The Magical Christmas Tree by Dot La Motta
Oh, Christmas tree,
Oh, Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Not only green in summer’s heat,
But also winter’s snow and sleet
Oh, Christmas tree, Oh, Christmas tree
How lovely are your branches!
I’m sure you are all familiar with the lyrics to the famous song above. If you are reading this article, you may already have a Christmas tree decorated and lit with sparkling lights, or you will soon have one. But what do you do with this enchanting beauty that mesmerizes children and adults and gives us so much joy with its elegance, fragrance, and charm after the holidays? The magic must come to an end in a house, but not outside.
Your Christmas tree can be repurposed in different ways that benefit both people and animals. Read on for some very creative ideas on how to do this.
Give it to a goat! They love the branches, bark, and needles that are a very nutritious
treat, even for donkeys, alpacas, llamas, and sheep. The needles have antioxidants,
Vitamin C, and minerals. Pine needles are a natural dewormer for goats.
Chip it, turn it into mulch, and use it around trees and shrubs for extra nutrients.
Make Potpourri. Fill a bowl with pine needles along with any fragrance of your
choice like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or oil of essence, or tie the items in a net or fabric
bag for a sachet in your drawers or closets.
Stand the tree up against a pole or post and anchor it or tie it securely. Make it a fun
project by making a garland from thin slices of apples and oranges and hanging them on
the branches with a string. The birds will love it and so will the kids.
Mix peanut butter and oatmeal and spread it on the inside and around pine cones, then
roll it in birdseed and hang it with a ribbon, string, or wire.
String plain popcorn (no butter or salt) and cranberries with a needle and thread and
make a red and white garland draping it onto the branches.
Make round coasters cut from sections of the tree trunk. Clean and glue Felt on
the underside, paint the top or paste deco designs, flowers, or leaves.
Place the ‘chemical-free’ tree branches in a nearby lake, pond, or waterway for fish
to hide from predators.
Use as firewood or for a bonfire.
Lay the branches in your garden bed to protect plants from winter freeze.
Check recipes for pine needle teas and baths for feet and body.
Make a wreath or a garland for a fireplace mantel.
Curbside pickup.
Tidbits:
The prettiest Christmas tree is the Colorado Blue Spruce
The longest-living Christmas tree is the Fraser Fir with a lifespan of up to 150 years
The best-smelling tree is the Balsom fir which has the strongest fragrance
Zero waste from a cut Christmas tree; completely recyclable, renewable product
$25 million estimated retail value-added products from Christmas tree decorations
5-6 million Christmas trees are harvested annually
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, Frohe Weihnachte
Dot La Motta is currently the treasurer of the Neuse River Writers and is an active member of our critique group. Her books include the The Italian Charmer, a captivating romance story with a culinary journey of twists and turns, two children's books, The Adventures of Sir Crumsby Cricket which teaches contentment, and Oliver the Octopus and the Spooky Ghost, which teaches honesty.
Dot is a multi-genre writer focusing on romance, children's, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She has published short stories and poetry in multiple anthologies, The Master Gardener's Newsletter, and was co-editor of the Johnson County Literary and Historical Journal in 2022 and 2023. She was commissioned as a guest judge for writing contests several times for the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the Church of God.
Dot is currently working on her second romance novella which hopefully will be completed by the end of the year. In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, garden, eat what she grows, reads, writes, enjoys long-distance driving, and is a certified master gardener volunteer at the Johnson County Agriculture Center.
She is a member of Neuse River Writers, The Triangle Association of Freelancers, the NC Writers Network, and the NC Chamber of Commerce. Dot can be reached at: justadotintime@yahoo.com
