A Tree For Jon

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((HUGS)))))) To All ~

Jon needs a Christmas tree for his room, and we need ideas desperately.

For years, he tolerated the fake Christmas tree in the corner of his room, but last year, we bought him a new one, and Jon became congested. We read about the off-gassing issues associated with artificial trees, connected the dots, and down it came. His congestion cleared.

Jon has a collection of his own ornaments, and he loves the lights on the tree.

We were thinking of a potted real tree (not pine, perhaps ficus, maybe even a palm), but we're not sure whether he would have any kind of negative physical reaction to one, and we don't want anything sucking the oxygen out of his room!

Jim could probably construct a tree out of wood. But that probably will never happen. We bought a new dishwasher in February, and it's still sitting on the patio, waiting for him to install it. He has about 5,000 things on his "to do" list. Building a Christmas tree isn't one of them.

So far, the only idea that I've conjured is using a cone shaped wire plant/garden stake. Painting it green. Stringing lights and hanging the ornaments off of the wire rungs around the cone. Jim liked my idea, but then, it gets him off of the hook for coming up with an alternative. A wicker cone would be better, but I can't find such a thing on the internet. My mom had one in the 1960's, which she painted white, flocked with red and gold glitter, and decorated with red and gold ornaments. It was very "modern," and quite pretty.

I used to be much craftier and more inventive than I am now. I miss those days, but I just don't seem to have it in me any more. Energy, that is. So, I'm asking for your help.

Please don your crafting hats now and ponder our predicament.

Jon needs a Christmas tree. What do you suggest?

Open to all ideas ~ nothing can be worse than mine!

Thank You!

Love & Light,

Rose

[Tamie]

How about a manzanita branch? They are pretty, have a lot of small branches for hanging ornaments, and is strong enough for the heaver ones, are real and can be put into a large pot and weighted down so it won't tip and you can string lights on it. We did this for my daughters wedding in Big Bear. It was beautiful. Hope you find something that works.

[Donna Thomson]

Rose, do you mind if i post this on my social media sites without names or anything in order to 'crowd source' a solution? I have a lot of artist friends including my sister. But if you prefer, I would happy just ask her! xoD

[andromeda31]

Hi!

What a bummer about the tree! Just a thought....does it have to be a tree to display the ornaments? Perhaps string some kind of string/fishing string (clear) between 2 nails or screws close to the ceiling (or whatever height works good for you to reach if you don't like ladders) and and hang the ornaments all around the room? Not sure how flat he lays. In our old house, I had tulle going around the top of Caitlin's room...just pounded nails in every yard or so and tied the tulle to the nails with a rubber band (so nails were not visible)...like instead of crown molding it was tulle. Then you could weave christmas lights along the string to jazz it up! 2012 March 001.jpg I attached a pic here (if that worked)...at the scrapbook retreats they string a string and hang pages from it...kindof gives an idea of what I'm trying to describe!

Lisa O.

[Donna Thomson]

Hi Rose, I asked my sister Karen who is an artist (you can see her work on her website triple w dot karenthomson dot com. And this is what she suggests for a tree:
My friend Meredith Caron always has a lovely, magical "tree" made of red branches put in a glass vase. She hangs only clear crystal decorations from the branches and lights candles in the room. It is one of the most beautiful non-tree Christmas trees I've ever seen.
It does sound beautiful! xoD

[Swanton Bomb]

I did not look too deeply into these trees, but perhaps Jon will see one that he likes ^^

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[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Tamie, Donna, Lisa, & Swanton Bomb))))))

Thank you all for your terrific ideas.

Swanton Bomb ~ I found that website last year, when I searched for alternative Christmas trees. I loved several of them, but the links led to nowhere! I was so disappointed. You are right; they are great options.

Lisa ~ The photo worked. Thank you for sharing it to clarify your instructions! I mean that sincerely. It's a very clever idea.

Jon is upright in his bed (for tube feedings, he must be at 30 degrees or more, and he has a good visual range of his room, which is decorated in his favorite sports teams banners and photos. Access to the ceiling is awkward, as his room is full of furniture, his giant hospital bed, his lift, oxygen concentrator, other equipment ... I'm sure that I couldn't do it, as it would require standing on a step stool and stretching. I try not to do anything precarious anymore, where I could fall and break a hip. (Things you think of after you turn 60 ... and then some ...)

Tamie ~ I have never heard of manzanita branches, so I did a search, and they are quite nice. Another friend suggested willow branches.

Donna ~ Since your sister mentioned branches also, I'm leaning toward this concept. I have to think of what to put them in, and how to weight them down, but I have a ton of options there with vases, baskets, bowls ...

The branches are trees, which is the effect I most want to achieve for Jon, because he really loved that he had a tree in his room. Last Christmas, we had to repeatedly explain to him that the tree had to go, because it was making him ill. When he started feeling better, he understood about his tree.

For many years, our house looked like the Christmas Store exploded in it, but I just do not have the energy to decorate like that anymore. So, I focus on Michael's room, where we will have his artificial tree, and the many ornaments we've been given in the past 10 years in his memory, and Jon's room. Jon has spent a few Christmases in the hospital, so we try to make his Christmases as cheerful and fun as possible at home. He has a slew of Christmas movies, which he loves, and that tree is just an important part of the atmosphere.

So, I'm going to explore the branches! I'll try to post a photo of the finished product ~ but that might be a month from now!

Thank you all again for your creative ideas!

Love & Light,

Rose

[Mike Weins]

Have you looked into "half trees" (or corner trees)? The veteran's home here uses about 2 dozen different ones throughout the main living quarters. They look really nice when decorated

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