Arts

With Christmas just round the corner, it’s time to pull out the old boxes filled with tinsel, baubles, wreaths and more to get your homes ready for the season. And often taking pride of place in many homes is the Christmas tree. However in a year, when we have all had to confront the new normal, some creative people have chosen to try something different than the traditional Christmas tree and decor.

Ever thought of a book tree? This season Cafe Kumbuk in Colombo encouraged people to drop off children’s books (both second-hand and new) to construct a Christmas tree by piling the donated tomes artistically one on top of the other. At the end of the festive season, the books will be donated through the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan to schools and orphanages.

Marine biologist Raechel Kadler together with her friends and family incorporated their love for the sea by creating a tree made out of driftwood collected over days spent exploring the island’s beaches and jazzing it up with some fairy lights.

Flat against a wall is Arriane Van Gramberg’s tree. A student at ACBT, she used tinsel, baubles and ornaments to fashion this striking tree.

Bamboo is an ecological alternative for cotton which is more sustainable and eco-friendly thus making it perfect to those wanting to lower their carbon footprint. Kandygs Handlooms have made the sweetest handwoven ornaments out of pure cotton and pure bamboo fabric.

Graphic designer Arunthathi Thiyagarajah whose wish is to create a plastic-free environment designed an upcycled Christmas Tree to spread awareness and convey that message this season.

Using empty flower pots from her garden, poles which had been left over during a home renovation and newspapers and waste paper from calendar prints from a nearby printing place, she was able to create an interesting Christmas tree by upcycling materials around her.

Thinking out of the box, blogger Pranooshini Anandaraja (@life_of_an_island_girl) on the other hand, put old cardboard boxes to good use making Santa Claus decor with them for her family, each box filled with gifts for her family to open on Christmas day.

So get thinking. Maybe you too can get creative with your Christmas tree this season!

 

Keeping that familiar seasonal music alive

Deck your home with something new or old

Sharing the holiday cheer with baked seasonal goodies