Once He had put the tree together I suddenly thought the hedge needed trimming and I would be creative with the bits I cut off. Other than making a bit of mess trimming up the branches into a box to do this, there were none of the pine needle droppings to worry about.
Then a bit of mess from the dismantling, which was soon swept up as well. It looked good for 2 weeks, which is as long as I want the decorations up anyway. My Husband says I take being tight to a whole new level! I think of it as a creative persuit not to spend more money on anything that possible. Mainly because It does not grow on trees round here!
Don't get me wrong, we aren't in debt. However the whole concept of living within one's income is something the world seems to have forgotten since the advent of 'risk free', 'no interest' credit lines. You just pay a hiked up price for everything if it's not cash.
Get your cash to work for you by using only cash to buy things. The interest free costs the store probably 20-30% of the purchase price of your item, so to them they are assured of the money right away, you have to pay the hidden interest, and have the 'debt noose' and the threat of reposession all the time you are paying for your 'interest free' item.
It's the same with buying stuff on a credit card only worse if you can't pay off you spending without getting extra charges. Just get creative with everything. Re-model and re-style anything with a lick of paint and some inspiration. It is very satisfying!
The only way I can see that food prices can be reduced is to stop this insane trading in items we need on the supermarket shelf at a reasonable price. Fair trade for the end purchaser as well as the producer without this racketeering going on between middlemen.
Anyway here's our bargain Chrismas tree.

Notice she also likes to get herself comfey and wrapped up warm. This does nothing for a Patterdale's credibility of course as they are not meant to admit to being house dogs.
More the velociraptor, (chicken if she gets out)/rabbit/rat/pheasant hunting machine, needed for keeping a farmyard clear of pests. They were bred solely for hunting, but she has quietened down a bit at the age of 7 plus. (We aren't sure as she is a rescue). The white on her face is mostly markings to look like a badger. The roots of those hairs are black, so I assume this is how she is meant to look.