Help me find a small Christmas tree that doesn't make me sad

[EdwinDrood]

Hullo,

Last year was my first proper Christmas with my DP in our new flat. I didn't really get myself organised and ended up buying a plastic Christmas tree from a local poundshop. It was so ugly and pathetic that it made me actively unhappy every time I looked at it.

I am determined this year to have a nice cheery tree that fills my heart with joy, not one I will throw away in January whilst sobbing.

Our flat is quite tiny, with next to no storage, so it will need to be fairly small. I've never had a real tree before, and not sure I can be arsed hoovering up the needles. Also am going away over the Xmas week, so don't want to come back to dead shrub in my living room.

All suggestions and recommendations welcome! Also, any suggestion for Xmas decoration on a budget? Perhaps wouldn't mind having tiny sad tree if the rest of the flat looked festive.

You can get any kind of tree - they are all meant to grow outside, after all. Just go for a tree that appeals to you :-)

There are specific outdoor lights for safety reasons but yes I assume you would be able to get battery operated ones.

I would definitely go for a lovely plump potted real tree.

The best budget Christmas decorations IMO are holly, ivy, pinecones and curling ribbon. If you buy a pack of 5 or 6 rolls of curling ribbon (around £2 - 3) in your chosen colour (red?) and spend the autumn going for nice walks with eyes open for large amounts of accessible ivy, you can get lots and lots and make huge sprays of it with big bows of curling ribbon with long ends trailing nicely. A few pine branches as well will extend the Christmas tree smell. We always used to spray pinecones with silver, a can of silver spray is not a lot of cash either and they look lovely.

I would also get a few nice baubles rather than a whole load of pound land ones, and just tie a couple to each big spray/swag of greenery.

I would put this on a side table, add some lights and just a few special sparkling decorations, and maybe something (a Christmas figure or animals or whatever you like) to stand next to it, and a pretty dish of wrapped sweets.

Then go to Matalan or somewhere cheap and cheerful and buy a couple of cozy throws and festive cushions, and a Christmassy scented reed diffuser or two.

Thanks Holger will just pick one I like in that case and have a hunt for battery operated outside lights

The most important thing, if you intend to keep it outside long term, is the pot. Make sure it's frost proof (if it's a clay or pottery one) as otherwise it'll crack.

I have a plastic one that me and the girls' grew some lillies in over summer, would that be ok?

Well if they are potted they will come in a plastic pot anyway, so I would probably leave it in the one it comes in.

Thanks, will start looking tomorrow while I'm out and about.

Sorry again for hijacking your thread OP

I got a tiny black plastic tree for my partner's flat. We don't live together and I felt his place needed some Christmas cheer. It sits on the top of the sideboard in his living room. I got some tiny little basic white, silver and pale blue baubles and a few more expensive baubles to dress it up - Because the tree is so small you don't need many decorations, so I paid a bit extra to make sure they were special. A beautiful bird, crystal encrusted butterflies, that sort of thing. It looks absolutely beautiful, if I do say so myself :-).

The tree was probably about six quid and I maybe spend another ten on ornaments. Plus five pounds on a little string of lights.

If you're not on pinterest yet, set up an account and start looking for inspiration now. There are so many ways of making a space feel cosy.

So many good ideas here - thank you all v much! Feeling much more optimistic now

Tortoise - love that tree, it's pretty much what I'm after, but perhaps slightly out of my budget. It's adorable though.

I'm leaning towards a festive branch, spray painted gold or something, with loads of baubles. And a fuck ton of twinkly lights and glittery shit.

Please do keep your ideas coming, loads of great inspiration

Hope you find your perfect tree lucysmam!