The holidays are among the most stressful, time-consuming, labor-intensive and, above all, money-sucking periods of the year. In fact, the average Christmas tree costs roughly $25 at your typical back-alley lot.
So this holiday season, why not take a load off and skip the whole Christmas tree purchase? Here are some festive alternative items with which to decorate your home and get you into a holly, jolly mood—all for less than $25!
1. Santa hat ($1) — A stylish souvenir that can be propped up on a coffee table, sported around town or adhered to your cat’s head for your annual family Christmas card.
2. Christmas lights ($4.99) — String lights along the walls and windows to instantly emit a holiday vibe. You don’t have a tree to hang them on, but with enough voltage you may be able to temporarily blind your guests from noticing.
3. Homemade snowflakes (free) — Unearth some old magazines, newspapers or scrap computer paper, grab your safety scissors and go wild. Attach your snowflakes to every viable surface to create a cost-free winter wonderland!
4. Cinnamon sticks ($1.99) — “What is that amazingly refreshing, decadent, distracting scent?” Cinnamon, that’s what.
5. Elf on DVD ($5.99) — An uproarious film that will have you quoting lines every chance you get. Invite guests over for a movie night, or just curl up in a fuzzy blanket for a quiet evening in.
6. Holiday figurines ($1) — Try to find the kitschiest, ugliest and most terrifyingly precious ceramic figurines that you can. They’ll make you laugh and drive your guests out before they even notice the absence of a tree.
7. Menorah ($7.99) — It’s an awfully good explanation for why you don’t have a Christmas tree, and it shows you’re positive toward other religions and cultures. Plus, you may just end up with eight nights’ worth of gifts.
8. Pinecones/leaves/sticks (free) — Go outside or to your local park and gather up dead twigs, leaves, pinecones and other tokens of the great outdoors. Arrange them in a box or basket along with your newly acquired cinnamon sticks for a pungent, organic decoration.
9. Sugar cookie mix ($1.99) — It’s no secret that desserts around the holidays are a comforting necessity. Frost your cookies with your choice of icing and add winter-themed sprinkles to create an exquisitely simple treat. Send them to your friends as gifts to prevent them from visiting your treeless home.
10. Christmas cheer (free) — Even without a tree, it’s possible to get into the holiday spirit and feel positively jovial. As Buddy the Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”
Total: $24.95 •