How To: Make A Wishing Tree Vase

"A wish tree is an individual tree, usually distinguished by species, position or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings. Such trees are identified as possessing a special religious or spiritual value. By tradition, believers make votive offerings in order to gain from that nature spirit, saint or goddessfulfillment of a wish."

- Wikipedia

    

 I think the concept behind a wishing tree is really beautiful. Although this is not a post about wishing trees in their original uses, this simple and easy craft project is meant to emulate the symbolism of wishes as a really basic how-to make a wishing tree vase for sentimental and meaningful decorations at weddings, showers, and birthday parties.

 

We threw a baby shower for my friend and coworker, Kristie and I helped coordinate decorations. Kristie is having a little girl so we used pink, purple, and yellow.

 

 Wish trees are very easy to make and super affordable.This kind is basically a bouquet of twigs with notes attached and with a little bit of planning, it is practically free, but priceless in terms of sentimentality! I love things like that! This is proof that you don't need to spend an arm and a leg or be super extravagant  or extremely crafty to do something nice for someone.

How To: Make a Wishing Tree...

1. Simply gather branches, a vase, tags or note cards of some kind.

2. After your guests arrive they can write their well wishes for you and attach to the branches.

3. We used premade cardstock circles and mini clothes pin clips. You can also punch a hole and tie with string or purchase pre-made paper luggage tags.

4. Get creative! Come up with ideas for how to attach the wishes in a unique way that fits the theme of your event. Make it funky. Make it elegant. It is up to you!

Ours turned out beautifully and the best part was that at the end of the day Kristie had all these wonderful note to put in her daughter's baby book.

Would you make a wishing tree vase for your shower?

This post is dedicated to Kristie and little Jenna. Kristie recently brought home her little bundle of joy, Jenna. Congrats!

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How Far Would You Go To Save A Buck?

One lady in New York never does laundry and doesn't use toilet paper.

If you are like me,  you are probably thinking,

 "WHAT?!"

That's right. She washes her clothes with the water left in the shower after she washes herself. And she does not use toilet paper. Some people will go the extreme to save money, but I think that we all have a line we wouldn't cross and I definitely would not give up toilet paper unless we were in a survival setting. Granted, if I had one of those fancy bidets, maybe. While this woman is essentially making a low-tech bidet (she rinses and washes with soap instead of using toilet paper), she does " wipe off with a paper towel" when she is done. Let's not even go into the cleanliness issues of reusing a paper towel down there, even just for drying off....

I like saving money, but there is a line between cheap and cheapskate and it is probably the same line between $ and "ew" that I wouldn't cross. I have a good job. I am frugal, not a cheapskate. I have plans for the future that I am saving for. There's a lot I do that most people would not do to save a buck. I buy whole chickens and use all the bits. I make my own laundry detergent.  This, however, is just too too much for me. Perhaps it would make sense in a third world country. Maybe I'm just too socially aware... I'm sort of baffled by this.

Watch TLC's Extreme Cheapskates for yourself and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2211283/Extreme-Cheapskates-Americas-tightest-money-savers-exposed-new-season.html

What do you think?