For various renters, putting up a Christmas tree is a necessary part of celebrating the holiday. Except displaying a fresh-cut tree or even a large imitation tree into your Henrico County home can be an expensive bother – or worse.
According to 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, four deaths, and $12 million in property damage. Statistics like these explain just how dangerous Christmas trees can be, and may cause you and your landlord to search for creative alternatives.
Safety aside, deciding to go for a low-cost, low-hassle alternative to the traditional Christmas tree may empower you to get those artistic juices flowing. 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.
Say you have a suitable area in your wall in your living room or other appropriate location, you could create a “tree” out of crepe paper or washi tape, adding ornaments that you can attach directly to the wall. For the more daring ones, reconsider making a tree out of post-it notes, using different colored notes to create the effect of green branches and colorful ornaments. You could furthermore draw or paint a tree outline on a large canvas or chalkboard, indulging your creative side to shine 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, examine what you can achieve with a wooden ladder, a stack of books, or several large pieces of cardboard. Ever notice how a freestanding ladder resembles a triangle from the side? Wrap a string of lights around it and add a few decorative touches, and you have created a “Christmas tree” that you can utilize for home maintenance tasks the entire rest of the year.
For the book lover, consider creating a “tree” on a small table by creatively stacking some books. You can later add ornaments on top to supply it with a true holiday feel. Or you can consider crafting 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 to give it just the form and feel that you desire.
Try also to incorporate twine and twigs. It is not hard to create a “tree” shape by wrapping an upside-down cone, tomato cage, or other items with twine, felt, or decorative ribbon. These impressive outputs can then be shown wherever you have space to show off your art. For a more rustic approach, consider trying different lengths of twigs together to create a tree-shaped twig ladder that can be set in a window or placed on a wall.
Beautiful and low-cost, each of these choices could very well be your new go-to Christmas decoration. However, if you do have challenges with what decorations your landlord will allow, it is crucial to talk early and regularly with your landlord or Henrico County property manager. In the end, they are your best guide to a safe and hassle-free holiday season. For more information about how the team at Real Property Management Richmond Metro can help, contact us online or call us at 804-417-7005.
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