For various renters, owning a Christmas tree is an important part of celebrating the holiday. But bringing a fresh-cut tree or even a large imitation tree into your Washington home can be an excessive struggle – or even stressful.
As maintained by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas trees are responsible for causing an average of 170 residential fires every year, causing an average of 15 injuries, 4 deaths, and $12 million in property damage. These figures should already make you think twice and consider how dangerous Christmas trees can be and may move you and your landlord to search for creative alternatives.
Safety aside, selecting a low-cost, low-hassle alternative to the traditional Christmas tree just may give you a push towards getting those inventive juices running. A substitute Christmas tree can be constructed out of just about any material you can think of, giving you a creative new take on the traditional tree.
For instance, if you have an exposed wall in your living room or other available areas, you could create a “tree” out of crepe paper or washi tape, adding ornaments that you can attach directly to the wall. For someone who wants to experiment, you can also consider making a tree out of post-it notes, using different colored notes to create the effect of green branches and colorful ornaments. You could also draw or paint a tree outline on a large canvas or chalkboard, allowing your creative side to peek through. By using removable tape or other materials, you can easily create an affordable “tree” on your wall that can then be quickly removed.
For renters looking for a more 3-dimensional option, think about what you can make with a wooden ladder, a stack of books, or several large pieces of cardboard. Ever recognized how a freestanding ladder looks like a triangle from the side? Wrap a string of lights around it and add a few decorative touches, and you’ve made yourself a “Christmas tree” that you can display and use for home maintenance tasks the rest of the year.
As for the book lover, consider creating a “tree” on a small table by creatively stacking some books. You can also add ornaments on top have that true holiday feel. Or you can even aspire to craft a multi-sided “tree” out of large pieces of cardboard inserted through each other. This freestanding tree stand-in can then be painted or ornamented for you to get the design and feel that you like.
You can also consider creative options that include twine and twigs. It is easy to create a “tree” shape by wrapping an upside-down cone, tomato cage, or other items with twine, felt, or decorative ribbon. These creations can then be shown off in any available space and allow you to brag about your fruit of labor. For a more rustic approach, consider trying different lengths of twigs together to create a tree-shaped twig ladder that can be hinged in a window or attached on a wall.
Inventive and budget-friendly, each of these propositions can be your new go-to Christmas decoration. But if you do have questions regarding what decorations your landlord will allow, it is urgent to converse straightaway and periodically with your landlord or Washington property manager. Subsequently, they are an excellent guide to a safe and hassle-free holiday season. For more information about how the team at Real Property Management Southern Utah can help, contact us online or call us at 435-673-4242.
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