Each year, a good number of people try to one-up their own Christmas tree game from last year and go for designs that range from unorthodox to creative to witty to just downright awesome. Well, even more unorthodox, creative, etc.

For the record, there ain’t nothing wrong with keeping it simple. But if you’re out for that internet karma, simple is not the name of the game.

To give you an example of what is not simple, take the Christmas book tree at St. Pancras Station. Not only do the booths at the bottom read you stories, but just the sheer size of it makes you gape in awe.

And if size is a criterion, then why not do the same with porta potties. Except you probably won’t be told a story, but poop-and-surf is a thing.

But if you want to keep it at a more reasonable scale, then maybe a human-sized tree in the shape of Godzilla (Treezilla?) would work for you?

The tree design is featured in the article, and it was actually previously covered by Bored Panda on a different occasion. It’s amazing what 10 meters of chicken wire, a weed mat, plastic teeth, paper claws, Christmas lights, tree décor and four different firs can lead to.

Whatever you decide, though, keep the planet in mind. While there are many alternatives out there, the closest that you get to having a living Christmas tree is renting one.

Bored Panda actually wrote about this back in 2020, specifically about the London Christmas Tree Rental offering 3–7 foot high Christmas trees to take home for the season and then returning them afterwards.

The way tree rentals work (at least in the case of the London Christmas Tree Rental) is you come over to the location where all the trees are planted, reserve a tree, and when the time comes, you get it delivered to your place.

“We certainly have seen demand increase for rental trees, more and more people are avoiding buying a cut tree preferring one that can keep living after Christmas,” said Jonathan Mearns, Director of the London Christmas Tree Rental. “Some of our customers have never had a tree because they just don’t like the idea of cutting one down.”

You get to decorate the rented tree however you want, as long as you also take care of it (keep it in a cool place, not damage it, etc.).

“The rental trees can be decorated in exactly the same way. No need to hold back!” added Jonathan. “One of our customers chose their tree because they have had a star in the family for over 20 years so they looked and found a tree that works for their star.”

Once the season is over, folks from the rental come over, evaluate the tree, give you back the deposit, and the tree returns to its home soil. But, there is always the option to keep it, especially if you’ve grown fond of it.

The average 6-foot rotting produces roughly 16 kilograms (35 pounds) of CO2, and you can multiply that by 7 million to get the gist of how much 4 weeks of holiday cheer costs the planet.

The London Christmas Tree Rental, on the other hand, aims to save all the trees, and once they’ve grown to roughly 7 feet, they replant them in a forest.

But, if you don’t mind seeking out other alternatives, the most obvious option is an artificial one. You buy it once and it should last you a good decade or two.

And if buying plastic isn’t an option, there’s always no tree at all.

When we say no tree at all, we mean you can scavenge anything you have around the house to make a tree out of. Just make a silhouette of a tree using some lightweight metal or hangers or pegs.

Heck, it can even be any other tree you have at home. Palm tree, yucca, whatever, slap some Christmas baubles and lights on it and you got yourself one fine looking Christmas attribute at home.

Don’t have a plant? Go hunt down a twig of appropriate size and decorate that. The possibilities are endless.

So, we hope this listicle gave you some ideas for this year or other years to come. And if you’re not fazed by any of this, go back to Mr. Crumpit!

If you happen to be living in the London area, be sure to check out the London Christmas Tree Rental and follow them on social media (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn). They are sold out for this year, but that’s why following them can prove useful for next Advent.

Oh, and here’s more trees from last year’s article.