Think it’s too early to start preparing for Christmas? Think again! September is the new December.
This is a guest post by Caroline Casetti
Getting through the holiday season, on a budget, is not as unfamiliar as you might think. Many experience those moments in life where money seems to be tighter than usual and budgets seem to get smaller with each passing day. This is felt most during the holiday season. Planning ahead is important for your budget, so be prepared for December by starting in September.
One cannot help but wonder if there are ways to live on a more restricted budget during Christmas without affecting the joy of the season. This is especially important for those families who have younger children whose happiness seems to depend on a beautifully decorated home and a few presents under the tree. In fact, there is a great way of increasing your budget – all it takes is a little creativity and dedication.
Earning More & Recycling Décor
A Christmas tree is the centerpiece of all gifts and decorations, and going without a tree is almost unspeakable. But how can you make your tree work for you or at least turn it into one of your cost free Christmas decorations? The answer is to begin using a live Christmas tree. It will only take a single investment and your tree will then have the ability to be reused each and every year. Here are the steps you will need to take to begin using your living Christmas tree.
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Invest in a Live Christmas tree – Live trees are not hard to find and can be very inexpensive if purchased properly. There are nursery’s that sell them year round and they come in a variety of different sizes and shapes. Pick out the tree that works best for you and take it home. Keep in mind that your new living tree will grow more each year so there is nothing wrong with purchasing it on the smaller side to begin with. This can work to your favor financially.
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Caring for your new living Christmas tree until Christmas arrives – Getting your new living tree home is only the first step in the process of caring for a live tree. You will want to find an area in the yard to plant your new investment. Try to use the best possible soil you can find and add some mulch if at all possible.
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Transferring your living Christmas tree to and from your living room – When the time comes to bring your living Christmas tree into the house, there are a few things you must do to prepare. Assuming that you saved the original pot that your tree came in, you will want to remove the tree, carefully, from its place in the yard. Be sure to remove the entire earth ball including the roots. You will then transfer your tree back into its pot and surround it with sawdust, potting soil or mulch of some kind. Once these steps are complete, your new living Christmas tree will be ready for those Christmas decorations and ornaments. Don’t forget to reverse the transfer order when Christmas is over.
A penny saved is a penny earned, and using the same living Christmas tree each year is a fantastic way to recycle your tree saving a few pennies in the process.
Editor’s Note: I never knew you could continue to use the same live tree each year. Will have to share this info with my hubby.
Caroline Casetti is a full-time mama and humanitarian, part-time freelance writer and aspiring artist. She blogs at The Humble Haven, which is a creative outlet featuring home inspiration, community involvement, and family fun.
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