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    Reusable Christmas tree alternatives for small spaces

    Click any photo to go to a slideshow of space-saving Christmas tree alternatives. (All photos here are from IK …

    Oh, sure, a fantabulous giant Christmas tree with all the trimmings is great for those who have the wherewithal. But what about holiday revelers who don't have room for a normal Christmas tree, let alone such a behemoth?

    And what about families that want a tree they can use year after year -- or maybe even other times of year?

    We've got you covered.

    Yahoo! Homes has researched space-saving alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree, with a special emphasis on options that can be reused -- ideally long past the holidays. We've collected them here and in an accompanying slideshow with even more photos.

    We also talked to IKEA for tips, since it's a global authority on small-space living. Among IKEA's suggestions:

    Go flat. The wall pictured at the top is adorned with IKEA's trompe l'oeil-style Margareta fabric ($6.99 a yard) depicting a spruce, and (real) Julmys gift bags ($7.99 for a pack of 24) are attached to make an Advent calendar. Idea: You could photograph a tree and custom-print your own fabric at Spoonflower; you might want to process the photo with an app like Trey Ratcliffe's 100 Cameras in 1 for an especially arty effect. Or take a look at the printable version in slide 5 of Yahoo! Homes' tree alternative photo gallery.

    Click any photo to go to a slideshow of space-saving Christmas tree alternatives.

    Go kid-inspired. IKEA's 39-inch-tall cardboard Julmys tree ($14.99) has 40 stickers to use as ornaments. Our slideshow has an Etsy laser-cut cardboard i, too.

    Have we mentioned that you can click any photo to go to a slideshow of space-saving Christmas tree alternative …

    Go abstract. Arrange ornaments into a triangular form to merely hint at a Christmas tree. This three-tiered serving platter from IKEA is 13 inches tall and $14.99. A taller one might be more suitable to the task, though. For that, try the seven-tiered, 20-inch-tall Babell XL serving tray, available from Gretel in red, white or black for $52. These choices get bonus points for year-round utility!

    As we've subtly hinted elsewhere, you can click here or on any of the photos in this post to go to a slideshow of more space-saving Christmas tree alternatives.

    Merry Christmas!

    Find more holiday tips in our Project Center and Design Center:

    "D-I-Why Not?" video: Projects for a holiday potluck
    Make your old Christmas decorations new again
    How to set a jaw-dropping holiday table
    Christmas decorations: new twists on traditions
    Store kids' Christmas haul in a toy box they've helped make
    Warm colors for winter decorating
    Christmas tree safety tips
    Energy-efficient Christmas lighting

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