Blog Posts by This Old House Magazine

If you're sick of the same tired topiary each year, take inspiration from some of these over-the-top trees. From a Pac-Man tree to a bicycle tree, and a soda can tree to a chocolate tree, here are the top 5 kooky Christmas trees from our World's Wildest Christmas Trees round-up.

Keep reading for a look at some Yuletide craziness. Pac-Man and all his friends are rendered in LED lights across this giant static light display in Madrid.












RELATED: Avoid 11 Common Holiday Hazards


One hundred neon-lit bicycles make up this tree in Sydney. Located in a popular tourist district called The Rocks, the bicycles were painted green with red or gold tires and strategically piled to create this eco-friendly decoration.










RELATED: 13 Ways the Holidays Can Kill You

This recycled tree of shiny plastic water bottles was created in China to draw awareness to environmentally friendly causes.













RELATED: The Best Holiday Home Memories

A really green way to "do the Dew," this tree is made up of 400 Mountain Dew

Here at This Old House, we're big fans of DIY builders. But little did we know that the tools of the trade-band saws, wood rasps, belt sanders, Dremels-could be used to build dessert.

The third annual TOH Gingerbread House contest boasted some of the most impressive masterpieces we've seen to date. Here are the top 5 to get you in the holiday spirit.









RELATED: 17 Easy Gingerbread House Kits


"This gingerbread house stands four feet tall. 40 pounds of gingerbread and 30 pounds of royal icing are used. I guess you could call it a labor of love."

Eduardo M.
Omaha, NE











RELATED: The Ultimate Gingerbread House-Making Tool Kit


"This made entirely from gingerbread. It weighs about 80 pounds and measures 28 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches. It took a little more than two months to build. The houses feature shiplap and individual pastillage shingles. The windows are gelatin sheets, and the inside figures are made of marzipan. The trees are fondant rolled in granola, then covered in royal

The cold, wet stuff has a way of ar­riving without regard for our busy schedules. It's not a problem if the only items on your to-do list are making snow angels and taking a nap, but if you need to clear the path to the car quickly-and drive off safely-it pays to prepare. Start with the right equipment and deicers, then stick to these time-tested removal methods. You'll be on your way-or back inside making cocoa-in no time.

1_A liquid magnesium chloride blend...

...applied with a garden sprayer a few hours before a storm, can melt slow accumulations of less than 2 inches and keep ice from bonding to hard surfaces. Count on using 1 gallon for every 1,000 square feet.

RELATED: Plug-In Snow Busters

2_Look for a shovel...

...with a lightweight plastic or aluminum blade coated with a nonstick finish to make loading and unloading a breeze. Avoid a blade so big you'll be tempted to overload it; an ergonomic, S-shaped shaft will save your back by requiring less bending.

For most, the holiday season means family, friends, food-and, of course, presents. But for criminals, the holiday season means something entirely different: the opportunity to cash in on homes full of carefully wrapped gifts, including lots of easy-to-sell electronics and jewelry.

Last year, there were about 1.6 million reported residential burglaries. About 300,000 of those were home invasions, which means one or more household members were present at the time of a break-in, and became victims in violent crimes.

Here are 5 easy ways to make your home just a bit more safe.




1_GET A CENTRALLY-MONITORED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

Local alarms make lots of noise, but they don't call for help when you're in distress. Home security systems from companies like ADT monitor for break-ins, fire, and other dangers such as carbon monoxide, when you're home and when you're not. Pay a one-time installation fee, and your monthly membership connects you to a 24/7 monitoring service.

Starts about $38 per

If you're not getting the quality shut-eye you crave, it may be time to rethink your bedroom environment. A lack of sleep can lead to more than just sluggishness and under-eye circles; research shows that it can weaken the immune system, cause weight gain, and impede overall health, not to mention shorten your life span. While you can't build more hours into your day, you can tinker with your bedroom environment to improve your chances of getting a restful night's sleep. Here are a number of ways to do that.


1_INSTALL A CEILING FAN

Ceiling fans act like a lullaby, whispering white noise while creating a gentle breeze to keep your body cool. And, since they're cheaper to operate than an air conditioner, you won't lie awake fretting over your electric bills. Allergy sufferers should look for a model whose blades are coated with nanoparticles to prevent dust buildup, such as those from The Hunter Fan Company. From $119

Get step-by-step instructions at How to Install a Ceiling Fan.


2_

Penny-pincher. Tightwad. Cheapskate. Bring it on! Here at This Old House, we celebrate frugality, especially when it translates into increased efficiency, comfort, or style for our homes. From cutting your hot-water bill by installing a shower timer to brightening a room with handsome sconces that you hook up yourself, the secret to saving real money is a combination of thriftiness, smarts, and sweat. So read on for clever get-your-hands-dirty ways to shrink your expenses and improve your home without spending a dollar more than you have to.

1_Shop the Dollar Store

Shop the dollar store rather than your local home center to buy specialty tools you may use only once or twice for projects such as cable or phone wiring.

Cost: $1 per item.

Savings: $25 for curved long-nose pliers and $20 for a coaxial compression crimper at The Home Depot.

Bonus: No worries if tools break.

MORE: Top 28 Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

2_Extend the Lives of Filters

Extend the

With parties and gatherings galore, wouldn't you love to entertain in a custom-painted living room or beautifully tiled kitchen this holiday season? TOH shows you how with pro tips and step-by-step instructions. Whether you opt for a decorative painting technique or fancy woodwork, you can easily transform a lackluster space into a festive room you'll enjoy all year.

Paint a Color Wash

Tired of boring old one-tone walls? Indulge your creative spirit with a DIY paint job and watch how a little bit of texture can transform your room.

Whether you're trying to mask uneven walls or liven up pristine ones, this old-world effect can be achieved with just a few brushes and a combination of complimentary hues. For full step-by-step instructions, see How to Paint a Color Wash.

Paint Checkered Walls

When decorative painter Brian Carter was asked to turn a bland dining room into a magnet for good food and conversation, he instinctively thought of warm tone-on-tone squares.

Big gatherings are a sign of the season, but with so many people in your home at once, a minor mishap can turn into chaos. Here's how to save your house from devolving into a disaster.

1. Sparking Holiday Lights

Multiple light strings crammed into a single outlet can lead to a fast-igniting blaze.

Prevent it: Keep an outlet's total amperage or volts under 15 amps, or if using a power strip, within the manufacturer's rating. If you notice sparking, pull plugs out of the outlet immediately.

Those tapers look great glowing on your table-until someone knocks them onto the linen tablecloth.

Prevent it: Never sit a candle directly on flammable material. Before lighting, trim the wick to ¼ inch; blow it out when there are 2 inches of wax left (½ inch if the candle's in a vessel).

Bye-bye birdie: Smoke starts pouring out of the oven while you're cooking.

Prevent it: Clean the oven thoroughly at least a day before the meal. When broiling, keep