Christmas Tree Project!

This project is a great way to reuse an old tree if you want a new look but don't want to get a new tree, or if you can't afford one of those fancy flocked trees. It would be great to freshen up a used tree as well!

Before I begin, I'd like to thank my fiance's family for kindly offering this tree to us since they were no longer using it. They knew we were low on money, and this will be our first Christmas together in our own house so it's very exciting!

I get ideas in my head that I like to call visions, and when I get those visions it's hard for me to do or think of anything else. I really had my heart set on a beautiful white flocked Christmas tree, but alas it was not at an affordable price. With bills and Christmas gifts, it simply wasn't in the budget.

As I was speaking with my mom about reaching into my savings to splurge for the tree, we discussed trying to make our own snowy tree instead. So, I headed to Walmart and tried it out!  I'm going to share this so that other people who may be struggling and would like to save $100+ to use for Christmas gifts can try it as well--or if you'd just like a fun Christmas project to do while spicing up the classic Christmas tree!  We did this for under $20

You'll need some white spray paint, depending on the size of your tree and how much paint you want to use you'll need between 2 - 6 cans.  I bought 4 and ended up using 3 on this 7ft tree.  At Walmart these were only about $1 each!

Spray in circular motions, one branch at a time.  If your tree has branches that come off individually, you should be able to do this inside easily, by laying them out on some newspaper, plastic, or an old sheet/drop cloth.  This tree comes off into three big sections, so it was a bit trickier.  I started with the bottom, pulling each branch away from the others so I could spray them separately.  The paint doesn't have to be even, you can play around with how much white you want to show up, it could be just a dusting of 'snow' or you can add even more, that's up to you!   :)  I added a lighter layer underneath the branches, but you don't have to do this.

 

This is the first branch with just one layer of white spray paint and it's already starting to look snowy!  

The next thing you'll need is snow!  

This is the brand we used, also picked up from Walmart, and it was only $1.50!  Keep in mind that this stuff isn't made to coat your entire tree thickly like flocking, but it adds a soft snowy and textured effect that looks beautiful on top of the already spray painted branches--and it's easy on the wallet!  

Just one layer of spray paint and one layer of 'snow' and the contrast is striking!

You can play around with it and add more layers, you can make it even or you can make it random, a little thicker here, a little less there, it's all up to you!  If you do choose to do this inside (both the white spray paint and the snow), make sure you open a lot of doors and windows and cover your floors if you don't want them getting covered in a layer of powder, haha!  

Here's a close up look of the 'snow' on the branches

The snow will flake off here and there, but more can easily be added if you desire, especially since it's so inexpensive!  You can also use spray glue and sprinkle pieces of fake snow onto the branches if you'd like a thicker snow effect.  Another idea that I had found, but was a more expensive option, was using textured popcorn ceiling patch paint as the 'snow'.  And I may add some glitter to mine later! 

I bought this but have not tested it yet, I'll post updates later if/when I do!  

Once the tree was put back together, I added more 'snow' all over!  

Here you can see some of the powder on the floor (spray outside if you want to minimize clean up!)

Gave my kitty white paws haha!

I'd like to mention that this paint is non-toxic when dry, but use at your own risk and be careful around children and animals.

This tree has multicolored lights built in, I just sprayed over those and when lit up they look more pastel than they did originally.  Since I'm not a fan of multicolored lights, I liked the pastel look more, but went ahead and added clear lights.  I took pictures of both.

Multicolored lights with pastel effect from spray paint

Adding clear lights, I definitely prefer this look!

Now to add ornaments and finish the look!

If you try this, we'd love to see your pictures!  If you've already done something like this before, feel free to share those as well!  If you have any other ideas that aren't suggested here, we'd love to hear them!  :)

I hope you liked this blog, good luck and Happy Holidays!

*Disclaimer, these are just my experiments, feel free to use different brands or products.  I know some paint can be flammable so be careful and do not add lights until it is fully dry.  There are some heat resistant paints I believe if you would rather choose to use those.  We don't plan to leave our Christmas tree lights turned on while we aren't home.  Have fun and be safe!  :)

Change

 I have been through a lot, and there is so much that people don't know about me. I've heard a lot of assumptions from people, both good and bad, about how they think my life seems based on what they have seen on social media. I went through a really rough time in my life a few years ago. Right after one bad relationship ended, another one started. In my vulnerable emotional state I was easily manipulated into thinking that was what I needed. I was fed a lot of lies that I believed.


That person turned into someone I didn't even recognize by the end of the relationship. He told me that I was pathetic and worthless. He acted like my opinions and anything I said didn't matter. He told me that my photography was terrible, and acted as if I would never go anywhere in life without him. He laughed at me after he made me cry and he showed no remorse and no emotions. For a long time, he messed with my head, even after we were no longer together. I've had some bad times in my life, like everyone else, but this one person made me feel a sadness I had never felt before, a hurt so bad that sometimes I can still feel it. I still can not understand how someone could be so cruel and heartless, especially someone who said they loved me.


I've been avoiding talking about this for years, but looking back I am amazed at how much has changed and how far I have come. I gave up so much for him that I lost myself and I've been trying to find myself again for so long. I've done that through various passions, which I've poured my heart and body into. I've pushed myself harder than ever to be happy and free. I used to think that I needed someone to make me happy, but I really just needed to learn how to find happiness in myself.


I've learned that you need to find happiness in yourself before you're truly happy in a relationship with someone else. When you find the person that supports what you do, even if they disagree with it, then you should hold onto that person. Someone that sets restrictions and rules to a relationship and acts like you have no say, is not someone to be with. Don't let false love blind you, no matter how much real love you may feel and give to them. Save it for someone who deserves it, even if that means yourself for a while. There's no point in rushing love and happiness, it will happen.


Things in my life are finally falling into place and there are some big things heading my way. This year is going to be full of even more changes and I've never felt happier in my life! It may seem like things are taking forever to finally work out, trust me I know haha! But it will happen, you just have to work at it and never give up. I've made so many changes and I've surprised myself many times with how strong I've become, both mentally and physically. I've accomplished goals, big and small, that I never thought I could.


  Congratulate yourself on even the smallest of accomplishments. If you try something and you don't like it, don't be discouraged, try something else and keep experimenting with new ideas, whether you enjoy art or a sport, hiking or gaming, do what makes you happy and never give up. :)