Fresh Pine Swag
By Mia Rotell
Christmas tree farms are the pinnacle of the season. Drinking hot cocoa on foggy nights while the smell of pine fills the air. Trucks get loaded up with trees and are each sent off on their merry ways. But Christmas tree lots don’t have to be exclusive to Christmas trees. Fresh pine branches that fall on the ground can be swooped up and made into beautiful swag pieces for a door or wall — especially with colorful ornaments to make it eye-catching.
What You Need:
1 pair of scissors
5-7, 12-18-inch pine sprigs
Baker’s twine (or any type of string)
Ribbon
Ornaments to hang on the swag
A trash bag
How to Do It:
Step 1: With a trash bag, go to a Christmas tree farm, or anywhere that sells fresh-cut Christmas trees, and grab the freshest, greenest branches on the ground. Lowe’s and The Home Depot allow customers to go in and take the fallen pine branches. Make sure to let the employees know what you’re doing first!
Step 2: After the desired pine branches have been collected, bunch them together with the stump up and pine-needle side down — make sure to put the biggest in the back and the shortest in the front! The branches can be sharp and easy to cause injury — handle with care!
Step 3: With a string or baker’s twine, double-wrap the top and tie a tight double knot — cut off the excess.
Step 4: Tie a bow with pretty ribbon over the knot made in the previous step.
Step 5: Hang it by the ribbon. It’s best if it’s hung inside because the sun isn’t beating directly down on it, and the pine aroma will fill the area it’s in.
Step 6: After hanging the swag, get the desired ornaments and hang them on the branches. This may be tough because the branches are going down, so getting easily shapeable ornament hooks and tightly wrapping them around the branches will secure them in place. Using string to tie the ornaments to a branch will also work.
Step 7: The swag is finished!
Tip: Most places that sell fresh Christmas trees allow people to take the fallen pine branches, especially Christmas tree lots or farms — ask beforehand to make sure they are okay with it! Due to safety hazards, Costco doesn’t allow people to take their fallen branches.
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