Oh, Christmas Tree Collar

I feel as though I've been in the dark about most things since my daughter was born. She comsumes a lot of my life. In a good way of course.

But one day, I stepped a little bit more back into the light. That day was the day I had discovered the existence of Christmas Tree collars.

I was scrolling through Pinterest one night in bed, somewhat drifting off to sleep. I often like to scroll Pinterest before falling asleep so that I might have dreams of successful crafting or hopes of a brilliant creative epiphany I could create and share with the world.

The first Christmas Tree Collar pin I saw was a Target ad. Of course. Instead of the sweet sleep I probably needed, I knew then that I would be awake for at least another hour. I searched "diy Christmas tree collar" and was immediately obsessed. I learned that Christmas tree collars weren't new at all and have been around for quite some time!

The next day, while at a family party, I asked everyone about whether they had ever heard of a Christmas tree collar. I was comforted to find that mostly all of my family had been in the dark as much as I had been.

The message of this new found obsession reached my family on a deeply profound and creative level. Minds were blown and creativity was tapped. We brainstormed various creative ways to make a Christmas tree collar. All the excitement made me determined to make my own Christmas Tree collar this year.

Several weeks went by and the realization that Christmas present funds were beyond tapped out and the pre-Christmas energy level was nearly drained made me doubt my determination.

I was saddened by my imminent failure.

One day, while attempting to declutter the latest round of Amazon boxes, I had an epiphany. I thought to myself, why not use this as a Christmas tree collar? I'll wrap it in wrapping paper and it'll just be a temporary collar until I can work on making a better one!

I had my work cut out for me though. Our tree was already up and decorated. I still wouldn't give up. I was committed. I lifted the box flap so that it would lay completely flat. Then, I cut out the side flaps and the bottom of the box. I grabbed some wrapping paper and measured out pieces for each side of the box. I then "wrapped" the box around the tree and taped the ends back together. Finally, I taped the wrapping paper over the box.

It may not be the prettiest Christmas tree collar. And I'm certain it will get mistaken for the last present to open on Christmas. But for a tired, budget drained mom who sometimes worries she's failing in life, it was perfect.