Christmas tree alternatives: Steel, paper, even vinyl decals

Forget the real-versus-fake Christmas tree debate. Today it's easy to bring the holidays to your home without a tree at all. Reusable tabletop figurines, handcrafted sculpture, ornament holders suspended from the ceiling and even eye-fooling decals for the wall are fun and fuss-free ways to celebrate regardless of tree allergies or space constraints.

Best of all? These alterna-trees just might bring a smile to your grumpiest houseguest. And they're designed to last longer than just one season.

To see more than a dozen examples, keep reading ...

The 5-foot-tall Christmas tree wall decals by Jacob Hashimoto and ...

... the collaborative duo Keyson & Savage are from Artware Editions. Both are made from die-cut reusable vinyl. The trees can be stuck to the wall or pinned into place. The decals are sold as limited editions, $125 each. Photo credit for both: Artware Editions.

PossibiliTree wooden trees come in 3-foot tabletop versions ($160 to $195) or a 6-foot version that hangs from the ceiling ($350), all crafted in cherry, walnut or birch. Photo credit: PossibiliTree.

The Totem Tree, pictured above and at the top of the post, is from Kidsonroof. It's a 3-D puzzle made of more than 170 recycled cardboard pieces, including two birds, a birdhouse and mushrooms growing on the tree trunk. It’s 27 inches high and costs $32 at Little Junebugs in Pasadena. Credit for all Totem Tree photos: Kidsonroof.

Wooden Cutout Trees crafted from plywood create a contemporary winter forest. The trees are sold out online but are still available at some West Elm stores. The small tree is $9, the large tree $29. Photo credit: West Elm.

The large shaggy tree at Anthropologie is made with heather-colored felt tubes reminiscent of shag carpeting. It’s 23 inches tall and costs $148. A smaller version is $98. Photo credit: Anthropologie.

Printed pages cut with pinking shears create a stacked paper pine that’s 13 inches high. Price: $48 at Anthropologie. Photo credit: Anthropologie.

Paper and tiny white ball ornaments form a curled paper pine. It’s $128 at Anthropologie. Photo credit: Anthropologie.

Trees made of powder-coated metal create a Mod tricolored set that’s $88 at Chiasso. Photo credit: Chiasso.

Tannenboing’s modern Christmas tree is made from recycled aluminum. It can springs open more than 6 feet and holds more than 200 items. At the end of the season, it can be packed flat. Price: $395. Photo credit: Kim Doyel.

For the Craftsman lover, perhaps? Festive Tree’s 4-foot sculptures are carved from sturdy hardwoods. They come in three designs, $195 to $250. Photo credit: Greg West Photography.

Graduated iron tiers mimic the shape of a Christmas tree in this candelabrum from Wisteria. It’s about 2 feet wide at the base, about 5.5 feet tall and designed to hold 1-inch tapers. The base removes from the body for easy storing. Regularly $329, it’s on sale for $197.40. Photo credit: Wisteria.

The handcrafted iron Milagro tree available onine through the Sundance catalog is graced with small metal charms known as milagros, or miracles. The tree is 31 inches tall and costs $88. Photo credit: Sundance.

The silver manzanita table decoration made by the California design firm Roost is adorned with porcelain acorn ornaments. After the holidays, the tree can be used as a jewelry holder. The tree is $230; the ornaments are $27 for a set of six small acorns and $31 for a set of four large ones. They're available online at Fawbush & Schulz. Photo credit: Roost.