How to Put Up a Christmas Tree in September

I love to rush a season. My husband however, does not. So when I start rummaging through the Christmas stuff in September, he lets out a big exasperated sigh. And hopes that I’m looking for my Snowy White Christmas Tree Skirt to take photos or measurements.

This year, I had an idea. I would combine the ghosts that everyone was making with tomato cages and cheese cloth…and use it to put a Christmas tree up in September. My kiddos love ghosts, especially cute ones. So I was giddy over this one. Partially because I get to put something up early, and partially because my kiddos loved their Christmas Gnome so much we’ve put up a magic door in the wall and had a Halloween one visit. Also, their behavior has tanked so I might have used his gnome to inspire better listening. So it makes sense to have them come and put up their trees and make them Halloween themed.

What You Need to Put Up a Christmas Tree in September:

All you need is a tree, and and a bit of fabric. Later I plan on adding some ghost themed garland. Put the tree up where you want it to live. Find your swath of fabric. Mine was extra fabric that I had bought for embroidery projects. Using it up is an excuse for me to be able to buy more later. That and I have been wanting to get felt to make ornaments so this would have sat around for a while.

Once your tree is up, drape your white fabric. You can even use an old bed sheet. Finesse the branches and get your tree just right, identify where the ghosts face would be and cut your eye holes.

The result is a muted light, in a thematic decoration, without having to buy styrofoam balls, tomato cages, wire, etc. You could also add sticks or wire to fan out the sheet and give the ghost arms.

A Bit of Magic:

I put these trees up and “decorated” them while the kids were outside working in the yard with their dad. Then I got their gnome out – he’s like our version of the Elf on the Shelf, just more European. We got him from Aldi and I really hope they bring him back this year. The little guy came with a box of props and things to make the 25 days of Christmas a bit more magical and easy on the elves if you catch my snow drift.

We also have a “letters to Santa” mailbox which I grabbed and put between their rooms. On themed paper and using all caps I printed a note from Felix and Elphaba, their Gnomes. In the note it explains that they managed a bit of magic for the kids and they hoped that they liked them. If they listen to Mom and Dad they might be able to work a bit more Magic before Christmas. What can I say, I’m not over using Christmas as a bargaining chip (and yes we are teaching the faith based meaning of Christmas too and we’ll have more on that to come), and I’m just a big kid myself.

After Halloween:

Simply take the sheet off and you’re ready to decorate for Christmas! My daughter’s room tree is a bit of a gingerbread or candy theme so I may be tempted to decorate her’s early. My son’s Christmas Tree theme is a bit of an evolving one so we’ll see what he picks this year. We love getting to put these trees together and the kids adore having a bit of a say in the holiday decorations.