An alternative...

Every year I struggle with the idea of what to do about a Christmas tree.

I grew up having the big cut tree with it's lovely smell and grand size.

The tradition of going to the lot with my dad on a snowy evening to pick one out...

the excitement of decorating with my brothers and sister and the thrill of seeing pretty wrapped packages underneath it on Christmas morning.

Then I grew up and had my own ideas about the whole industry of cut trees and how I thought it wasn't right somehow.

For a few years I would go out to the power lines, where B.C hydro allows you to take a tree (which they will cut down in the spring for maintenance anyways due to too many crowding the lines).

Truth be told, our house is small and I still am not completely comfortable with taking a perfectly healthy young tree for a few weeks and then out to the compost or burn pile.

So last year I started a new spin on things and have begun...

The Christmas chandelier!

 Quite simple, really.

I took a plant support (kind of like a tomato cage but made for large perennials), took the spikes which would normally go into the ground and wired them together like so...(usually there's 3 spikes)

Then I gather up whatever prunings I desire...(this year it's huckle berry and split leaf alder.)

Bundle them all together and wire them onto the support frame...

Next you add your lights...

Check out these beautiful lights...

No they are not hand blown amber glass...guess again!

Dried apricots! 

This was an idea my friend Irma saw a few years back and we've been spreading the news ever since.

Just put a tiny slit in it and slip it over the fairy light.

Then all that's left to do is hang said chandelier over your table or wherever you want and get your precious ornaments out to decorate...

Once again, another way to bring the light into the house on these short, dark days.