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Bored Panda

Eglė Bliabaitė

50 Christmas Tree Pics People Just Had To Take As They Did Such An Amazing Job (New Pics)

Bored Panda

If you're a Christmas freak like me, you've probably had your Christmas tree and decorations up since the middle of November. If you adhere to traditions, you might have just started thinking about it now, as many experts say that the second week of December is just the right time to put up your Christmas tree.

So, we here at Bored Panda decided to give you some ideas on how to decorate your wonderful trees. Here's a list of unique Christmas trees folks have put up in their homes, workplaces, and even yards for you to glean some inspiration from.

To learn the secret to a perfect Christmas tree, Bored Panda reached out to the Jennifer Perkins—blogger, indie craft pioneer, and author of five books about crafting. She kindly agreed to give us some tips on how to make a stunning and one-of-a-kind tree!

More info: Jennifer Perkins | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Books

#1 DIY Christmas Tree Cat Nest

Image credits: yeswarmgofficial

When it comes to inspiration for Christmas tree design, for Jennifer, it starts with both a theme and a color palette. "Occasionally, I will find an amazing ornament, gift wrap, or tree skirt in an unusual color combination that kicks the whole thing off," she told us. "I tend to veer away from typical traditional Christmas colors, so, my color palette can come from lots of different places."

Jennifer prefers artificial Christmas trees, mostly because they come in colors other than green. "I tend to put unusual things in my trees. This year, I have my collection of mod ceramic piggy banks in one of my trees. Artificial trees can hold the weight and keep their shape, real trees can't handle my kinda Christmas," the master crafter shared.

For those who want to spice up their Christmas with a different kind of tree this year, Jennifer recommends not getting stuck on making everything red and green. "I have hot pink, lavender, yellow, and even rainbow-striped trees in my collection. I love a vintage Christmas moment, but don't be afraid to mix in some brand-new goodies from big box stores.

"You don't have to get hung up on one era and be a purist. Mixing and matching styles, materials, brands – all the things – makes for a more interesting tree."

#2 Christmas Tree In Lecce, Italy

Image credits: JoeFalchetto

#3 This Christmas Tree Has Been Created By A Group Of Elderly Women From A Community In My Village. It's Displayed In Our Central Square

Image credits: Chris-Arnall

You might be thinking that throwing everything and anything on your tree is the best way for it to stand out. But Jennifer is here to restrain us all. "I have an aunt who's ex-husband once asked: 'Do you own a jewelry box?' She tended to wear all her jewelry at once and he was probably hinting she could use an edit. Probably why he's an ex," Jennifer quipped.

"As an avid Christmas collector, I think of this story often. I can't have EVERYTHING out at once. I rotate years with my ornaments, trees, and collections. This gives me a chance to do different themes and gives collections and pieces their chance to shine rather than be lost in a sea of Kitschmas collectible chaos. I'm a firm believer [that] minimalism is for quitters but even I know to use the metaphorical jewelry box when decorating," she added.

#4 A Very Special Christmas Tree In Public Library (Sulęcin, Poland)

Image credits: jebik

#5 I Made A Solar System Christmas Tree!

Image credits: Calexandria

#6 Cool Christmas Setup My Dad Built For My Step Mom

Image credits: Snickle_Frittz99

Our list may inspire you to try out something different this year. Instead of a traditional tree, you might go for a book tree, a Lego tree, or even a tree made entirely out of plushies (if you have that many, of course!) But if you're going the traditional route, you still may face a dilemma: real or plastic tree?

That's the age-old question, isn't it? This year, the majority of Americans (46%) will have an artificial tree in their homes, according to Statista. Only 26% of consumers say their tree will be a live one. Some 30 years ago, most of us believed that a real tree is way better for the environment and that plastic trees are the devil. But is that really true?

Whether a plastic or a real tree is better for the environment depends on how we use and dispose of it. Artificial trees leave less of a carbon footprint than natural trees that get composted or incinerated. If you do, however, replanting or chipping it and using the tree after the holidays for your own landscaping purposes is a more environmentally friendly solution.

#7 Tree-Rex

Image credits: TheZapper2

#8 My Who-Ville Tree

Image credits: iamsuperkathy

#9 Saw These Christmas Lawn Decorations Constructed Entirely Out Of LEGO Today

Image credits: AfrAsian

But plastic trees also can be a sustainable choice. A 2018 study showed that if we use our plastic trees for at least five years, they may have less environmental impact. Another 2009 study claimed that you'd need to keep your artificial Christmas tree for 20 or more years for it to have less environmental impact than a natural tree

A lot of things come into play when considering which Christmas tree to choose. "The impact of both types of trees varies based on how far consumers travel to get their tree, how they dispose of their tree (for live trees, landfill, incinerate or compost), and how long consumers use their trees," the researchers of the 2018 study concluded.

#10 My Christmas Tree - Made And Decorated With Stuff I Had Around The House

Image credits: Jessirossica

#11 A Christmas Tree For When You Have Cats

Image credits: jenpriester

#12 Since I Last Shared This Little Tree, I Couldn’t Resist Sweetening It Up With Just A Few More Newly Acquired Frosted Sugar Fruits And Hanging Some Ornaments In The Window To Tie In The Colors Of The Dishes That I Used To Style The Shelves That Flank The Tree. That’s The Best Part Of Decorating, Isn’t It?

Image credits:

So, if you're going for a live tree, be sure to buy it locally. That way, you're not contributing to extra emissions with your gas-guzzling car and supporting the local economy. And be sure to get rid of it responsibly: replant, compost, or use it for mulch. Incinerating it will just release the carbon back into the atmosphere.

#13 Christmas Freak! Grinch Tree! 1/8 In My House! Let Me Know If You Want To See The Other 7! This One Stays Up All Year In Our “Craft Room”

Image credits: Puzzleheaded_Bat7297

#14 My Nightmare Before Christmas Tree

Image credits: reddit.com

#15 There’s A 10’ King Of Christmas Tree Under Here Somewhere! The King Flocked Is Durable Enough To Hold All This Yummy Junk!

Image credits: sami_riccioli

If you're worried that there are already too many trees being cut down and don't want to contribute to deforestation, don't feel bad. Bill Ulfelder, executive director of the Nature Conservancy in New York with a Master's degree in forestry, told The Washington Post that it's the contrary. "Trees are a renewable resource. When they’re being cut, they’re being harvested in ways that they’re being replanted, so it’s a great renewable resource that provides lots of environmental, conservation and nature benefits."

#16 My Rainbow Christmas Tree. Just Moved Into A New Apartment And I Did This Before I’d Even Unpacked The Kitchen

Image credits: Na22ers1984

#17 Replaced Our Tree This Year With A Decorated Tent. Plan To Fill The Inside Xmas Morning With Presents

Image credits: pr0n-clerk

#18 My Christmas Corner Featuring The Dress-Tree

Image credits: mirm222

However, be sure not to leave your live Christmas tree inside for too long. Experts say that trees can get used to the warm indoor climate and then might not survive outside after Christmas. If you're planning to replant your tree, don't leave it indoors for more than 12 days or two weeks max. For perhaps the most sustainable option, some suggest renting a Christmas tree from a local farm.

#19 The Tumbleweed Christmas Tree Chandler Arizona

Image credits: Lloyd Ferguson

#20 My Pink Tree

I just found this subreddit, and my soul people! A bit late, but wanted to share my tree this year. We don't have a lot of options for Christmas decoration shopping here in New Zealand, so the majority of my decorations are from dollar stores. I still haven't taken it down, maybe next week ?

Image credits: sonzso

#21 Our Modern Solution To No Space For A Full Tree

Image credits: reddit.com

The Christmas tree itself isn't the only aspect of Christmas where you can get more eco-friendly. Think about the tree decorations as well; plastic tinsel and baubles are practical and pretty, but they contain a lot of plastic and might not be too good for our planet. Using the same decorations for many years or buying them second-hand is a good option, but many beautiful decorations can be found in nature.

#22 My Mom's Homemade Xmas Tree

Image credits: zirby32

#23 Tree Is Up! I Think The Lights Are Older Than Me

Image credits: _eclair

#24 I Crocheted A 6 Foot Tall Christmas Tree!!! Freehanded

Image credits: lanowmom

Dried orange slices and cranberries can bring a lot of natural color to your tree. You can also use pinecones as ornaments on your tree, and even spice them up with things like ribbons or buttons. If you're a DIY and baking enthusiast, you can make your own ornaments from salt dough. You'll just need some cookie cutters and some dyes or paint.

#25 My Friends Homemade Christmas Cactus

Image credits: TankGrlX

#26 My Christmas Tree Lights Make Me Inordinately Happy ???

Image credits: Chelseus

#27 "My Niece And Nephews Tree. They Have Two Sons That Are Marines."

Image credits: Glassspiderweb

You can buy new ornaments as well even if you want to be as friendly to the planet as possible this Christmas. Just look for decorations made from wood, bamboo, cork, recycled or upcycled paper, wool, felt, and polyester. You can even hang some old or unused Christmas cards as decorations; they can be pretty and have sentimental value as well!

#28 Tree By An Indigenous Family :)

Image credits: scaffelpike

#29 I Made A Scale Model Of Downtown Truckee, Ca To Place Under Our Christmas Tree This Year!

Image credits: QrtJester

#30 Christmas At Work - We Have Trees But Thought This Was Amazing And It’s Unique! Upside Down Tree Dresses As A Belle

Image credits: beingonthespot

I don't know about you, Pandas, but this list seriously got me into the Christmas spirit! I suddenly have the urge to upgrade the Christmas tree in my living room. However, if this list wasn't enough for you and you'd like to see more ideas for creative Christmas trees, head over here and here!