As I mentioned earlier this week, we got a real mini tree! And I finally got some twinkle lights up and some ornaments on that guy. I say this with much enthusiasm and hardly any hyperbole: it’s a life changer. I’m in love.
And Clara and Burger love it too (play Where’s Waldo in the dark and find them):
It’s so charming and warm and it looks so sweet with all of the handmade Pinterest challenge ornaments that I made here.
These are the only breakable ornaments that we’ll be putting out this year (since the tree is up on a table, so Clara can’t get to it). And it glitters like the dickens. So yes, it’s my new favorite thing ever. Oh and it was $19 at a local grocery store here in Richmond called Martin’s (outside near the curb) for anyone wondering. And it came with a stand, which is nice.
We even have some King Kong action going on thanks to this gorilla ornament at the top:
As for the tree skirt, that’s actually just a gray pashmina that I had already (I just swirled it around the base a few times to create a little skirt), so other than shelling out the money for the tree, we got to use all of the ornaments that I had already made (which factored out to around 71 cents a pop – more on those here) and even tossed together a free tree skirt.
We actually would have loved to find a potted evergreen that we could have planted in the backyard after the season, but after a few weeks of looking for an un-cut one that was small enough to sit on the table, we had no luck (most of them were 5+ feet tall). So we caved and got a cut one since it was already well into December and we didn’t want to miss the real-tree boat entirely. But if anyone knows of a local source for uncut table-sized evergreens we’d love to hear about it (we tried Lowe’s Home Depot, a few tree lots around town, and a few nurseries/plant stores – but all of the uncut ones were too tall/large to be tabletop ones).
You know me + shiny things = a match made in heaven. And Clara might just be having the most fun with the tree out of all of us. At least five times a day she runs over to it and points to various animals and gleefully shouts out things like “Rhino!!!” and “Hippo!!!” and “Aggigator!” like it’s the most exciting thing she’s seen all day. Never gets old. Man I love the holidays.
Believe it or not, John and I have never had a real tree in our house as a family (although both of us enjoyed them growing up). We went faux five-ish years ago (thanks to an after-Christmas sale at Target) and appreciated that we only had to haul it home once (having a small car, the notion of dragging home a big real tree each year was a little daunting). And with a pooch we appreciated the no-dropped-needles thing. It can’t be argued that a faux tree looks better than a real one, but somehow when we loaded it with lights and ornaments we still loved our faker year after year.
Here she is back in 2007 (when we had a terrible camera and our blog photos were smaller):
And in 2008 (with the same white and silver scheme):
And in 2009 (when we went crazy for citrus, and even dried fruit to make ornaments):
And in 2010 (with green, pink, and silver shimma goin’ on):
And since experts continue to debate whether a faux tree or a real tree is more eco-friendly (apparently it’s a really close call when it comes to hauling emissions and cutting them down every year vs. reusing a faux one for a while) we knew the most eco thing that we could do after purchasing a faux tree was to use it as long as possible. So we’ll still be setting up our full sized faker in the dining room to enjoy with some Clara-safe ornaments (bonus: everyone driving by will see it glowing in the window). Better get on that though. Eeks, is it really the eighth already? Better get crackin’.
Have you guys been decorating? Any other tabletop tree folks out there? I can’t believe it has taken us this long to give one a try.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Diane says
We’ve made a tradition of getting the biggest table top tree we can find. Bought this year’s last night and were getting high fives and “that’s the way to do it!” from people in the checkout line behind us at the grocery store.:)
Noticed you don’t have tree toppers on any of your trees. Is there a story behind that? Family tradition?
YoungHouseLove says
We just haven’t found the perfect one yet, so we’re topper-less. Better than topless. Haha.
xo,
s
Christy Bryan says
So cute! I have a tabletop faux tree from my first apartment out of college. Now it is in the nursery as my baby boy’s tree. Now we go to the mountains up in North Carolina to cut down a real one and tie it to the top of the car. Sawyer loves it and points at it saying “cheee” and “staaaahh” allllll the time. I posted some pics of our tree cutting adventures on our blog. http://asthebryansgrow.blogspot.com/2011/12/oh-christmas-tree.html I just love this Christmas with our little one’s excitement. Last year he was just kind of like “what is all this fuss?”
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo,
s
katherine says
Our first year in my parents’ house (20 years ago; I was 1) they bought a cute little dwarf Alberta spruce and used it as a Christmas tree, then planted it outside when the ground thawed. It’s now taller than any dwarf spruce should be and has two trunks because it was the victim of a giant snow avalanche from the roof one year.
Meredith says
I still cannot get over the amazing difference in the rug!
Robyn says
Did you have to remove those chairs from the table? That’s the only way that tree would be safe at our house! My 17-mo. daughter is obsessed with climbing on chairs and tables! Actually, thinking about it, I bet we couldn’t even have that tree because she would push a chair over to the table then climb up! It’s driving me bonkers. Adorable little tree!
YoungHouseLove says
Amazingly enough, no. Clara only really climbs up on the sectional and the ottoman, so that chair and table in the back get hardly any notice. Haha. She does climb on the sofa to point to her new ornament friends, but thankfully she can’t reach them from there!
xo,
s
Linda says
Completely. Adorable. I love the way the Pinterest ornaments look on the little table-topper, and the twinkle lights! I’m seriously mesmerized.
I had a little table-top tree for SO many years that this year, I was so excited to be in a house (rather than a tiny apartment) that I got a huge, honkin’ tree. Now I kind of miss my little guy. :)
xoxo Linda
Katie says
Seeing the pictures of your family room reminds me again just how much I love your new rug and ottoman. They look fantastic!
I also like that you switch your tree decorations up every year. I do the same thing and I get so excited choosing my new color scheme each year. This year I went with turquoise and tomato. Okay so it’s red but tomato sounds so much more fancy to me. Ha!
Sarah says
This year we got a tree from my in-law’s cabin-on-the-lake. It’s a Hemlock so it’s not exactly a traditional bushy tree.
It’s also about 6″ too tall and 3′ too wide… but it was free and they were going to cut it down anyway (it was encroaching on a path) so other than the gas to drive out and get it, I’d say we’re going eco-chic this year!
Kathryn / Eventually Ever After says
I, too, love shiny things, so I really enjoy your tree. Good idea keeping the breakables away from Clara – I have seen that get very ugly!
Carly G says
Have you tried Whole Foods? They had them at the store in Rockville, MD.
YoungHouseLove says
Didn’t try that (it’s across town) but might check next year! Thanks Carly!
xo,
s
alg says
We’re going out of town for the holidays, so we decided against a tree this year.
But we did decorate our fireplace mantle — in silver & white — using a bunch of repurposed/already-owned stuff. We ended up with a really simple, seasonal look that we can leave up until spring. And it was practically free!!!
Check it out :)
http://rentalhouserules.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/dreaming-of-a-white-and-silver-christmas/
YoungHouseLove says
Pretty!
xo,
s
isobel says
where did you get the lovely, sleek stocking holders? all the ones i’ve seen are so cheesy!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are from Target a while back! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Plein Jane says
I always put a little tree in the bay window of our kitchen (where everybody seems to hang out anyway). My mother-in-law and I had a tradition of exchanging ornaments with a cooking/food theme and would hang them on our kitchen trees.
She passed away two years ago next week, and putting it up reminds me of her. My husband and his brothers made sure I received some of hers while they were sorting her things. (I’m doing a little boo-hoo here.)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that’s such a sweet memory to have. And I’m so sorry for your loss.
xo,
s
Meredith K A says
The tiny tree is great, but woo, seems pricey to me! We go to a small-ish local Christmas tree farm and cut our own every year for only $35! I’d also totally go the potted route, except that there’s not anywhere in our yard that we’d want to plant it.
Here’s a story I think you’ll like – when we were kids (I’m your age), on Earth Day in the elementary schools they’d hand out teensy little evergreen seedlings at school (does that still happen? Did it ever happen elsewhere, or just in PA?). I’m talking a twig with a wet paper towel wrapped around one end and a few pine needles on the other. I’m sure 99% of them never made it out of the depths of most kids’ backpacks, but my sister and I planted ours every year, and 3 actually survived to adulthood. One is still living happily in our parents’ backyard, and the other two we used as Christmas trees! So they were totally free. I always thought that was really cool.
Oh, and I can see how it would be a close call with cut live trees that get driven long distances to be sold in a more urban area, but around here there are lots of Christmas tree farms that are always growing new trees as the old ones are cut, and those trees wouldn’t exist in the first place without the Christmas Tree demand, so I feel like it’s a wash, environmentally, to get a cut tree every year. But a fake tree would definitely be cheaper…after only a few years you’d be saving money over spending (for us) $35 per year to get a fresh one (plus driving, gas, vacuuming needles, and remembering to water the darn thing…!), but still…I think we’ll always be a real tree family!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s amazing that your little baby trees made it! We never got those at our school, so I’m jealous!
xo,
s
Lisa in Seattle says
What a cute little tree! Love the twinkle lights and that pic of Burger on the sofa. After decades without a tree (except for last year, aka the Great Flock and Glitter Fiasco of 2010), we went artificial. The ferrets like to stroll around on the lowest tier of branches, but at least I’m not picking sap out of their fur.
There was a news story the other night about a family that found a *snake* crawling around inside their real tree. Can you imagine??? Score one for Team Faux Tree.
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow! That’s crazy!
xo,
s
Heather says
I am seriously filled with joy and merriment :-). I have tree ENVY!!! Aaah. So adorable.
Randa says
I didn’t look through all the comments above so someone may have already said it, but I think the Whole Foods in Short Pump might have some potted smaller evergreens… I was there yesterday but didn’t get a good look at what they had outside, since it was raining and I was trying to get in quickly. I definitely saw some bigger cut trees, and then saw some smaller ones, but I can’t remember if the smaller ones were cut or not. I think not, but I could be wrong.
Anyhoo, your table-top tree is very fetching! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Randa!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
I just heard on the radio this morning (ya know, a totally legit source), that a faux Christmas Tree is more eco-friendly as long as you keep it at least 10 years. We got a real one this year. I just LOVE going out, picking the perfect tree, cutting it down, then drinking some hot cocoa afterward! I plan on sticking with real!
Liz says
We bought our faux tree on clearance from Bed Bath & Beyond for 80% off. DS loves it and seems to know it’s a “look but don’t touch” deal, although we’ve been struggling with the “don’t touch the shatterproof ornaments that we got for $0.05 each from Wally-World.” DH is allergic to the real deal, so having a real tree will only happen if it remains outside :(
Vanessa says
A – wait for it – DORABLE.
I love the mini trees. I bought little ones for each of the kids rooms. My daughter loved being able to decorate hers with her own homemade ornaments. It’s fun to start a new tradition.
I just did a tree for our museum’s fundraiser. They are raffled off to the public. Mine is an Apple tree…adorned with little mini iPads. You can see more here:
http://www.maxxsilly.com/2011/12/ichristmas-tree.html
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. I liked waiting for it. And I love your tree!
xo,
s
Cameron says
I was just at Trader Joes today, and they had itty-bitty potted tabletop trees. There were two kinds (spruce I think, but not positive), and both were about a foot tall.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip!
xo
s
KCatGU says
Every other year we travel to the in-laws for Christmas, so on those years we rock and table top fakey. I just put it up on Tuesday, then on years we are home we do the big ol real tree.
Inge says
My husband and I did the lumberjack thing at the Christmas tree farm this year for the first time. It was great– nothing like a beautiful day traisping around the farm (Or, in his case, running after me as I yelled LOOK I SEE A GOOD ONE. . .oops). I loved that if we were going to do a real tree, we could do it supporting a local business. I think some of the local tree farms we were looking at advertised having tabletop trees, not sure if they were cut or not, but might be an idea to look into for future years?
toni from says
We have a tabletop tree this year too and that is all. We are going back to Washington State (from North Carolina) for the last half of the month so we opted to get a small tree for the kiddos. I love your tree, it is so adorable. I think you should make a star for the top however, imagine the cuteness of videotaping Clara putting it on top of the tree. Plus it will give her something extra to point out numerous times a day.
Susan C says
I was able to find a small live tree for $15 at our Home Depot in So. Cal. I decorated it with dried orange slices and gold ribbons.
YoungHouseLove says
All of your trees sound so pretty everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Terry says
I love love love the pinterest ornaments on your table top tree!!!!! I want to put up a table top tree this year since I have a roaming two year old. Great Idea!!!! On a side note: Sherry can you please please send me an invite from Pinterst? I would love to join and my request for an invite is taking FOREVER.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, head over to our facebook page to request one (folks trade them over there really fast!). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Terry says
Thanks Sherry, I am headed there right Now!!!!! I am so so so excited to start pinning!
YoungHouseLove says
Have fun!
xo,
s
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
So cute! Can’t wait to see your other tree :)
Megan says
I heard it’s better to buy a locally cut one (or cut it yourself at a local place) than to buy a fake. Although it does cut down a living tree which helps the environment, it provides money for the family/business, it doesn’t cost anything to ship it, and it won’t be sitting in a landfill for the rest of eternity. We also cut trees down on our own property for a long time and then would burn them in a big bonfire or throw them into one of our ponds because the fish love the extra spaces to hide! I love the mini tree, it’s so fun!
Molly F. says
My parents did the same thing about 10 years ago when we were moving from our old house to the one they live in now–we had a small uncut tree that we planted in the yard of the new house! That one was probably about 3 feet tall, and they got it at Sneeds Nursery on Huguenot Road, in the Bon Air area. They probably still do that, depending on what size you’re looking for, and it’s always great to support a local business!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! We love Sneeds!
xo,
s
gabby says
we found a potted (which i typed as potty about 5 times– sign you know you’re a mom) tabletop sized tree at our local fresh market?? i think you have one somewhere near you in richmond??? i think what you have is perfect! and so gorgeous. just love it. xoxo.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, ours only had Rosemary trees, and we wanted to go with an evergreen one for our first real tree!
xo,
s
Cara says
Love the little tree! I have an off-topic question too! How do you like your ikea sectional? Is it comfortable?
YoungHouseLove says
Still love it! No complaints!
xo,
s
Melissa says
I’m totally obsessed with the “You and Me” poster in your 2010 photo. Where did you get it?
YoungHouseLove says
If you search “You + Me” in our sidebar search box (in quotes) that info should be in the first link that comes up from our site. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Original_Ann says
oh my gosh you guys! your lil tree is a vision! I love it! I have to admit (though I do have a 4ft fake that I put up as well), I have to get a big ole live frasier every year. the smell of pine and sap – HEAVEN!
You mentioned how daunting the notion of dragging home a big tree each year seems. If you ever decide to go live in future years with a big tree, I’ll share my tip which makes tree hauling no big whoop.
Line your trunk with an old sheet. Once the tree is on the sheet, it’s easy schmeezy to drag the sheet out of the car and even up to the door. Each year I get a 9+ foot tree. And skinny ole beanpole me is able to get that loverly thing out of the car, up the sidewalk AND up the 5 big steps to the front porch of my rowhome. Two people and it’s light as a feather!
Happy Christmas to you!
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great tip!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
Love the tree… it looks great! Question… how do you get your curtains to looks so perfect with the rings? I have rings with curtains, and my looks between each ring clip don’t look as nice as yours. I’m thinking I have too much fabric or something, and maybe I should cut them down. I don’t know. Looking for the perfect poof… not getting it… but I think my meddling 14 mo. old and 2 dogs may also be culprits…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I wish I had a method. I just evenly space them and clip clip clip away. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jaz says
Hi Sherry,
As always, your house looks beautiful! I am with you on the whole cutting down a tree thing…haven’t been able to do it. This year I brought in a small’ish (8′) white oak tree that died last summer on our property. So yes, it is just the bare branches but paired next to some Pottery Barn rattan reindeer and decorated with glass acorns, it looks kinda neat.
Thanks for sharing!
Jaz
Nikki Olson says
Love mini…and fake trees for that matter! Please check ours out, so excited about it…
http://thelovelyresidence.blogspot.com/2011/12/decking-hallsdining-with-lovelys.html
YoungHouseLove says
Adorable!
xo,
s
Chrissy says
That looks so great; I love it! The homemade ornmants are a nice touch. :-) I’m further north in Virginia, and I bought my mini potted tree at Wegmans. Although I haven’t decorated it yet – I’m way behind on my decorating! I’m in the middle of law school finals, so my apartment is sporting a strange combination of snowmen and pumpkins. I’m halfway there. :-)
Patrick says
I did the same tree from Martin’s this year… and put retro big ceramic bulbs on it with vintage glass balls. It looks fantastic. It would also be a great tree to do “Charlie Brown” like, with a lone red ball. I grew up with a real tree, do not like fake ones, but did not have space for a larger one. The mini fit the bill! It is like the tree top that Kevin cuts in Home Alone to decorate!
Leah says
Love your wee tree and decorations!!! The real vs fake tree fights gives me the irrits … people should live and let live, not be rude about other people’s preference, it is Christmas!!! I grew up with a fake tree and one year we got a cut one and we didn’t enjoy any of the additional tasks in getting it and keeping it looking good and getting rid of it and felt bad marking one out for “execution” LOL. I can imagine for others that stuff is an enjoyable part of their holiday traditions they’d miss if they didn’t need to do.
Stephanie says
Looking forward to your post about Clara-safe ornaments. I had a creative block when coming up with my own this year. Went with Dollar Store plastic balls, paper ornaments cut out, and pinecones I spraypainted white. With a dog and a very curious 9mth old, would love any other ideas!
Meg says
I’m out in CA and our Home Depot had/has a ton of tiny potted Christmas Trees. I bet if you go in to customer service next year around Sept/Oct and request that they carry small potted trees for the holiday season they would oblige. (I know that sounds early, but I’d rather be too soon and have to go back later than be too late and without what I want.) Hope that helps!
BTW – your mini tree looks fabulous as do the new counters! Merry Countermas!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh that’s a great idea! I hope as everyone gets more green (HD and Lowe’s seem to be hopping on the eco bandwagon) they’ll pop up more readily around here! And asking for them can’t hurt!
xo,
s
Hillary says
We need a picture of the tree from outside!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that could be cute! That window is on the back of the house (which is essentially a two story due to the slope of the land) but we’ll have to try to capture it!
xo,
s
Ashley says
The little tree is absolutely precious! And it couldn’t have come at a better time. All week I had been grumping about our decorations and how I really didn’t like them….but then between this post and watching our 7 month old’s face light up when he saw ornaments and lights, it kicked my butt into gear today, and I’ve figured out how to use a lot of our stuff (Christmas and non-Christmas) to make a few decorative spots I really like…my favorite is the top of a bookshelf with a framed copy of our Christmas card, a few empty wrapped boxes, and some of the wee babe’s super cute wooden toys–perfect for baby’s first Christmas. So thank you guys for inspiring me to stop moping and get my tush into gear :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, sounds really festive! Have fun!
xo,
s
Bryn says
I have seen the small potted “trees” at Kroger grocery store, of all places…they have them in various sizes, and I loved them because they have the super soft needles…perfect for decorating! Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, our Kroger didn’t have them! Maybe next year!
xo,
s
Mallory says
Where’d you find that great (what appears to be) Empire State Building ornament? I’ve been looking for a classy one like that but all I’ve found are cheesy tourist-y looking ones. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Target a while back!
xo,
s
Patty says
I love the you + me poster in the background of your previous Christmas pictures! Where did you get it??
YoungHouseLove says
Scroll back in the comments for that info! Hope it helps.
xo,
a
Marla says
We’re taking the table top route this year too. I’ve seen the little potted trees at our shoprite during this time of the year. Usually outside right before you come into the store. So maybe your local grocery store? Or maybe it was a rosemary bush I saw, shaped like a tree? That could be fun too – and useful later.
Shea says
Love your wee tree! Our kids are just a little older than Clara, so we know all too well the craziness of toddlers + Christmas trees.
If you want to make Clara a super easy (and CHEAP) crafty tree of her own, you could make a felt one like the one we made last year. We needed a stand-in at a temporary apartment where we were living. It’s made from felt and our kids love decorating (and redecorating). I could totally see you cutting out some felt versions of the animals on your own real tree. How fun would that be?! I promise it’s easy. (you won’t even have to bust out your sewing machine!)
Pics and instructions here: http://emptybobbinsewing.com/2010/12/12/o-christmas-tree-o-felt-christmas-tree/
Have I mentioned that I promise it’s easy? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so sweet! Love it!
xo,
s
Amanda says
Trader Joes has potted trees every year.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks!
xo
s
BrookeJ says
I don’t know if anyone mentioned this in the previous 322 comments, but you may want to look into a potted rosemary tree/bush/plant, I used to get those when I lived in an apartment. They smell great and can be replanted. I think your tiny tree is super cute–loved the pinterest challenge bulbs.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea!
xo,
s