We will be hanging ornaments made especially for the birds. Please see the information about edible ornaments below. You may bring ornaments to hang or create some at this time. We will be making pine cones filled with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed and cranberry garlands. Biodegradable string to hang the ornaments will be available in the connector prior to December 5th. Feel free to bring additional ornaments to the tree through the Christmas season. There will be a special surprise for all who participate.Sponsored by your Fellowship Ministry! Contact Amy Warren for more information. 803‐361‐3519
Edible Ornaments: There are many types of foods that can be hung on a Christmas tree to feed the birds. The most popular options include:
Pinecone feeders or donut “wreaths” covered with peanut butter and birdseed
Small suet balls or suet cakes in holiday shapes, or small mesh bags of suet
Strings of fruits such as apple, pear, or orange chunks, raisins, or cranberries
Dried sunflower heads or stalks of dried millet or other grain
Birdseed ornaments, either homemade or purchased
Strings of in‐shell peanuts or broken walnuts
Small birdseed cakes, cookies, or muffins
Whole apples, pears, or peaches, such as windfall fruits
Strings of plain air‐popped popcorn or an unsweetened cereal such as regular Cheerios
When choosing foods for a bird Christmas tree, keep in mind the feeding preferences of your backyard birds.
Southern habitats may have more fruit‐eating birds that stay nearby during the winter, making strings of fruit an appropriate choice, while nuts and suet are more suitable for colder areas. Also, while popcorn, donuts, and
other kitchen scraps can be a treat for the birds, avoid using them exclusively and offer a greater variety of more
nutritious seed or suet options instead. To hang ornaments, use small lengths of string or natural twine to make loops or bows for each ornament. The birds may use the string to help insulate a roosting area, or they may collect it for nesting material in the spring. Avoid very thin threads or fishing line, however, which could become a tangle hazard for visiting birds. It might take a few days for birds to discover a feeder tree, but once they do, they will happily make use of it long past the holiday if you keep the tree and its treats available to them.
Remember that other wildlife may also visit the tree for a meal, such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, and other
animals. Share the spirit of the season with all visitors and position some food so they can all reach a nutritious snack.