Every year I decorate an artificial Christmas tree, and every year, not to miss the fragrant smell of a real pine tree, I call my local home improvement store and ask them to save their tree trimmings for me. Every year they oblige.

This year was no exception, they had a cartful of greenery waiting by the door. I came home with an armful and immediately placed sprigs and branches throughout the house and set out to make a display with my new greenery.

I paid $2.99 for this box/crate at Goodwill of Central Arizona and what a life it has had in my house. It’s been a tray for snacks, it’s held soap and washcloths in the bath, and was part of a coastal display on my hutch, just to name a few.

This time, I used it as a coffee table display for my patio.

I filled some mason jars, 69 cents from Goodwill, with sand, cranberries and votives, placed them in the crate/box along with the branches and set them outside.

It’s pretty, it’s rustic, it will stay fresh outside for months and thanks to the generous people at my home improvement store and items I already had on hand from Goodwill, I was able to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Now that’s Goodwill!