{Tomato Cage} "I Want Some Lights” Christmas Tree

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It all started because one of my sons is not going to be able to come home for Christmas.  

This is my child who truly loves the wonder of Christmas, especially all of the lights.  When I asked if I could bring him a tree to keep him from feeling like he was missing out on the season, all he said was, I Just Want Some Lights.


So of course my wheels started churning . . . How could I get him some lights and make him feel like he had some Christmas?  What I wanted to bring him was something that was:  easy to transport, easy to put up, no mess, inexpensive, disposable, no need to store anything when done.  You know the typical college, male kind of thing!


What I discovered in my pondering was something wonderful for both him and for me - and hopefully for you as well!  

What I discovered was

Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

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Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!! 

I saw these tomato cage cones sitting on a pallet at Lowe’s and the light bulb went off!  Of course the pallet was way up high, wrapped and stored on the top shelving (tomato cage season is usually in summer!), but the kind sales person at Lowe’s got the pallet down for me, getting as excited as I was and purchasing two for himself as well!


Once I had my idea, the rest was so simple.  

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1.  Determine the height for the tree.  


Tomato cages typically come in 42 and 54 inch height.  






If you desire less than 42", simply cut off one of the rings.  You can use bolt cutters if you have them (something good to keep on hand for around $15) or you can ask the clerk in the shelving department to cut the wire for you, and they are usually happy to do so.

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Two 42 cages - the one on the left had the bottom ring cut off to make it shorter.

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I also cut some of the wire off the top using bolt cutters.


If the 54" is still too short, just put it on a table with a skirt. 

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2.  Wrap the tree.  You can use garland, tinsel, deco mesh, tulle, burlap.  The sky is the limit.  Put a rubber band around the top to keep the wires together and use floral wire cut in long strips to attach the materials.  Some materials do not even need to be attached like tinsel and tulle.  Just tuck them around filling in gaps as needed.

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3.  Add lights (the most important step!!!).  After the lights, continue decorating the tomato cage with ornaments and a tree topper.  For this tree, I used battery operated lights that I had on hand because the table where it would be placed was not near an outlet (lights available at Amazon).     

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This tree was so cost efficient:  $4 for the tomato cage, $1 for the tree topper from the Dollar Tree Store, $8 for the garland, and everything else I had on hand.  It is so beautiful sitting on my table - oh yes, this one is for me.  I realized I just want some lights, too!"

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I made this other one for our basement.  It is red & white tinsel from the Dollar Tree Store, battery operated lights, with some peppermint candy canes tied on with curly ribbon.

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Now I am thinking about what I can do in my porch urns!


How To Make A Tomato Cage Christmas Tree Video


Can’t wait to see what turns up in my sons apartment now that I have my great idea!  Let me know if you get inspired too.  It’s all about the lights!!  For isn’t that what Christmas is all about - the Light of the World, the Great I Am!


© margaret young