I am such a sentimental person which is what makes this live Christmas tree ornament so special to me. My husband and I love getting a live Christmas tree when we can. We don’t always get one every year and find ourselves putting up the artificial tree too, but we love when we have a live one.
I must first make a confession that this ornament I am sharing with you isn’t the actual cut of our live Christmas tree when we were first married. We did get a live tree our first Christmas married together but unfortunately I had not thought of this idea until later and by then of course it was too late. The reason I am still showing this is just as an example to yall so that if you are interested then you will be able to.
This is also a great idea to tell any of your single or engaged friends who may want to do something like this once they are married. It would be fun to cut off a section of their live tree each year and have them dated each year.
The idea is to cut the end of your live Christmas tree every year and then hang it the next year on your tree for an ornament. A piece of each year’s Christmas memories can go along with you for years to come. Many times it is hard to remember what we have done each year at Christmas, but this ornament is a small piece of that specific year.
What you will need:
Live Christmas tree
Chain saw
Miter saw
Drill
Sharpie
Ribbon
In order to enjoy your ornament the current year, you could go ahead and cut the end of your live Christmas tree when you get it home with the chain saw, but it may be difficult to get it smooth.
I would suggest cutting the stump of the tree off at the end of the year with a chain saw and then cutting a smaller section the width you want for your ornament with a miter saw. The miter saw will help give you a smoother finish.
Next drill a hole in the top of the tree section in order to put a ribbon through it to hang it on your Christmas tree. The size of the drill bit depends on what you would like.
Add your ribbon through the hole and tie in a bow.
Write on your ornament anything that you would like to remember.
For example as I have shown, you could write “Our First Christmas” on the front and write the year on the back of the ornament.
Other fun things to write may be anything that was memorable to your family that particular year. I just used a black sharpie.
You are now ready to hang it on your tree.
This is such a simple idea but also so sentimental and special. Whenever my mother has pulled out things of hers and my dad’s when I was younger or when they were dating, it was always special to me. Your kids will also enjoy looking back at the tree ornament each year and remembering the good times.
Enjoy your fun family memories which really is just the small things in life!
Also please check out the other fun Christmas ideas in the 12 Days of Christmas series. Yesterday I shared a fun countdown to get you in the spirit of Christmas with your children using miniature ornaments.
Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.
This is such a wonderful idea! I love how simple it is and cost effective.
Thank you! It sure is because you have already bought the tree but is a great way to keep the memories.
Cute idea. My tree is full of handmade ornaments made by my kids throughout the years. Those are the best kind, the ones with meaning behind them. 🙂
They are the best ones. My mom never had a themed tree when I was growing up. She always said that the homemade ornaments me and my sister made were the best ones.
I plan on trying this with my granddaughter over the break. Thank you!!
I am so glad to hear that. You won’t regret it for years to come when you unpack your Christmas decorations and find it. She will also love it and will make great memories with you.
Adorable! I love these kinds of crafts, when they’re easy enough for the little ones to get involved too.
Yes I do too and the kids absolutely love it! It makes them feel so big and special when they can help too.
Love how simple this idea is! :]
Thank you! Very easy but cute!
What a sweet idea! I am not the crafty type so we bought a special ornament and have done so for our kids, and their sig other’s although neither are married yet they have been in their relationships for a long time. Very good idea!
That is an awesome idea. My parents would also buy me and my sister a new ornament for each year. This is just a great way to keep a part of your tree each year.
That looks so easy but so cute!
That’s really cool. I don’t have a chainsaw though.
What a great idea. I love family keepsakes.
Thank you! I do too. I am so sentimental about things like that.