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Ideas For DIY

Finally A “Forever” Christmas Tree

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We spend Christmas with family in Australia and let me say finding a “Real” Christmas tree is like finding a pine needle in a present stack. The local stores sell trees that are alive but you’re lucky if they are 2 ft tall and under $100. Their limbs are so weak that you put the Angel on top first, so that she can pray for the branches to bear the weight of the ornaments. So when Balsamhill.com.au wanted to send me a Norway spruce I was very excited to try out their tree.

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When I opened the box I was a little worried and thought “what the heck?” It not only came with instructions it came with a set of gloves in a little zip bag. I didn’t find the needles spiky or a need for the gloves, perhaps these are better suited to the amazing lighted Christmas trees.

Let me just say it took me less than 2 mins to put up (add another 5 mins for sprucing out the needles) to put the tree together. Oh and 2 extra mins cause I still had to put the gloves on and do a little Michael Jackson sing song.

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The stand is not plastic like most tree’s  and will last a lifetime and folds flat.

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The pine needles are thick and not brittle or fragile at all. Which will make packing it down a lot easier if I don’t have to be pedantic at gently pushing it into the bag (it comes with one for storage).

I decided I didn’t want to add any ornaments, not this year at least. I want it to look beautiful and natural and real. However I think when the kids get home from school they will start adding ornaments. I will first convince them it is real. My only disappointment is that it doesn’t smell real. I think i’ll add some of Balsam’s Scented Ornaments.

The trees not only come in varying sizes, they come in different shapes and even frosted. Frosted Christmas Tree.

But wait it gets even better they have a 50% off sale on right now.

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Thank you Balsam Hill. We love our new Realistic Christmas Tree.

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Comments

  1. I’m Australian and we don’t grow the Christmas trees that countries with colder climates have. For one pine trees are not native to this country and shouldn’t be grown here either. Natural ground covers can’t grow under them and thus our native animals gain no benefit from them either. But, it’s nice to see someone has come up with a tree that has that full Douglas fir look, at last.

  2. Wow, way to get the Aussies offside. Our tree is always real, at least 6 foot tall and 3 foot in diameter and has never cost more than $60. Glad you like your new plastic tree though.

Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!