DIY Christmas Tree
We went shopping for a real or a fake Christmas tree and all the good deals for fake trees where out of stock and all the real trees where no less than $50!!!
We have always had a real tree and we have never paid more than $35 for a 7' tree. So I decided to make my own using materials that I already had except for a tomato cage and maybe an extra garland.
I knew it would not be a big tree but this is the *#^ year 2020 and nothing is right about it.
Our plan is to get a nice fake one in January for next year.
I gathered the materials needed:
tomato cage $3.50
extra garland $5
two more cheap garlands from Family dollar $6
thin wire
cutters
my garland
umbrella metal base
stick
small cable spool
Oh, and chicken wire which I had.
If you don't have an umbrella base, you can use a Christmas tree base and or make a wooden one.
I used the spool so that I could slide the stick into it.
Then I covered it with chicken wire and molding it to the shape of the tomato cage.
I alternated with the garlands so that I could cover the entire area.
You want to make sure to bring out the tips of the garlands. This will make it look more real and full and also it will allow you to decorate easier. I also stuck some real tree branches into some holes to give it a more "uneven" look. I also did it for the smell 
.
Home Depot was giving away branches.
I put lights all around it and I took it inside to decorate.
I must say, I was very pleased with the outcome.
I still have to make a bow to cover the area from the star to the tree. Once we put gifts and boxes, it will look nice.
Voila! It measures about 5 feet tall.
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Beautiful
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use a large planter pot as the base. Secure the cage to the top of the pot. If using outside put a brick or something heavy in the bottom so it the wind won’t tip it over
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the spool is an integral component but no mention of where that came from? I have purchased nicer trees from thrift stores for $10- $20. All those supplies - chicken wire, spool etc add up. Looks nice enough but not cheaper really.
Beautiful idea. Merry Christmas to you and your family. God Bless.
Great idea to create your own tree with mostly what you had on hand. I've read of other people who are making trees out of tomato cages and garland. This isn't an option for some folks though. Yes, shop for trees during clearance sales as Christmas gets closer, right after Christmas and in January. If you shop online, I recommend you bookmark pages for specific trees you really like and then go back in late December/early January to check for price reductions. Did you check Wayfair online, or Kohls? I know "low priced" is relative to one's pocketbook. Thrift stores - yes. Also, Family Dollar has been advertising 6 ft unlit artificial trees on sale (I'm in SE Wisconsin) for $15. You would want to fill it out with your garlands but it looks like you've got several already so you wouldn't be out of pocket additionally to buy garlands to give an inexpensive tree a full lush look. If you have a Big Lots in your area, and a Re-Store, check them out too. I haven't looked at it but I know some people sell use items or offer free items on Facebook Marketplace.