Photo Credit: Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig

Does your green and eco-friendly self cringe at the thought of shelling out money for a tree that would only be dumped at the end of Christmas season? Do you wonder about the safety of an artificial tree?

You’re not alone.

Christmas trees and the debate between real vs. artificial has been going on for really long now and while the jury is still out about the winner, we can go ahead and explore some options that really are eco-friendly and safe for the environment and your family.

1. Rent a Christmas Tree

Top of the list is a novel but totally green and eco-friendly practice of renting a live Christmas tree that comes intact with roots and is in a pot and still growing while you decorate it for Christmas. All you need to do is contact the Christmas tree rental company and ask them to deliver the tree and then, later pick up the tree after Christmas is over. Easy-peasy and eco, too!

Is it more expensive? Actually no. Most companies may charge a refundable deposit however, the actual cost is the same as buying a live tree.

Post-Christmas, once the trees are returned to the companies, they are either replanted in the nursery or in other locations, depending upon how big they’ve grown. Some companies donate the trees to reforestation projects or use them in urban landscaping projects. The Original Living Christmas Tree Company, for instance, plants the trees around schools, churches and in parks and watersheds.

Renting a Christmas tree is a brilliant and easy-to-do eco option that not only gets you a tree that wouldn’t be destroyed once the holidays are over but also lets you purify and freshen the air you breathe while the tree is in your home.

Some companies that offer “living” Christmas trees for rental are The Original Living Christmas Tree Company, The Living Christmas Co and The Little Tree Company.

2. Buy a Live Christmas Tree

If you can’t find a company to rent you a living tree this Christmas, maybe you can just buy one but with roots and all and then, have it replanted in your garden or if that’s too small, in a public area, such as a park.

Of course, you’ll need permissions for this as well as spend some extra money too, but think about it, no breathing in of toxic fumes, helping the planet by growing a tree and celebrating a green Christmas as well. Yes, it feels good, doesn’t it?

If you’d like more information about tree planting, check out the American Forests website

3. Alternative Christmas Trees

Photo Credit: F_A

Finally, you can go the alternative, DIY route and make your Christmas tree out of twigs or cake. For a twig tree, simply get a painted pot, fill it with mulch, so that the twigs can stand in it. Next, get some artistic looking twigs, cleaned of dried leaves and mud and “plant” them in the pot.

Then, just decorate.

For a “cake” Christmas tree (like the one in the photo above)that is bound to be a hit in a home with kids, check out this simple recipe from Disney ®Family Fun.

Or if you’d rather not make an alternative tree, you can get yourself an ornamental tree, there are ornamental trees available for all reasons and seasons.

Would you be getting yourself an eco-friendly Christmas tree this holiday season?