"Waste not, want not." That's what my grandfather used to say. I now find myself proudly saying the same thing, and believing in it and acting on it. As you begin the task of tearing down and packing away the holiday trimmings you have scattered about your home, here are a few resourceful ways to use some of those trimmings throughout the coming year:
The Tree
With just a small amount of effort, the dried-up Christmas tree can provide you with gifts and accessories to use throughout the year. An average 8-foot tree will generate approximately 36 coasters, 24 ornaments, 12 disc-style pendants and numerous other creative opportunities, such as hair sticks, miscellaneous jewelry designs and art materials.
Let your fresh tree completely dry out after the holidays and then remove all the branches at the trunk using a pair of pruners.
Cut the center trunk down into manageable 2- to 3-foot sections using a handsaw.
Cut all your trunk sections into quarter-inch slices using a power tool or by hand.
The larger (3- to 4-inch) slices from the base will make beautiful organic coasters. Sand and wax. Add cork feet and bundle up in sets of four using a smaller log slice as your tag. You can also embellish using paints, stains, stamps or the wood burner.
The slices that are less than 3 inches in diameter make the perfect decorative ornaments. Add a small screw eye and ribbon or chain to hang. Leave natural, then sand and wax, or embellish as desired.
The smaller 1-inch slices make beautiful disc-style beads. Drill a half-inch hole through the center and sand the edges so they slope, and then finish with wax. Lace up to five on a small necklace chain and connect at the top with a jump ring. Add to the center of a necklace chain.
The Ornaments
Gather up all like-colored, solid ornaments and use them to fill clear glass jars. Arrange so the hangers are all positioned toward the center and hidden. They add a modern pop of color to any room of the house and they're also great as festive party centerpieces throughout the year. You can use your beaded garland in the same fashion.
Your heavier glass ornaments can be turned into beautiful gazing balls for your fountain or pond. Use monofilament and tie a fishing weight or washer to the ornament hanger so it stays submerged.
Your neutral-colored ornaments can also be used as gift toppers for any occasion or worn as beautiful jewelry pendants. Tassel ornaments are perfect for these alternative uses.
The Wrapping Paper
Instead of balling all that used wrapping paper up and throwing it in the trash, run it through the paper shredder. Set it aside and you are now well stocked with filler to use for gift bags, gift baskets or shipping packages at any time of the year. It can get re-used over and over again.
The Lights
White lights are extremely versatile for other occasions throughout the year. Something as simple as coiling them up and setting them about in glass jars is an easy solution for accent lighting anytime, anywhere.
Shorter strands can be used as under-cabinet or bookshelf lighting. Add them to a thin product called Cordmate (typically used to disguise cords along walls). Cut to size, drill holes that are spaced and sized according to your light strand, insert lights, snap shut and install using the adhesive strip included on the back.
Cheers to making 2010 the year to be more resourceful, less wasteful and smarter about what we consume.
(Visit Michele Beschen at www.couragetocreate.com or www.borganic.net or contact her via e-mail at Michele(at)couragetocreate.com)