We’ve been married for 8 Christmases, with kids for 4 of those and this year is the first year we’ve had an actual Christmas tree.
Real tree as in an artificial one, but an actual tree. Not a mini tree or a tree made of horseshoes. Now, a proper Christmas tree.
Unnecessary Spending
Honestly, part of the reason I never bought a tree was because of the work it takes to put it all away. It’s fun to put up and decorate, but daunting to go in reverse.
It’s also money and I’ve prioritized my “fun” spending. We have indulgences and treats where we spend money, absolutely, and they are all weighed against each other.
A tree wasn’t high on my list.
What About a Free Tree?
The funny part is how much my dad encouraged me to get a tree! It meant so much to him that when he mentioned the church had a tree to give away, I said I would take it. I mean we had gone without a tree for 6 years, we could start now with a free tree.
Except when I got the tree, it was beautiful!
Balsam Hill, beautiful.
Plus it was all packed neatly in clear totes with the lights wrapped around wooden dividers.
So I made a donation to the church, which I was happy to do.
Year 7 with No Tree
Then we moved and lived in a tiny rental house with less than the bare necessities so we didn’t put the beautiful new tree up for year seven.
We’ve Got a Tree & a Dilemma
Now that we’re living in the shop, we have a place to put this beautiful tree and we’re ready to do Christmas like we’ve never done before! Except now, I have no ornaments.
I had thought of this before setting the tree up, and my plan was to simply have lights this year. I would wait until the after Christmas sales to find ornaments on sale to decorate this tree.
Then I got the tree up with lights and it looked bare. I wrestled with the thought of purchasing ornaments this year for a week or so. Luckily, I never found any I loved enough to feel guilted into purchasing them.
Tablecloths on the Tree
Kade told my MIL, that we put tablecloths on the tree and the way he said it made it sound like quite the sight!
After I decided not to buy ornaments, I searched for ribbon to buy. The plan was to tie bows and place them around the tree in place of ornaments. Luckily, again, I couldn’t find the ribbon I had in mind.
I had sold some items on Mercari, had a credit on the app, and bought cheesecloth table runners to decorate our tables for Thanksgiving. You know, because with the credit I had, they were “free.” I was folding them to put them away after washing when I thought about tying them into a bow to put on the tree and IT WORKED!
Use your imagination a bit! I need to have Kyle place the middle bow at the top then reorganize my way down so it’s all even. I’ll add a couple more at the bottom for Christmas, but for now they are safely out of Krewie’s way. It photographs so calming and understated during the day with the green on green. I’ll make a note to update the picture once I have the bows rearranged properly!
Our First Decorated Tree
It makes my heart so happy to see it now. A beautifully decorated tree that didn’t cost our family money other than a donation to the church.
Sidenote: I get so discouraged when I hear people find the best items on the side of the road or marketplace for free. It feels like we never get those finds around here. Then I get the most beautiful tree and find Arhaus chairs on marketplace. Note to self: I wasn’t being patient enough.
We also still have the mini tree we’ve always had. The one I’ve always decorated with the white ribbon I saved off the packaging from the kids’ towels.
Speaking of towels, my tree skirt here is a kitchen towel bunched around the bottom!
I Can See the Magic
Now when I come down the stairs into a living room lit with Christmas lights, I can feel the specialness my dad was trying to encourage us to partake in. The kids even ask to sit in the dark with only the Christmas lights on.
At the same time, I’m really encouraged by the way we can find a way to make magic without money. Be patient to fill our home with treasures that didn’t cost our family.
Money Well Spent
We did go to the dollar store to make an Advent wreath. Each night during supper we light the candle for the week and it has been worth every bit of the $20. Absolutely one of my favorite traditions we’ve started.
small candles $2 | large middle candle $7 | wreath $3 | cake stand from the shelf
The Magic Doesn’t Come from the Money
I know this. Truly, deeply I know this. Yet sometimes, I get swept up and it takes me a minute to pull myself out. This is my reminder to myself that we can make beautiful traditions and memories without money. We can have a beautiful Christmas setup without spending. And it’s really fun to soak in the beauty of it all.
Merry Christmas friends!
