CHRISTMAS trees can be one of the priciest parts of the festive season – with some artificial ones costing upwards of £1,000.
So it’s no wonder a mum has been praised after showing how she made her cheap tree look a whole lot more expensive, in just a few seconds.
Gem took to TikTok to share a video of herself alongside her tree, which looked bushy and festive as it sat next to the wall.
However, as the video continued, she showed the clever way she’d transformed the otherwise fairly sparse tree.
Gem was then seen turning the tree round – with the back almost entirely branch free, as she’d moved all of the branches to the front to give it a much fuller look.
“Suppose that’s what I get for buying a cheap chaddy Christmas tree,” she wrote over the top of the TikTok.
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“Where there’s a will there’s a way!”
People quickly took to the comments section to praise Gem for sharing the hack, one wrote: “That’s weirdly genius!!! Space saving too!”
“That’s actually genius!” another agreed.
“Oh I am so doing this that year,” a third commented.
“Omg why have I not thought of this?” someone else asked.
“And fits better in the corner too,” another pointed out.
“Oooohh you might have just saved Christmas for me and hubby because THAT is the perfect solution to my space problem,” someone else gushed.
While others pointed out that an adjustment may need to be made if Gem’s hack is tried by others.
“Such a good idea, just watch not too front heavy as may tip,” one wrote.
“Been doing this for years, but make sure you tie it with string and anchor on the wall because too many decorations on makes it tilt forward,” another said, adding that they’d “learnt the hard way”.
And some other comments came from people sharing their own time and money saving festive hacks.
“I only decorate the front half as well!” one wrote.
Tips to make your home smell like Christmas
IF you want your home to smell festive this season, you’ve come to the right place…
- Simmer Potpourri: Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peels, and cranberries for a warm, festive aroma.
- Essential Oils: Use a diffuser with essential oils such as pine, peppermint, and frankincense to evoke the spirit of Christmas.
- Bake Seasonal Treats: The smell of fresh-baked gingerbread, mince pies, or spiced biscuits can fill your home with holiday cheer.
- Scented Candles: Light candles with fragrances like mulled wine, fir tree, or spiced apple to create a cosy atmosphere.
- Decorate with Fresh Greenery: Incorporate fresh pine, holly, and eucalyptus into your decorations for a natural, Christmassy scent.
- Make Your Own Pomanders: Stud oranges with cloves and hang them around the house for a traditional and aromatic touch.
- Use Simmering Spices: Boil a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in water on the stove to infuse your home with a holiday fragrance.
- Try Reed Diffusers: Place reed diffusers with Christmas-themed scents around your home for a continuous, subtle aroma.
“You can get some green tinsel that is matte and not glossy,” another said.
“It’s good if your tree is sparse in the centre – just wrap it round the inside, tuck it right into the centre.”
“another hack to make it taller,” a third shared.
“Get a tall plant pot fill with polystyrene and rocks and it gives another foot and a half.”
