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I have been yapping for the last month about my Christmas tree. I was going to put it up a month ago! And then I had to put away all of my Halloween decorations. And you know what a chore that was! After that I had to work on Thanksgiving which was lovely. But the Christmas tree was patiently waiting out in the stairwell in a box. Waiting!! Oh poor Christmas tree.
Well enough of my bluster, I am done and am happy to show you how to upcycle your Christmas tree on the cheap! And now for the back story. Last year I had decorated the tree with everything but the kitchen sink. It was nice and very sentimental but I realized many of those ornaments were in tatters. It was time for a change. Time to become selective! Time to turn over a new leaf... er, a new color! And so I opted to remove as much red as possible, and do the Christmas tree in white, metallics and green. Because I am not someone who follows trends! Who's with me on this one? I also needed to do it on the cheap because who has money to throw away every year on new ornaments? And who decided that we needed to have a new look each year anyway? 
I had seen an idea over at my friend Leanna's blog, Of Faeries and Fauna Craft Co. where she had made a garland out of salt dough. Her ornaments came out beautiful. Sheer perfection I tell you! I was so enthused I decided to make my own... 
Mine were nothing to enthuse about! They came out black and some even blew up and looked like balloons. I like to blame it on the stove. I had just repaired it the other day and it was working too well.
How was I going to save the situation? I certainly didn't have money to throw around buying new ornaments! Instead I chose to paint them with a copper color. 
I painted them with chalky type paint and then for the second coat I used color. In this case they were painted white.
The next task was the globes. I had these for years in shiny blue and pink colors. Did I mention that I would put everything but the kitchen sink on my tree? To rectify that situation, last year I had decoupaged them with paper in red and beige. Here is a picture of last year's tree. I was very happy with the way the globes had turned out but this year I was going for a more toned down look. Less red. 
So what did I do to get rid of the red? You got it, I painted over them using chalky type paint and then regular craft paint. Here they are in the state-of-the-art assembly line drying.
You can see that they have loads of texture from last years' decoupaging.
I also had a bunch of wedding favors that I shaped into wreaths and removed all signs of colored ribbons.
I used thin and thick gold ribbons to go around the tree. 
And let's not forget the star. Last year it was a golden color with a sponge like effect. Well you know I was not going to leave it alone...
This is my whitewashed star, with hints of its former self underneath. 
At the bottom of the tree, nestled in between the empty boxes is the Nativity which is the reason all this is being done in the first place. We must never forget that.
Oh and the string on the ornament was from an old tassel I had. Just to be super frugal!
No matter how hard I tried, I just could not get rid of the red.
Sentimental pieces have a way of always sneaking in, here and there. 
And that is how to upcycle a Christmas tree on the cheap. It still has lots of color on it but it does not look like last year's version which had everything but the kitchen sink.
I am learning to downsize and work with less color. I don't know if this is the right direction. Perhaps if the lighting was all white it would have looked better. Either way I had a budget to work with and those lights are in next year's budget. So what do you say? Did I pull it off, or was this metallic and white idea an epic fail? Don't be shy. And tell me what you decided upon for your Christmas tree. I need fresh ideas for next year. Merry Christmas everyone! 
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40 Comments
12/7/2016 06:28:57 am
They look great Mary. I love white and metallics in the tree. The white ornaments just pop out!
Mary
12/8/2016 12:38:03 pm
And the best part Zografia, they cost nothing! I'd rather spend my money on presents for the kids. Oh yes you definitely pulled it off Mary. I can only see the barest hint of red and it matches the silver, white and golds you've baked, re-purposed or blown up ;-) Christmas decoration can be so horribly expensive and you've used what you had a flipped the tree into a new chalky cookie dimension.
Mary
1/28/2017 11:16:19 am
I tried really hard Michelle. I think this may have been the hardest thing to do, hide the red at Christmastime. 12/7/2016 07:31:58 am
Hello Mary, 12/7/2016 08:07:52 am
Yep, you pulled it off, Mary! And it looks great! It's always fun to make your own ornaments! I need to take my own advice and make enough for my trees, but I've had my mostly purple ornaments for over 30 years and don't want to go to the expense of replacing them. So I take comfort in making a few here and there each year. Hope you continue to enjoy getting ready for this holiday season!
Victoria
1/8/2017 07:23:13 pm
Are your purple ornaments ball shaped? If you like a silver look, try using Krylon mirror spray paint on those purple ornaments to upcycle them. Or gold, silver, or copper paint would also work. Once painted, you can add sparkle with a simple pattern of glue lines dipped in glitter. 12/7/2016 09:07:15 am
White is my fav color, especially against a dark green tree, so yes, you pulled it off! 12/7/2016 10:54:05 am
So, I'm of the opinion that all Christmas trees are beautiful, but what makes them really special is the individual touches each person/family puts on them. There could be no tree int the world that says 'Mary created me' more than this one. this tree epitomizes your crafty/recycle nature and is the perfect reflection of you. I actually like that the colors peek out from under their new coats of paint...reminding you of their history. 12/7/2016 11:59:22 am
The tree is beautiful. I love what you did to change the look and it only took some paint and your skill. You know me and my buddy "white", Mary! So no need to say more! Love your tree and how you did sneak in some reds and copper tones, it looks really beautiful and I agree with Lynn, it's so you and I really like you! Have a wonderful Christmas time and enjoy sitting next to the tree in front of that cozy fire, I wish I could join you! Mary, I like the ornaments...the ones with texture and the ones your stove "ruined," but aren't ruined at all. For a first attempt, looks like they came out looking nice. You did good with recycling your tree. From your title, I thought you were going to give us early advice on how to recycle the whole tree, or something. LOL. Mary, I love your salt dough ornaments!! I've always wanted to make some of those. I like how they got puffy and no worries about the color, that's what paint is for right!? I remember the keys on your roasted Christmas tree, such a fantastic touch! We have a different tradition when it comes to our ornaments. Our tree is full of lots of different color and it suits our family, just like your tree suits you and yours. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to decorate a Christmas tree, whatever you think looks pretty and however you want to make it special for you and your family . :) I love your Christmas tree, it's soooo beautiful!!! Oh, my! I was literally laughing out loud when I saw the ornaments after they came out of the oven! I can totally relate to such diy fails but you turned ashes into beauty! I am with you on the trends, ect. I love to look at them but when all is said and done I still want to see my old favorites that invoke happy memories of places and people. Maybe I need two trees! Thanks for sharing. It all looks wonderful and Christmas cozy! 12/8/2016 08:58:05 am
First of all Mary, I love your determination to make the burned salt dough ornaments work - very clever! I also love how you repurposed the wedding favors into pretty little wreaths. Your more neutral colored tree is very nice and that says a lot coming from the girl who loves red and has it splattered all over her tree! 12/8/2016 01:20:11 pm
Very good Mary! Christmas tree is beautiful! I support the idea that not buy new decorations every year! That makes no sense!! ;-) 12/9/2016 09:53:09 am
A beautiful tree and great tips, well worth stopping by, Mary :-) 12/9/2016 11:16:52 am
Mary, you are so clever when it comes to reimagining new uses for things! Your tree came out great! 12/9/2016 03:23:58 pm
I think your tree looks gorgeous Mary and I love the white. We haven't put our tree up yet, normally it has a very Victorian look to it decorated in red and gold - not sure how it'll turn out this year yet :) You never fail to amaze me, Mary; even salvaging your burnt ornaments! I love your beautiful tree, as there is never an ugly Christmas tree. Our tree stays pretty much the same every year with just a few tweaks here and there. We have too many ornaments that hold tons of memories. Merry Christmas, my friend! 12/10/2016 06:21:26 am
Mary I love your tree this year! Even more that you used your imagination and crafty self to give it a new look...I liked last years too. I get bored with the same ornaments each year too and hate spending money for a 1 year event. The salt dough ornaments look great in white and metallic too:) Happy Holidays!
You are DIY whiz all year, Mary, and your magic is merrily evident here, in your beautifully rustic 2016 Christmas tree!
Jan
12/11/2016 10:39:53 am
Mary, I think your tree is beautiful! I'm also amazed at how you turned those burnt salt dough ornaments into something beautiful anyway. I'm afraid I'm the type that just might have wept and wailed over their overdone state and when finished with the wailing, would have mixed up a new batch of dough and started over. Duh! Paint them instead. How clever are you?
Mary
1/28/2017 11:39:03 am
Jan I am so glad you reached out to me. I am sorry for taking so long to reply but it has been a very hectic two months. I hope that you were able to give your class room the special Christmas that they deserve and made them feel unique, on this most unique of holidays. Hope you had wonderful holidays and I am looking forward to hearing from you again.
We are still very much at the bung everything on stage of tree decorating in our house but I'm loving your toned down classy tree too.
Amber Harrop
12/13/2016 03:45:22 am
I love your tree Mary and I love the story about the salt dough ornaments( we have all been there !! when a recipe burns ). Your ornaments turned out great though. 12/13/2016 07:53:14 pm
I understand the feel of wanting a change when it comes to Christmas Tree decorations. I got tired of mine after a few years, so each year I would stalk the after Christmas sales for decorations I could use on next years tree. I now have 3 completely different color schemes that I change every year. It keeps things fresh and exciting. I think your tree is more on trend than you realize I have been seeing metallic with white accents all over this holiday. Great choice 12/15/2016 12:04:31 pm
I really loved everything and especially the decoupage texture on the balls! Your tree is full of magic! 1/2/2017 10:37:18 am
I love the way it turned out. I am a huge fan of the white mixed in with the green and metallic. Our decorations are white, black, silver and cobalt blue. I mix them up each year, but the base stays the same. I have added a bit of burlap, I am so infatuated with burlap! LOL
Shirley
11/1/2018 10:14:24 am
Oh my..this reminds me so much of our first Christmases when we first married. We hadn’t been married long and hubby went in the military, Air Force. We were stationed in Japan and on an airman’s pay, who could afford ornaments, a tree and presents, food, etc. I had no ornaments of my own yet so of course I made my own, tree topper and all. Each year after that I continued to make all my own ornaments. It was the highlight of Christmas for us, alone with no family to share with. After 43 years I still make a lot of my own and still enjoy doing so. I love your deco/ painted balls and your wonderfully burnt dough....ah the memories!
Mary
11/1/2018 11:56:18 am
Shirley it is comments like yours that make me happy to have a blog and to be able to connect with all you like minded people. I understand more than anyone the joy of creating your own things no matter how imperfect they are. There is a story in each one of those hand crafted pieces. And that is what makes them so special. Thank you so much for your comment. 12/4/2018 12:56:04 am
A great outcome. Upcycling is very good for our environment. Your tree looks lovely. Since you asked, we are going blue, white and natural this Christmas. Been planning since August. Yes, we will do a bit of handmade. I’m running out of time, it’s December 2018 already!
Mary
12/4/2018 11:55:36 pm
Cath you better get moving. I am pretty much finished and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I think your tree will look lovely I hope you post it on the blog so we can see it. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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I'm Mary and I recently moved to New York from beautiful Greece. I like to re-purpose and up-cycle anything that is old or looks like junk. Join me as we use our creativity to spark some life into old things. And do it frugally! You will also see lots of photography of my Greece and New York. Follow me
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