaped plant and put lights and tiny bows on it. I have some twigs to add also. Thanks again and Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎄

  • Dixie Dixie on Dec 12, 2016

    Kimberly, I'll try to take one for you. It's truly beautiful and I have a full-size tree in my little den, so I DO have plenty of Christmas! Thank you and Merry Christmas also!

  • Francesca Francesca on Dec 12, 2016

    How about hanging wreaths with fairy lights. Maybe three hanging in your window or wherever you like to have them. You could swag between them or above them to give a cohesive look. Easy to put up,easy to take down and easy to store! If you have a sill below you could have little pots in a row with faux greenery or battery operated candles. Merry Christmas!

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 12, 2016

    Great idea! Thank you 😊

  • Dixie Dixie on Dec 14, 2016

    This was taken from the outside. Hope they come through so you can see how nice they are. I used ribbons for the large balls but suction cups for everything else. The lights are also held up by suction cups. There are even some big glass prisms which would go on chandeliers if you can see them. I'm also attaching my snowman made from an Utz's pretzel container on top of a Dollar Tree basket (handles removed).

  • Kimberly O'Hara Kimberly O'Hara on Dec 14, 2016

    So pretty!!!! Thank you for sending me these picture. It means a lot to me.

  • Emm14231318 Emm14231318 on Dec 21, 2016

    I'd put the lights on "hubby."

  • Bobbie Bobbie on Jan 14, 2017

    I bought a wall tree! (Which I absolutely love btw!) Beautiful lights, Christmas spirit and takes up no extra room. I have a wagon which I draped xmas fabric over and put the gifts in and wheeled them out when it was time to open the gifts. Hubby doesn't have to help put it up or take it down.......it's a win win at our home!! Sorry I didn't take any pictures

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 14, 2024

    After years and years of being the one who wanted a tree, I was responsible for start to finish until I said, no more. It was enough, no, I am not taking sides but really enjoy looking at other people's decorations relieving me of the annual stress.