{"id":176,"date":"2019-12-19T16:24:52","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T16:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/?p=177"},"modified":"2023-07-02T23:27:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T23:27:10","slug":"tomato-cage-christmas-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/2019\/12\/19\/tomato-cage-christmas-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomato Cage Christmas Tree Inspired by Charlie Brown"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-6.jpg\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Finished\" class=\"wp-image-32\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-normal-font-size\">This year, I set out to make Christmas trees using tomato cages abandoned by the previous property owners.  To serve my need for instant gratification, I decided to create a quick and easy tree for my first Tomato Cage Christmas Tree tutorial.  Check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/2020\/01\/10\/tomato-cage-christmas-tree-4-ways\/\">tutorials<\/a> of other styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-normal-font-size\">Although the connection came after the fact, I&#8217;m claiming this naked little Christmas tree was inspired by Charlie Brown because it sounds cool.  What I love most about this tomato cage Christmas tree is that the <a href=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/2020\/01\/10\/hassle-free-solar-lighting\/\">solar powered lights<\/a> consume no electricity and power themselves on at dusk.    Sign me up for a <strong>zero<\/strong> effort outdoor Christmas display!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-background has-small-font-size\" style=\"color:#97747b;background-color:#e1dcd9\"> <em>My <a href=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/abruptly-creative\/\">mission <\/a>is to provide 100% complete tutorials with step-by-step photos. I apologize in advance that this tutorial may not completely fulfill that mission. Several of my initial post, including this one, were projects already in progress or completed when I started this blog.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-expand su-expand-collapsed su-expand-link-style-default\" data-height=\"1\"><div class=\"su-expand-content su-u-trim\" style=\"color:#32435f;max-height:1px;overflow:hidden\">\n<p>  <div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/tomatocage-1-e1576779110108.png\" alt=\"5 Pc Tomato Cage\" class=\"wp-image-9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/tomatocage-1-e1576779110108.png 432w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/tomatocage-1-e1576779110108-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/tomatocage-1-e1576779110108-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px\"><br \/>\n        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>TOMATO CAGE<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"> Reuse an old one or pick up<br \/>\n\t    <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/36StUx8\">this set<\/a> of 5 on like this on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/36StUx8\">Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.\n         <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:17% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/HarborFreightDragonFlySolarLights-e1576779168409.jpg\" alt=\"One Stop Garden 10 PC String Solar Light\" class=\"wp-image-11\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/HarborFreightDragonFlySolarLights-e1576779168409.jpg 253w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/HarborFreightDragonFlySolarLights-e1576779168409-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\"><br \/>\n        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>SOLAR STRING LIGHTS<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">\n          I <strong>love <\/strong>the 10 pc Dragonfly Solar String Light Set by One Stop Garden.  When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborfreight.com\/Solar-Dragonfly-LED-String-Light-10-Pc-62689.html\">Harbor Freight<\/a> has a sale on them, I grab a few to have on hand!  Great value at $8.  Also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Z4ft6i\">Amazon<\/a> without the sale\/discount.\n        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pingpongballs.png\" alt=\"Ping Pong Balls Tadick\" class=\"wp-image-12\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pingpongballs.png 588w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pingpongballs-291x300.png 291w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\"><br \/>\n        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>TENNIS TABLE\/PING PONG BALLS<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">\n            I picked up <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2M9J7Sm\">this pack<\/a> of 50 assorted colored ping pong balls by <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2M9J7Sm\">Tadick<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2M9J7Sm\">Amazon<\/a>.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ryobi-power-drills-p215k-64_1000.jpg\" alt=\"Ryobi Cordless Drill\" class=\"wp-image-15\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ryobi-power-drills-p215k-64_1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ryobi-power-drills-p215k-64_1000-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ryobi-power-drills-p215k-64_1000-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ryobi-power-drills-p215k-64_1000-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><br \/>\n        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>DRILL &amp; 1\/4\u2033 DRILL BIT<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"> No affiliation or sponsorship (yet, anyway).  I just love the power, battery life and dependability of Ryobi cordless tools.   <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Lineman-Pliers-e1576778221252.png\" alt=\"Lineman Pliers 4 PC Amazon Basics\" class=\"wp-image-23\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Lineman-Pliers-e1576778221252.png 500w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Lineman-Pliers-e1576778221252-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Lineman-Pliers-e1576778221252-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><br \/>\n      <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>PLIERS<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">\n          For this project, I prefer the durable jaws of linesman pliers.  A pair is included in this <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2MdDnHc\">Amazon Basics<\/a> 4 piece set.\n        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img src=\"\" alt=\"\" \/> \n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2tuRzFi\" class=\"wp-image-22\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cable-ties.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><br \/>\n      <\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4>ZIP\/CABLE TIES<\/h4>\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">\n          You can pick up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborfreight.com\/hardware\/cable-ties\/all-cable-ties\/4-in-8-in-11-12-in-nylon-cable-tie-assortment-1200-pk-60253.html\">1,200 variety pack<\/a> at Harbor Freight.  Also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2tuRzFi\">Amazon<\/a> without any discount\/savings.\n        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"su-expand-link su-expand-link-more\" style=\"text-align:left\"><a href=\"javascript:;\" style=\"color:#32435f;border-color:#32435f\"><i class=\"sui sui-folder-open-o\" style=\"\" aria-label=\"\"><\/i><span style=\"border-color:#32435f\">Open Supply List Here<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"su-expand-link su-expand-link-less\" style=\"text-align:left\"><a href=\"javascript:;\" style=\"color:#32435f;border-color:#32435f\"><i class=\"sui sui-folder-o\" style=\"\" aria-label=\"\"><\/i><span style=\"border-color:#32435f\">Close<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#e1dcd9\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block\"><p class=\"schema-how-to-total-time\"><span class=\"schema-how-to-duration-time-text\">Time needed:\u00a0<\/span>45 minutes. <\/p><p class=\"schema-how-to-description\"><strong>HOW TO MAKE IT<\/strong><\/p> <ol class=\"schema-how-to-steps\"><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578769514215\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Join the Wires<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\"> Turn the tomato cage upside down.  Join the three wires together by folding the first wire end down using your pliers, then fold the second wire into a 45 degree elbow, slip into the first, finish its downward fold.  Do the same for the last wire however you can slip it in there, so long as it is secure and folded down.<br\/><br\/>  <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tomato Cage Christmas tree Burlap\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/20191227_144217-scaled.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><br\/><br\/><em>*If you choose to join the wires with cable ties, please use pliers to<strong> fold the wire ends down first <\/strong>for safety.   I<\/em> l<em>iterally saw pointed ends strapped together on Pinterest.<\/em><\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578769589757\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Remove the Dragon Flies<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\"> If you purchased the Harbor Freight Dragon Fly Solar Lights, remove the dragon flies from the lights.  I have found them to pop off with ease in over 5 sets.   <br\/><br\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Remove Dragonfly\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-2.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578769646228\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Prepare Ping Pong Balls<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\"> Choose 10 ping pong balls in the color scheme you like.  Using a 1\/4 drill bit, drill a hole into one side of the each ball.<br\/><br\/><br\/> <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Drill Ping Pong Balls\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-3.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><br\/><br\/><strong>CAUTION<\/strong> when drilling.  Use tension when holding the drill and the ball.  The drill might slip off the ball and nick your finger. <\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578769963233\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Attach the Balls<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\"> Snap the balls onto the led lights.  No glue is necessary.  <br\/> <em>Hurt me some more!<\/em><br\/><br\/><em> <\/em> <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Add Ping Pong Balls\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-4.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578770053217\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Attach the Lights to the Cage<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\"> Using cable ties, strap your lights to the tomato cage.  Be sure spacing keeps the lights in balance on the tree.<br\/>   <br\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Tie Straps\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-5.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1578770124640\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Add the Tree to your Lawn<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Place the tree in a fairly sunny area of your yard to be sure the solar panel can charge.  South facing panels capture more daytime sunlight.  <br\/><br\/>Feel free to stake it in the ground if you live in a windy geography.  It wasn&#8217;t necessary for me in north Georgia.<br\/><br\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How To Christmas Tree Finished\" src=\"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree-Step-6.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px;\"\/><\/p> <\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick, Easy to follow tutorial showing you how to make a solar powered tomato cage Christmas tree inspired by Charlie Brown!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":277,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[18,15,10],"tags":[16,27,46,47],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":301,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176\/revisions\/301"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abruptlycreative.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}