Most of us are guilty of this, yet there are fun and more efficient ways of doing it. Leaving your sad and tired looking tree out in the gutter is no way to honor all of the magic it brought you during the holidays. Yes, it is sad and most of us don't know how to say "goodbye" once all the Christmas fun is done and gone. There's always recycling. It's "green" and the next logical thing to do. But there's more use and good times to be had with your beloved tree.
Be more open to experimenting new things with your old tree and it can just make your "goodbye" a bit easier this new year.
1) Take Your Tree to Burning Man
Well no, not the actual Burning Man Festival which is held remotely every year in the Nevada desert, but you can stage your own Burning Tree festival with friends. Have a bonfire and bring bits of your dried up tree, or throw whole ones into a massive pile and pay homage to the holiday gods while gyrating to hypnotizing beats. However, do check with your city first to see the laws and regulations on throwing such a firey frenzy.
You can add it on to your list of reasons to drink and party with your friends.
2) Make it Art
Gather with friends (perhaps your mates named Picasso or Monet) and channel your inner artist. For a cool photography session, take your unwanted trees to a location that normally wouldn't harbor a tree of that nature and start snapping away. Whether you're implanting them in the sand at the beach or an inner city suburb somewhere, you have the potential to capture some really cool photos.
You can also find nearby art shows or galleries running events that you can submit your revamped tree to as well. Whatever you do, be creative!
3) Start a MulchFest
Turn your old tree into mulch for that prized garden. Mulch not only makes your garden look more attractive, but it provides protection for the soil lying underneath and helps suppress the growth of weeds.
New York now has their annual MulchFest which everyone is invited to bring their used and unwanted Christmas trees. The city uses the mulch for their many parks and neighborhoods, and you have the option of taking your very own bag home. You can also enjoy live entertainment, food, and arts & crafts.
Go to your local city government and start a MulchFest of your own!
4) Live Out Your Lumberjack Fantasy
Women often fantasize about having a burly, flannel-clad, bearded man sweep them off to a hand-built log cabin personally made for them. Most men wish they could be lumberjacks (if they aren't already a legit one).
Guys (and girls too) can put on their lumberjack best, but don't forget the flannel, and go ax-happy on that once treasured Christmas tree. Have your lady watch in awe as you chop away at that 6ft behemoth while wiping beads of sweat from your forehead. Then, use the wood for a romantic night for two by the fireplace.
Don't have anyone to impress? You and your buddies can get together for some lumberjack games. Compete to be the ultimate lumberjack with carving and wood chucking competitions. Once you've perfected the art of lumberjack you can travel to the official Lumberjack World Championships
5) DIY Projects
For those that have time off work and are looking to pass the time, why not do some DIY (do-it-yourself)? You can turn your Christmas tree stump into coasters or ornaments.
Start my taking all branches off. Make them into wreaths or hang them in bundles for a lovely tree scent. Cut the stump into round half inch pieces. Then carve names, the year the tree was used, or a cool design on the face. Apply some wood glaze to the half inch thick circular shapes and voilà, you have your drink coasters or ornaments for next year's tree.
Also, you can cut the stump into thicker pieces to use them as pathway edgers for your outside area. But if you're really crafty, make a bird feeder using your carpentry skills!
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