Repurposing at its best: learn how to repurpose a faux Christmas tree into a 34-foot-long outdoor Christmas garland, 2 clip-on Christmas swags and an Alpine Christmas tree.
Decorating our home for the holidays is never an easy task for us. We don’t want to spend a fortune on holiday decor, and our house has a bit of an unconventional shape – it has its odd spots, weird corners and difficult areas more than most houses would have.
Take our portico, for example…do you see the red line I added to the picture below? I can’t put anything on that face, as it will mess up the symmetry of the porch lights, and hence it won’t look right.
That leaves me with the option of hanging garlands to the inner face of those columns, which creates other issues – anything you hang there flies off with the slightest wind.
Do you remember the 6 foot garlands I used for my JOY wreath? I actually bought six of those, as I wanted to use them on our portico two years ago. But when we tried to hang them, the only garlands that stayed in their places were the ones attached to the arch of the portico. Anything on the vertical faces just flew away. After picking the garlands off our lawn, I understood that those horizontal areas needed some sort of heavy and strong garland that wouldn’t budge in the wind. But where to find such a heavy and strong garland, right? Hence, we gave up on the idea and used two of those garlands to make my JOY wreath. The four remaining garlands were still in storage waiting for me to use.
Another problem with our portico is it’s size! It is rather big…I mean like really big!…or maybe I look like a shrimp when standing in the doorway, so I think it is big. Anyway… you decide: the total length of that inner face is 34 feet – the horizontal parts are 11 feet each, and the curved part is 12 feet. That means I would need approximately six 6-foot-garlands. As a single row of garland won’t cover the inner face, we would have to double the number of garlands, which would make twelve 6-foot-garlands. With the current pre-lit garland prices, putting any garland on our portico would cost a fortune. As I said, decorating our home for the holidays is never an easy task for us.
But, you know what? Despite all its weird corners and odd areas, we love our home, because it is our first house ever! Therefore, instead of itching and bitching about it, we always try to make it work for us, which usually means coming up with weird solutions – like repurposing a faux Christmas tree into an outdoor Christmas garland, hahahaha :-D.
As you may remember, our latest Put & Take find was a faux Christmas tree. Greg didn’t want to take it as the note on the box said it had some missing parts. Thinking that a branch or two might be missing, we took it home. Then came the slow realization, LOL…
H: You see, I was right. It’s only missing some branches. Not a big deal! 🙂
G: Awesome, my Babes!
H: (shortly after) Oh!?!…
G: Wassup?
H: Yeah…I think it is also missing the main body….I mean the trunk…oh well, I guess I can work with that. 😕
G: It’s okay, my Babes…
H: (shortly after) Really??? Bummer!! (The branches were two different types. They definitely didn’t belong to the same tree.) Now what to do??…
While Greg and Barish were having a great laugh and yammering on about Charlie Brown’s scrawny tree, I was waiting for a light bulb to switch on over my head. And oh boy! Did it light ever so bright!
I was going to repurpose the faux Christmas tree to an outdoor Christmas garland. With the idea, I immediately got to work, and not only did I make a lovely outdoor Christmas garland from it, but also two clip-on Christmas swags for our garage (click on page 2 to see the Christmas swags tutorial), and a faux 8-foot-tall Alpine Christmas tree for our living room (click on page 3 to see the alpine tree tutorial.) After making all that, I still have more than enough branches to make some small pathway trees, two big kissing balls and a couple more swags. I guess when I finish the rest, I will also be helping Greg and Barish to pick their jaws up from the floor. LOL. 😆
Now, are you ready to see how I made all these things from a box of faux pine branches? Excellent! But let me warn you, this will again be a long post, since it has 3-posts-worth of tutorials in it. 😉
Now that the “long post” warning is out of the way, let’s start with the DIY outdoor Christmas garland first, shall we?
Repurposing A Faux Christmas Tree To A DIY Outdoor Christmas Garland
Luckily, one type of the branches had a color code depending on the length and the size of the branch, so before doing anything, I started grouping them according to their color codes. Then I picked the group that had the most branches. I also grabbed 3 packs of Dollar Store garland (cheap single-line pine garland – 1$ each) and all the old Christmas lights Mom and Dad gave to us.
First, I started opening and flattening the branches, as shown in the picture below.
Then, I started bending the end of the steel stems with the help of a black steel pipe to give them a hook shape.
Next, I placed them on top of each other in a way to have each branch pointing the opposite way – do you see picture below? The reason for each branch pointing the opposite way was so I could have a connection point to link every piece to each other.
After positioning them correctly, I started wrapping the Dollar Store pine garland to tie the two branches to each other. Since I was at it, I carried on wrapping it also to the areas where the steel stem was showing.
Once I prepared a good number of these pieces, I started connecting the pieces by hooking them to each other.
To secure the connection points, Greg bent those hooks even more. [They weren’t screwing around when they made this tree. Those steel stems are strong! Even with pliers, I pulled a muscle at the base of my thumb and couldn’t close my hand for the next day. Of course, that was after clamping a whole bunch shut. But I missed my daily quota and had to go to bed without supper. Poor me. – Greg]
You can see from the picture below how the connection points were after Greg secured them. I have to say, he did a great job with that, so he earned some extra ‘Good hubby‘ points. Hehehehe 😉
When all the connection points were secured, I again wrapped them with a single line of cheap garland just to hide the steel hooks, and with that the main structure of the garland was basically finished.
To make them look better, I started wrapping the Christmas lights onto the branches.
Once I was finished with adding lights, I embellished the garlands with a red deco poly mesh ribbon I bought from Walmart.
In case you are wondering, I only made two big pieces of garlands with the Put & Take tree branches. The third garland you see in the above picture is made from plain pre-lit garlands (the four I already had in storage), because I needed something light to put on the overhead arch of the portico.
Before I forget, do you know how easy it was to hang my DIY garlands? Well, you know the ones I made had hook-shaped ends (remember the picture above?), so Greg just put one screw on each of the vertical faces and hooked the garlands on those screws. That’s how easy it was! I didn’t even have to move a muscle 😉
Then I went up and put the curved section’s garland in place.
Here are the beauty shots of our DIY outdoor Christmas garland for you.
Can you believe that this was a faux Christmas tree at one point? Pretty amazing how everything can get repurposed if we are willing to give some time and love to it!
Don’t forget to save this idea to Pinterest, so you can find it again later!
Now let’s make some easy-peasy clip-on swags with some branches of our faux Christmas tree, shall we?
Click on ‘Page 2 of 3’ below to continue with the clip-on swags tutorial.
Grace Gleason says
Really nice, Handan! Very imaginative. Hope the boys ate a little crow for laughing at you. 😉
Handan says
Thank you so much, Grace! Lol. Oh it was nice to see their expression after we hung the DiY outdoor Christmas garland 😀
Oh My Heartsie Girl says
Handan, you guys always amaze me with how you put things together, your porch is beautiful and I love the tree you made for insde!!! Would love to have you share your home on #OMHGFF http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-45/
Have a great weekend, Happy Holidays!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Karren! I would love to share it as I love your party!! 🙂
Robyn Wynn says
Awesome!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Robyn! 😀
Linda says
What creativity! I’m just amazed at it all and LOVE every bit of it too!! GREAT JOB!!
Handan says
Oh thank you so much for your lovely comment, Linda! 😀
chris aka monkey says
I am sure if santa reads this post, he will hire you both to decorate his house next year xx merry Christmas
Handan says
Lol. If that could happen I would be totally up for it, but I am not sure about our Grinch 😀 Merry Christmas to you and to your family too!! xx
acraftymix says
You go girl!!!!The decorations looks amazing and that alpine tree is to die for. I want one!!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Michelle! Yes, the Alpine tree is my favorite! Guess what we named it? ‘Charlie Brown’s scrawny tree’ hahahaha 😀
Amy @ StowandTellU says
That’s an amazing save and repurpose. It all looks so gorgeous and even better that you can enjoy it!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Amy! Oh we love how our portico looks now! It took me 4 days to get it all done, but the time given to all was so worth it 🙂
helenfern says
Hmmmm — I have a fake tree in my attic — which project will i do…… Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Helen! Next week I will be sharing even more…thank you for hosting that wonderful party! 🙂
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Wow, I have to admit I was skeptical how you were going to get all that out of one faux Christmas tree but you did and judging from the photo of the assembled alpine tree, have more branches to spare. Very clever way to make a strong garland for your portico. It all looks so beautiful and what a story to share to your guests about the old dilapidated Christmas tree that kept on giving. Merry Christmas!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Marie! Merry Christmas to you and your family, too! 🙂
Kristal says
I love all three ideas. I am definitely going to try the swag as I never use the bottom row of branches on our tree. Thanks for the great idea!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Kristal! The bottom row of branches indeed would make the best candidates for swags, because they would be slightly bigger and fuller 😉
cha says
B R I L L I A N T !!!
Handan says
Thank you very much, Cha!! 🙂
nancy says
Your tree is so much nicer looking than so many fake trees. It’s got soul. I glued bark around my fake tree and use a stand similar to the one you built. My cats love it!!!!!!!
Handan says
Oh wow, Nancy! That is a brilliant idea! If I happen to find another faux tree (of course I will make sure to check if it has a trunk next time) I will definitely try your idea 😉
Leanne says
My Dad has the same tree and when we replace it with a new one next year, I’m going to use the branches to make the swags and garland! Beautiful job.
Handan says
Awesome! I am sure they all will look so beautiful! When you finish them can you post a picture or two on our Facebook page? I would love to feature it!! 🙂
Brenda Schade says
That was the very first post I have read Word for Word top to bottom, your creativity is awesome and I loved everything and your Alpine tree is also my favorite.
I like it with just the star.
Thanks for sharing your great ideas.
Merry Christmas
Brenda ?
Handan says
Thank you very much, Brenda! I am indeed humbled by your wonderful compliment!! 🙂
Laura says
I love all of your projects here – especially the swags, as I have two garage lights that I haven’t been able to figure out yet. Now I do!
Off-topic question – What is on top of your lamp (that is standing next to your Alpine tree)? And what is it’s purpose? For the life of me, I can’t figure that one out! 🙂
Handan says
Thank you so much, Laura! Oh that is our wi-fi router, lol… Hopefully when Greg starts building the media cabinet for our living room, it will have a better nesting place 😉
Erika Wischow (@RikaWisch) says
Absolutely LOVE your creativity!!! So beautiful!!
Handan says
Thank you so much, Erika! 🙂
Susan Carroll says
Your alpine tree is so perfect. The white garland with trees and reindeer is adorable. Where did it come from?
Handan says
Thank you so much, Susan! I bought the garland long ago from Ramstore (a store similar to Stop&Shop) in Kazakhstan…it has to be at least 8-9 years old if not more. Originally it had black leather string, but over the years that started break from here and there, so I had to redo it with red, white & black baker’s string and sometime later strengthened it with chunky white yarn 🙂
Jerri says
Wow! You have some great ideas! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week!
Handan says
Oh wow! Thank you so much, Jerri! 😀
Mary-The Boondocks Blog says
Great repurposing Handan. I love the tree it looks like something out of Dr. Seuss. But now my daughter is looking over my shoulder and says I’m wrong. It is more like Tim Burton’s style. Anyway I want to wish you and Greg Happy Holidays.
Handan says
Thank you so much, Mary! Merry Christmas to you and to your family too!!
Beverly Roderick says
This is all so creative! What talent you both have for taking ordinary and making it extraordinary! Your outdoor decor is wonderful and the tree looks great, too! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. I’ll be featuring this at tomorrow’s party.
Handan says
That is awesome! Thank you so much, Beverly! 🙂
Lois says
Love it. Have used old tress for numerous things. I know what you are talking about. Very pretty.
Handan says
Thank you so much, Lois! 🙂
Stephanie Rountree says
WOW! You guys are awesome! Love your projects.
Handan says
Thank you so much, Stephanie! 🙂
Alecia (Sarge) says
Ok…so I have had a “spare” 6 foot tall faux Christmas tree that I bought for $2.50 at the end of the season, a few seasons ago, that I did not want to pass up but had no idea what to make of it. THANK YOU! I now have a few choices. (I love all of the projects that I have seen you and the Hubster create – not just these).
Handan says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked our projects, Alecia! 🙂
April says
WHAT a super idea!!! I just found this link from Pinterest (I LURVE Pinterest for finding hidden gems like this!) You guys are super resourceful! 🙂
Handan says
Thank you so much for your lovely words, April! It makes us so happy to receive comments like yours! 🙂
Tsu Dho Nimh says
Saw this from Pinterest … great idea to salvage trashed trees.
How do you store it? Can it just fold at the links?
Handan says
Thank you so much, Tsu! I store the garland in a plastic storage bin. Something like this: http://amzn.to/2BQjJtG. It doesn’t really fold at the links but it bends enough, so it fits into a storage bin.
Collette Barnard says
Haha, the same thing happened to me! Brought the tree home and it was missing the trunk, base and top. No wonder the box was so light. I’m going to give this alpine tree a try, I love the way it turned out. Very clever!
Handan says
LOL – Thank you so much, Collette! 🙂
Sharon says
Lovethe swags! What size bell and sprays did u purchase from the web link u added?
Thanks, they r beautiful!!
Sharon
Handan says
Thank you so much, Sharon! Here is the link to the exact bell spray: http://fave.co/2sV2eIF. 🙂