10 Green Christmas Tree Alternatives to Make Your Holiday Shine

Tis the season to start decorating the house with holiday cheer - but did you know you can get your family into a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-green-holiday-gift-guide-diy-gifts/" target="_blank">festive mood</a> without having to chop down any Christmas trees?&nbsp;Instead, try a gorgeous alternative tree made from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/furniture-and-more-made-from-recycled-paper-and-bovine-waste/" target="_blank">recycled cardboard</a>, sustainable wood, or even LED lights! Your kids will love the many eco Christmas tree alternatives out there, and so will you - read on to see them all!

Made from recycled cardboard, Cardboard Safari's <a href="http://www.cardboardsafari.com/shop/product_CBS1016.php">Alpine Tree</a> is an intricate lattice-like structure that would look perfect on your table or atop the fireplace. Since it's unfinished, you can even color it or add glitter for extra holiday shine. <h3><a href="http://www.cardboardsafari.com/shop/product_CBS1016.php">Cardboard Alpine Tree - $24.99 at Cardboard Safari</a></h3>

Rather than just top your tree with a star, why not have the whole thing made from stars? The Superstar tree is a designer’s delight- and made from clustered Star of Davids. Designed by Modernica Studio, the tree is made from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/quirky-flat-pack-bird-nest-boxes-give-shelter-to-little-winged-creatures/" target="_blank">sustainable birch plywood</a> and comes in bright green or natural wood grain. The two sizes are perfect for a table top décor, or to take place of your family room tree. Just string some popcorn and cranberries, and celebrate with your little stars. <h3><a href="http://modernica.net/index.php?dispatch=products.view&amp;product_id=242" target="_blank">Superstar Tree- $449.99 at Modernica Studio</a></h3>

Sandra Lindner's shimmering <a href="http://lindnerimnorden.com/en/serial-production/x-mas-tree/">candle Christmas tree</a> is comprised of a simple wooden base topped with a symphony of waxen lights. In addition to using natural materials, she works with a handcrafter’s studio for the physically and mentally challenged to assemble the trees. <h3><a href="http://lindnerimnorden.com/en/contact/">Candle Christmas Tree - Contact the artist for pricing</a></h3>

The kids will love this 3 foot tree, made in the USA from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/phoebe-washburns-mind-boggling-installations-are-made-from-scrap-wood-cardboard/" target="_blank">recycled cardboard</a>. Easy to assemble, the tree has 50 cut out ornaments and candy canes, that you and your family can color and paint. You can also hang your own ornaments on the pop-out branches. The tree stores flat to use from year to year, or can be recycled after use! <h3><a href="https://thecardboardtree.com/buy" target="_blank">Cardboard Christmas Tree- $19.99 at The Cardboard Tree</a></h3>

Tech geeks out there can learn to make their very own glowing green tree. Made from LEDs, recycled bathroom pipes and a cubloc controller, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/photoluminescent-cosmos-chandelier-by-fukasawa/" target="_blank">energy efficient tree swirls and lights up a room</a>, while displaying messages of cheer on an LED screen. Created by Zedomax, the entire instructions are available online. <h3><a href="http://zedomax.com/blog/zedomax-diy122-make-a-led-christmas-tree/" target="_blank">DIY LED Christmas Tree- at Zedomax</a></h3>

Give a little <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-danish-design-center-shop-showcases-the-best-in-eco-friendly-scandinavian-design/" target="_blank">Scandinavian flare</a> to your Christmas with the delicately carved branches of the Lovi Birch Wood tree. Easily unfolded and set up, the tree comes in three sizes and is made from sustainable birch. The slim reaching branches can hold all of your favorite ornaments, and can be stored flat when the season is over. <h3><a href="http://shophorne.com/lovi-birch-christmas-tree-lovi-p-960.html?gclid=CK6wuKaJ26wCFRNb7AodwAK6qA" target="_blank">Lovi Birch Wood Christmas Tree- $97.95 at Shop Horne</a></h3>

Etsy crafters Silver Cocoon custom make their sustainable wood table top trees- especially for small apartments. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/organelle-designs-dowel-chair-is-suited-for-storage-and-a-seating-in-one/" target="_blank">dowel “branches”</a> can be strung with garlands and ornaments, and disassembled for easy storage. Each his handmade, and can be custom ordered to suit your needs. <h3><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/17332418/special-order-for-beeatlanta" target="_blank">Dowel Rod Tree- Custom Ordered at Silver Cocoon</a></h3>

The versatile Posiblitree, made from walnut, cherry or birch, can actually be used year round. String up colored eggs at easter, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/14-eco-friendly-jewelry-gifts-to-make-your-special-valentine-sparkle/" target="_blank">add hearts at valentines day</a>, or family photos year round. The layered branches cast gorgeous shadows in any room. Possibilitree uses as much reclaimed deadfall wood as possible. <h3><a href="http://possibilitree.com/" target="_blank">Wooden Possibilitree- $160-$350 at Possibilitree</a></h3>

Beloved Japanese paper retailer MUJI has their own version of a sustainable wooden tree. Ornaments are displayed in cutouts in the wood, and hung on hooks. The tree comes in two sizes, and is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shoe-shaped-wooden-birdhouses-hang-over-urban-power-lines-like-sneakers/" target="_blank">FSC certified</a>. <h3><a href="http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&amp;Sec=21&amp;Sub=88&amp;PID=5444" target="_blank">Wooden Tree- $20-$25 at Muji</a></h3>

Made from 100% recycled cardboard, this six and a half footer comes in a natural tree print, or a nostalgic “Christmas tree of yesteryear” model. A set of energy efficient <a href="http://inhabitat.com/illuminating-light-installations-inspire-visitors-in-durham/" target="_blank">LED light</a>s comes with each tree, and operate at a low voltage- making them safe to use on cardboard. <h3><a href="http://boutique.cascades.com/us/en/catalog/christmas-trees/massimo/" target="_blank">Massimo Cardboard Tree - $99.00 at Cascades</a></h3>

Instead of chopping down a fir, give your apartment the gift of green. Living trees are a great alternative, try a rosemary bush to make a small apartment smell great, or a mini tree to keep the spirit of Christmas year round. You can also <a href="http://inhabitat.com/studio-libels-pillow-pots-create-a-unique-and-plush-indoor-garden/" target="_blank">eat herbal trees</a> after the holidays have passed! <h3><a href="http://www.ftd.com/12265/catalog/product.epl?product_id=PG41&amp;index_id=occasion_christmas_plantswreaths&amp;parent_index=occasion_christmas" target="_blank">Living Rosemary Trees- $69.99 at FTD Flowers</a></h3>

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/samuel-price-dog-portraits/" target="_blank">Made from Avon and LL Bean catalogs</a>, you can create the perfect green Christmas diorama with these 100% recycled paper trees. Show them together, or scatter them around your apartment. The folded pages can even be recycled should the Grinch come to town. <h3><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/36471694/recycled-catalog-trees-set-of-3" target="_blank">Recycled Catalog Tree - $24.95 for 3 at GigglingGnome</a></h3>