For a new take on your Christmas tree this year, why not see what you can find around the house to spruce up the branches.

Doug Hesnard of the Old Governor's Mansion did just that, coming up with a nostalgic theme that celebrates South Dakota's past and is easy to recreate with your own history.

"We have a historical theme for the trees, and you can do this at your own home," Hesnard said. "Just pull out letters or cards from Grandma or Grandpa, put photos on the tree. Look through photo scrapbooks and pull out pictures of family events."

Hesnard, designer and historian at the mansion, which is located east of Rapid City, said he worked with former Gov. Tom Berry's granddaughter, who donated and loaned memorabilia, including letters, photos and telegrams, which Hesnard has incorporated into Christmas tree decorations.

"We have telegrams from President (Franklin) Roosevelt, from Will Rogers," Hesnard said. "It's a real historical approach."

And the cost is minimal. Cards, letters and photos can be placed directly on the tree, wedged in between the branches. For a decaying document that might suffer from being bent or twisted, Hesnard makes a color photocopy and puts the copy to use as a decoration.

"That way, you don't damage the original," Hesnard said.

For the budget-conscious, Hesnard has several ideas to create different looks without spending a fortune.

"At the Governor's Mansion, we're trying to reuse ornaments in new ways. An inexpensive way to recreate a nice look is to use lots of silk flowers and foliage in the trees. You can pick those items up on sale," he said.

Prefer the natural, woodsy look? Want to help make that fake fir look and smell like a fresh tree?

"I like to collect branches, twigs, evergreens and work them in to artificial trees," he said.

Recreations of vintage ornaments line the shelves at retail stores. True vintage ornaments can sometimes be found at secondhand shops.

"I like to go to garage sales or secondhand stores, pick up vintage ornaments," Hesnard said. "Even if they have a bit of wear, that adds character to your tree."

Contact Marinell Scott Thornburg at marinell.thornburg@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8280.

Have a budget-friendly beautiful tree

By Journal staff

Christmas tree decorations don't need to bust Santa's budget. Plenty of creative and fun looks can be designed for your own Christmas tree for only a few dollars. Elementary-age children and older kids enjoy decorating the family tree. Get kids involved, and you might never need to purchase decorations again.

* Paper: Origami decorations can be simple or elaborate. Make a variety of decorations or stick to one style (say, stars) for a minimalist look. Cut snowflakes from paper and dust with glitter. Drape paper chains all over the house. Look online for templates for animals, angels, birds and trees: Cut ornaments out of paper and hang from strands of yarn.

* Popcorn: String garlands of popcorn (already popped) and cranberries. After Christmas, hang them outside for the birds to enjoy.

* Christmas cards: Cut out images from last year's cards and hang those on the tree. Or, turn new cards into ornaments by placing Christmas stickers from scrapbooking stores on small cards. Decoupage, anyone?

* Cookies: One of the oldest ways of decorating a tree is with cookies. Favorites are sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles, or gingerbread boys and girls. Use a small straw to cut out a hole in the top of cookies before they bake, then string with red yarn or ribbon.

Make "cookies" out of salt dough (a playdough that dries and hardens) and you can save the decorations from year to year.

If you don't want to bake cookies, just hang the cookie cutters on the tree.

* Candies: Candy canes, lollipops, gum drops make cute decorations, especially suitable for a tabletop tree.

* All that glitters is glitter: Nothing says "Christmas decoration" more than glitter. Just about anything can be glittered and take on a holiday glow.

Sources: Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart living, Familyfun.com