Don't fancy the hassle of a Christmas tree this year? Not even a sustainable adopted tree or a second-hand artificial Christmas tree from a charity shop? In short: just no tree. But how do you bring that cosy Christmas atmosphere into your home? Don't worry, we have six original, sustainable alternatives to a Christmas tree for you. And we promise: no tree, no needles on the ground, just atmosphere!
Christmas atmosphere with an alternative Christmas tree
We regularly get questions from readers and followers this time of year whether we have any original alternatives to a Christmas tree. Because well, for more and more people, a traditional Christmas tree is no longer natural. A real Christmas tree takes four to ten years to grow and requires a lot of fertiliser, pesticides and water. After the holidays, some 2.5 million trees end up in the rubbish in the Netherlands. Such a shame! Fortunately, there are cool initiatives such as Nature Bar which makes delicious soap from the needles of Amsterdam Christmas trees and botanical brewer Lowlander which uses the trees as flavouring for their winter I.P.A. Nice solutions, to be sure. But fair is fair: most trees and their needles still end up on the pyre.
And then there's the hassle of a tree: stringing it up, needles on the floor and lugging it around. Whatever your reason, we've gathered six surprising and sustainable alternatives for you that perfectly capture the Christmas spirit - without a tree.
Three sustainable alternatives to a Christmas tree that bring just as much atmosphere and can be ‘decorated’ every year.
Cardboard Christmas tree by Kartent
At KarTent, they make everything from cardboard - from beds and lamps to toys and, yes, Christmas trees! They have a sustainable cardboard Christmas tree in two sizes: a tree of about 165 centimetres for 35 euros and a yokel of two metres for 44 euros. You get the tree as a handy kit, complete with cardboard baubles and a cardboard peak. Perfect for craft fanatics, as you can decorate and paint it entirely to your own taste. A fun project for the holidays! See more on the website of KarTent.
Tiny-Trees: sustainable fabric Christmas tree on the wall
Tiny-Trees are durable fabric Christmas trees that you can hang on the wall. With real Christmas lights, they instantly bring Christmas atmosphere into your home without taking up any space. These special ‘Christmas trees’ are designed and made in the Netherlands by designer Suseela Gorter. Every year, she campaigns for this sustainable alternative and shares via her social media a behind-the-scenes look at the design and manufacturing process. What makes Tiny-Trees extra special is that even the non-perfect trees with a small production flaw, do not go to waste. These specimens are also sold in the webshop, so nothing is really wasted. In addition, part of the proceeds go to charities dedicated to nature restoration, such as planting trees and protecting fragile ecosystems. See more on the website of Tiny-Trees.
Make your own book tree
Do you have a hefty collection of books at home? Give them the starring role this festive season by turning them into a Christmas tree! Start with a solid base by placing your books in a circle (flat on the ground). Build on layer by layer, making the circle smaller and smaller until you have a pointed pyramid shape. As a finishing touch, drape a garland or lights around it and you have a tree in your home that looks a lot like a real one. Need inspiration? Go to TikTok you will find countless videos in which book lovers show off their impressive book trees. It is not only sustainable, but also a perfect way to display your favourite books in the spotlight put!
If you are a bit handy, you can also get started yourself with an alternative to a Christmas tree.
Christmas tree made of branches
A zero waste Christmas tree and free too! During a walk in the woods, look for beautiful branches in different lengths. At home, hang them horizontally on the wall with string, from large to small, so that together they make a Christmas tree shape. Drape lights around them and add a few baubles to complete the tree. Less is more, certainly applies with this minimalist Christmas tree. It brings the scent and atmosphere of the forest into your home, without the need for a real tree. In short, no needle stress, but a unique, sustainable Christmas tree.
Draw a Christmas tree on your window
Do you love drawing and are you good at it? Then you don't need a Christmas tree at all, because you just draw it. On your window! Turn your window into a wintery work of art! Use chalk markers To not only draw a Christmas tree, but go all-in with a whole scene. Think snowflakes, presents under the tree, a cosy house, a sleigh, or even reindeer and Father Christmas. Use colours like white, green, red and gold for a festive look. Extra fun: even the neighbours can join in as they walk by! And the best part? After the holidays, simply wipe it away and next year, draw something else. What? That's up to you!
Plant with LED lights
No time, no fuss, but want Christmas atmosphere? Then decorate a houseplant you already have with lights. Choose LED lights, because these modern bulbs are eight times more efficient than old incandescent or halogen bulbs. Perfect for a large houseplant such as a monstera, ficus or runner plant. This original alternative to a Christmas tree is the easy way to Christmas!
Original alternatives to a Christmas tree: which one will you choose?
Whether you go for a creative book tree, a minimalist branch tree or a cosy plant with LED lights, there are plenty of original ways to add Christmas spirit to your home without a traditional Christmas tree. Which one suits you? Do you have your own fun and original idea for an alternative Christmas tree? Let us know and we will lovingly add to the list for next Christmas.
More sustainable Christmas tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Matching your alternative Christmas tree is this zero waste Christmas table.
- Under your alternative tree will also fit nicely gifts wrapped zero waste.
Source: Milieu Centraal. Photo credits: main image: Nicole Michalou (Pexels) & Kristina Paukshtite (Pexels), book tree: Charles Hackley (Flickr), cardboard tree: Kartent, Christmas tree on canvas: Tiny-Trees, branch tree: Юлия Здобнова (Pexels), window drawing of Christmas tree: Mascha Bongenaar, window drawing: thegreenlist.nl.
