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If you’re planning a<br />
low-key Christmas this<br />
year, it can be tempting<br />
not to bother with a<br />
tree – after all they take<br />
up space and can make a<br />
right mess. But just because<br />
you’ve scaled down your<br />
celebration, there’s no need<br />
to feel ‘Bah, humbug!’. With a<br />
little bit of creativity, you can<br />
still have a festive focal point.<br />
give<br />
these<br />
a go<br />
Charmingly rustic<br />
Make a simple wall-hanging structure using sticks and<br />
string – it’s the cheapest tree you’ll ever own, but it looks<br />
charming. Take two lengths of string, twine or wool (aim<br />
for a third longer than you want your finished ‘tree’ to<br />
be) and tie them together at the top so both hang down.<br />
Then take five or so branches or large twigs and starting<br />
with the shortest one, tie it in place with a loop of twine<br />
– one on each side. Continue down, with the branches<br />
getting larger. Then tie on baubles and other decorations<br />
and use a drawing pin or Blu-tack to attach it to the wall.<br />
Creative cuttings<br />
Off on a ramble? Take your secateurs with<br />
you and keep your eyes peeled for holly<br />
bushes or loose branches in interesting<br />
shapes. Then arrange them in a pretty vase<br />
at home – bare branches look elegant when<br />
decorated with baubles. (You’re allowed<br />
to take a small number of shed branches in<br />
woods for your own use.)<br />
buy<br />
it!<br />
good to know<br />
n Decorative<br />
white twig tree<br />
(76cm), £15,<br />
Hobbycraft<br />
n Gold twig<br />
LED wire tree<br />
(6ft), £45,<br />
Homebase<br />
Keep things festive – without the pine needles!<br />
Decorations<br />
with<br />
a difference<br />
Make a mini tree<br />
One for floristry fans, this little craft<br />
project will leave you with a tiny,<br />
and oh-so-sweet, tree. All you need<br />
is a green floristry wire, pliers, a<br />
fallen autumn leaf, three circles of<br />
newspaper (large, meduim and small)<br />
and some fresh bay leaves.<br />
Use the<br />
1 pliers and<br />
wire create a<br />
sturdy circular<br />
base then twist<br />
round to create<br />
a vertical pole<br />
in the centre.<br />
2Thread on<br />
the large<br />
newspaper<br />
circle as a base<br />
then add your<br />
bay leavestrying<br />
to make<br />
them cover the<br />
newspaper.<br />
Add the newspaper and<br />
3 leaves as photo above. When<br />
you’re happy with your tree rip<br />
the paper off.<br />
Cut a star<br />
4 shape<br />
from the leaf<br />
and glue to<br />
the top of<br />
your tree.<br />
Book tree<br />
If you don’t believe a house is a home<br />
without a bookcase or two, this is the<br />
“tree” for you! It couldn’t be simpler –<br />
just pile books in a pyramid shape on a<br />
table or cake stand and decorate with<br />
fairy lights, pine cones, baubles<br />
or anything you<br />
like. For a festive<br />
feel, choose<br />
books with<br />
green covers, or<br />
simply wrap in<br />
brown paper.<br />
n Wooden<br />
Christmas tree trio<br />
(biggest 40cm), £29.99,<br />
Lakeland<br />
n Snowflake<br />
Christmas tree<br />
wall sticker,<br />
£32.95, Not on<br />
the High Street<br />
STOCKISTS<br />
Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk;<br />
Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk;<br />
Lakeland 01539 488100 www.lakeland.co.uk;<br />
Not on the High Street www.notonthehighstreet.com<br />
pics: gAp gardens, loupe images/emma mitchell/penny wincer<br />
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />
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