Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to get the Christmas tree down and start the new year. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw out your beloved tree: there are many ways to reuse it that will bring you much delight well into 2023.
Use it for Mulch
Pine needles are a great moisture and mold-free mulch for little seedlings because they dry out quickly and decompose very slowly. After Christmas is over, why not think about planting a January crop and using your spent Christmas tree to aid in the growth of your seedlings.
Make a Bird Sanctuary
If you can’t bear to part with your Christmas tree, consider putting it up outside. You can hang the tree with tasty treats that will attract birds to your garden, like pinecones smothered with peanut butter and rolled in seeds or strings of fruit, that birds will devour.
Edge your Borders
You can cut the trunk of your Christmas tree into 2-inch discs to use for edging your gardens or walkways – they’ll look great and last a long time!
Make Coasters
Use a saw to cut half-inch segments from your tree’s trunk. You can choose to paint them, stain them or leave them bare but keep in mind that it’s probably a good idea to let the pieces dry out a bit before you use them, otherwise your coffee table could be covered in sap.
Preserve the Scent
It seems like your Christmas tree always smells best when the holiday is over! That’s because as the pine needles dry out, they release more of their scent. It’s easy to keep this wonderful smell in your house by collecting the needles and sewing them into little fabric sachets. Alternatively, you can leave the needles out in a decorative bowl, along with lemon and orange rind, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg to a make a festive potpourri.
