I struggle with what to do with my tree every year. Let's be honest, we used a little tiny one last year because we were gallivanting all around last year. But it still had its charm. Well sort of.
It is what you get when you are spending Christmas in a condo away from home. But it worked. So this year, I wanted to do a little more since we are just going to be staying at home. I say "do a little" only because we are still poor law students so I can't go all out like I would like to!
We got out the tree and it looked so pretty with even just the white lights on it. I was almost debating letting my lazy side take over and do nothing else to it. But I figured that wouldn't be very fun and a bit Scrooge-ish.
I took some burlap I already had...man, I love that stuff! And I cut it into strips that were about 4-6 inches wide. Seriously, don't tell my mom that they are not straight. She would be horrified to know I just lined the burlap all up and did not straighten it out like I know she has taught me well to do! Then I just draped it around the tree in strips. It instantly looked magical. I could have stopped here because, well it was better than last year but I figured a little more craftiness is always good.
I got some plain round bulbs from the store, half off just like a cheap girl likes.
Some fake snow, which was actually a lot harder to find than I would have thought. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy when I was describing what it was.
Then I grabbed some jute. That seriously could be my new best friend. I love it. And I think it could go on so many things. The wheels were already spinning the instant I set it in the cart.
When I got home, I started working magic with the bulbs. This turned out to be a little more time consuming than I thought it would be. I was glad I stuck with just the snow inside instead of some of the more expensive elaborate ideas I had. I used the very high tech version of pouring snow out on a sheet of paper and stuffing it in with my finger. Yep, very high tech. Then just cut some jute and tied it in a knot through the round thingy on top of the bulb. Look at me sounding so knowledgeable. haha 
But I must say, I L-O-V-E the way it turned out.

So simple and elegant but very much with the spirit of Christmas. And with a toddler and baby, simplicity is exactly what I need in other areas of my life!

And with that, the tree is complete. Well, almost. It still doesn't have anything on top. I am in search of something that finishes it all off. Or maybe I will just leave it as is, like I said, simplicity in all things.

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