Ok, we have a fun little craft for you guys, complete with an easy how-to, and some festive photos.
But first of all, we finally got our tree decorated this weekend…
We’ve shared a bunch of different trees with you guys over the years, and each year it has been fun to switch a few things up with a new “theme” like classic silver and white, citrus inspired lemons and real dried oranges, pastel pink and soft green with silver bows, crafty paint strip ornaments and ribbons, and a fun white to pink to to red gradient tree from last year.
But this year there was a new theme in town: family. We just wanted to fill our tree with meaningful ornaments. Things that were one of a kind, homemade, personalized, given to us by someone special, and otherwise memorable to us. It was actually the first year that we had enough to fill a big tree (we usually relegate them to a smaller tabletop tree), which was good timing since we have a big girl around who’s really into helping these days.
And since handmade ornaments were a big part of the mix, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try my hand at making three dozen new ones, all with a woodsy yet colorful spin.
The first step was trudging around outside looking for a fallen branch that was about 3″ in diameter. After finding it and yelling “eureka” (true story) I brought it into the garage and fired up the miter saw (picture me grinning like a fool while whispering “don’t cut your fingers off”). It was actually pretty simple to keep the blade straight and make a bunch of vertical cuts, so I was able to slice the whole branch up to make nearly three dozen little round slices.
One half of the branch was a little more gnarled on the inside than the other, so it was funny that around half of them had cool weathered holes in the middle while the others were smoother and less holey. The next step was letting them sit/dry out for a while (I actually made these slices about two weeks ago) because I didn’t want to paint or seal damp wood for fear that it would become a crumbly rotten mess. So if you don’t have time to do that, maybe try hunting down pre-cut wood slices, or see if there’s some method for speed-drying them (maybe sitting them in a box of rice or something?).
Late last week I couldn’t stand waiting anymore, so I sanded them all just to make them extra smooth, and finally broke out three paint pens. I tried my hand at three different designs. We’ll call the one on the left “arrow” (I started by drawing the one in the middle and then just added two others flanking it). The one in the middle can be called “fraction” (I just made a wide-ish pizza slice on each one and colored it in). And the one on the right can go by “dipped” (I experimented with thinner or thicker “dippings” on different angles, just to change things up).
I really liked the idea of letting a lot of the wood grain show through (as opposed to painting or coloring the entire front) but the little pop of color is really fun – and super simple. As for the exact paint pens I used, I had luck with a red and green Sharpie paint pen, and a turquoise Elmer’s Painters pen (they’re a few bucks each at places like Michael’s or JoAnn).
About twenty minutes later, I had this collection of lovelies.
Then I took them outside and said “remember when you guys lived out here?” and gave them a good spray coat of Aileen’s Gloss Finish Sealer (on the front and the sides, and later on the back when they were dry). Sealing wood slices can help to keep them from flaking and it also gives them a nice little polished look, which is a cool juxtaposition to their rugged edges and gnarled centers.
After they had fully dried for 24 hours out in the garage, I brought them back in and drilled tiny pilot holes into the top of each one (I strategically chose what part should be the top so all the arrows would be straight, but some of the fractions and dipped ones would be slightly off-kilter since I liked the interest that those angles would bring to the tree). Then it was as simple as sticking eye-hooks into each of those pre-drilled pilot holes at the top and screwing them by hand.
I already had some old metal ornament hooks to slip through those eye-hooks, so that was all they needed to finally find their way onto the tree.
I think the red ones are my favorite. They really pop with the green background. And the total cost for three dozen wood slice ornaments = $11, which breaks down to around 30 cents each (that total includes all three paint pens, the spray sealer, and the eye hooks). Psst- You can check out a bunch of other wood slice ornaments here.
These new guys are in good company with a bunch of other ornaments that we’ve made over the years (like the green zebra you can see in the top right of that shot above) so that gives us the warm fuzzies. In fact, it’s probably a good time to toss out some links to those other homemade ornaments:
- Here are some faux antler ornaments along with a bunch of colorful “ceramic” animals (and some swirl-painted glass bulbs) from 2011
- Here are a few “snow” covered and feather filled glass ornaments from 2008
- Here are some real dried orange slice ornamets from 2009
- Here are a few baby’s first Christmas ornaments from 2010 (with Clara’s silhouette and hand prints on them)
Oh and a bunch of people saw a peek at the tree on Instagram and Facebook before it was decorated, noticed that it was new, and asked if it was real and where we got it (we got it up about a week before we added ornaments and just gazed at it naked for a while. The tree was naked. We were fully clothed. Except for Burger).
Anyway, back to where we got the tree. It was a hand-me-down from my mom (the box is long gone and we didn’t see any brand markings on it though – so if anyone has something similar and knows the brand we’d love that info to pass along) and we’re completely enamored with it. In fact, we’ve already donated our old tree, which we faithfully enjoyed since 2008. It’s hard to tell in photos, but this one is pretty real looking and sort of droopy-in-a-good-way (it’s feathery on the ends, which makes for a nice effect). Especially all lit up in that bay window of ours. Just ignore the blue trim – I’m waiting for Santa to come paint that for me.
But back to the decorating process. It was the first year that Clara had a real active interest in helping us the entire time, and she was even able to hang the breakable ornaments since she’s a careful steady-handed gal (zero ornaments were harmed in the making of this tree, although I did have about five mini-heart attacks, but I was so glad I let the bean do her thing in the end).
It pretty much worked out to be broken down into three rough zones. Clara took the bottom, I took the middle, and John got the top thanks to his long legs and added wingspan.
As for what went where, it was really just a free-for-all. I placed all of the ornaments out on a little white pedestal table off to the side of the tree, and we all just took turns grabbing whichever one caught our eye. We taught Clara just to do one per branch, but that was really the only direction we gave her – along with “don’t forget the sides and the back.” As we hung them, Clara would ask us where each one came from, so we had fun telling her about one that came from our honeymoon, one that we got in Hawaii with her, a few that were made by readers and given to us last year during our book tour, some that we had made in past years, some that were given to us by family members, etc.
I worried I’d forget a bunch of their origins, but when the entire table had been cleared and the whole tree was full, I don’t think there was a single ornament origin that we couldn’t recall. It’s funny how that stuff sticks with you.
And someone was VERY PROUD of herself.
Here she is posing in front of “her tree.”
And here’s the tree at night in all of its reflecting-in-the-bay-windows glory. The funny thing is that the old owners of the house must have put their tree right in this spot when they lived here. I never would have known that except when we moved in and I redid the floors, I remember finding a bunch of faux pine needles in that corner when I swept things up.
Oh and here’s the 411 on those festive reindeer – they were such an easy project back in 2011. And the tree skirt is just two faux sheepskin rugs from Ikea that we steal from other places in the house and shove under there each December.
So there you have it. A tree without a theme, except for a sweet memorable/handmade hodge-podge. Complete with a tiny tin hamburger.
What are your trees looking like this year? Any fun themes or color schemes? Do you go real or faux with them? Did anyone else make any ornaments? I’d love to get Clara in on the fun next year, so I’m already thinking about some baked ones (either clay or even gingerbread ones) that we could seal/paint/hang together. Could be fun…
Psst – You can peruse a ton of other holiday projects right here.
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Update Number 2: Plus you can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Emily says
I love it! This is your best tree so far! I prefer a more traiditonal tree to a “designer tree”. Love this!
Emily says
PS has John made any of his race medals into ornaments? I hear that’s a thing. You know, for when he gets tired of wearing them.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Now I’m going to make him! He saves them all in a box.
xo
s
Diana says
That’s a good idea!! I didn’t know what to do with ours!
Marsha says
We have always done family trees – when the kids were young they each received a special ornament each year dated that year and once they were in their own homes they received their box of ornaments which now they use on their own “family” trees. As for my husband and I – a christmas ornament is always the souvenir of choice when we travel. We are lucky enough to have been many places and decorating the tree is a time of reminiscing about those special trips. Decorator trees are pretty but the emotional ties of family trees are heartwarming to us and our visitors who usually ask about one ornament or another. Some even look to see where we have been the current year :)
Annie says
Eeeek! I see the ornament I gave you guys, I’m so flattered/touched, I think I might cry! And I love your tree, it’s gorgeous. It’s motivating me to get going on mine (which is a tiny plastic white one but whatevs :P ).
YoungHouseLove says
We love it Annie! Thanks so much!
xo
s
Sarah says
I love the meaningful ornaments- that’s the fun of decorating the tree! We got our first real tree this year, and we were lucky to have been gifted the most amazing collection of ornaments by my parents for our engagement! Apparently when I was 12, my mom told me that for the first part of their marriage, they just had simple, cheap ornaments since that’s what they could afford. I dont remember this, but I told her I hoped that I would be able have nice ornaments always(how snobby and pre-teenish of me, right?). They have been slowly collecting ornaments for my “wedding collection” ever since! Best gift ever!
YoungHouseLove says
Really sweet!
xo
s
Kiera says
It looks beautiful. Do you have a post anywhere on how your organize your ornaments/holiday decor. I feel like you did it once- but will you now organize by “kid approved” and non kid approved ornaments?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes if you click the “holiday ideas” link on our sidebar it’s in there (the last box I think).
xo
s
Jane says
Don’t forget to sign and date your handmade ornaments. My experience is that even when your “baby” is 35 years old, it is still sweet to know what year the special ornaments were made and which one of your little ones made it. “David 2013” written in black Sharpie on the back of an ornament will last at least 39 years (personal experience)!
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Rachel says
I love this! We always had “family” trees growing up and I was so happy when I had finally collected enough special ornaments to be able to decorate a tree. There’s just something really really fun about reminiscing while you are decorating a tree. I love the memories.
Now we get a special ornament each time we go on a fun vacation. Plus, each year we get an ornament that we dedicate as that year’s special ornament. So then we remember vacations, but also what was going on that particular year.
Kathryn says
Yes, yes, yessssssss! I’ll be honest, as lovely as ‘concept trees’ are (and this is a general comment, not specific to your fine selves) they always have made me a little sad, like they’re more a design statement than about the warm-fuzzies. Of course, trees people enjoy are fantastic whatever they look like, including the concept trees, but this year you’ve come out with my absolute favourite kind. Absolutely beautiful!
Lauren says
I love decorating the tree as a time to reflect on the past years together. We get a new ornament every year (first house, engaged, married, etc.) or from any big trip. We have a huge selection of glass balls (or whatever you call them) and pick different colors each year. This year we will announce that I am pregnant (number 1!) at Christmas so we did all pink and blue ornaments from our stash and will add in an “expecting” one. So exciting! I can’t wait until our kids are older and ask about each one, so fun.
Also, we do fake after swearing I never would. Does Clara ever ask for a real one? They are so expensive and wasteful I think!
YoungHouseLove says
She seems to love this one without caring if it’s real, but we got a real tabletop one last year which was really fun. She was sad when it dried out, so I’d love to get a plantable one!
xo
s
Bobbie says
My husband makes an ornament every year from the piece cut from the bottom of our tree. Looks just like yours but less fancy…ha ha! He just paints it and puts the year. I love your idea of doing a bunch of them too…
Bobbie says
oh and we also do a “family tree” now. the themed tree has been long gone for us! lol
Katie says
My husband is working on his PhD and his dissertation is on the Peanuts comic strip. Each year we get a ton of Peanuts ornaments from his mom. She keeps apologizing for buying so many but, I really don’t care – soon enough I’ll have enough Charlie Browns & Snoopy’s to have a Peanuts Christmas tree! I can’t wait!!! (Until then we just have a “family tree” – with COLORED lights!)
Julia | alivingspace says
I LOVE making ornaments for our tree, and I recently started selling them in our Etsy shop! My latest ones are made with air drying clay, which was really fun and easy to work with; mine are pretty complex with state shapes and copper leaf paint and leather hanging cords, but you could totally make a simpler version with Clara! Here’s a link to all my handmade ornament posts, and the air dry clay one is at the top: http://www.alivingspace.com/search/label/Ornaments
Your tree looks fabulous by the way!! I personally prefer the mix and match ornaments with meaning approach. That is an awesome fake tree, too. We always do a real tree, but that one almost makes me jealous! I love how whimsical it looks with those feathery tips.
YoungHouseLove says
Adorable! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo
s
karen says
looks so pretty!! i miss the fast forward video of you guys decorating it.
YoungHouseLove says
Me too! We were using the camera to take pics so we couldn’t record video at the same time, but we’ll have to figure out a way to do that next year!
xo
s
Traci C says
Hi guys! Your tree looks lovely! We do a “family-style” tree every year. Each year before the season really gets going I contemplate doing some type of themed tree, but every year when it comes down to it, I just want to see all of our “memory” ornaments, and we end up doing the family-style tree in the end. It’s ok because I love it! So even though I think that all the trees you’ve done are pretty, I think this years is my favorite one so far! We let our 3 girls decorate almost the whole tree themselves this year – talk about having mini-heart attacks! They are 9, 4, & 2! Daddy helped them reach the top. I’ll be slowly evening the tree out over the next week of so, but they loved it!
sophie says
Sadly, I appear to be allergic to real trees (it’s a wheeze and sneeze fest chez nous for the first week the tree is in the house), so we’ve gone ‘fake tree’. We figure that we’ll have it for 20 years and in that time, reduce the carbon footprint down to almost nothing, given that we’re not driving out to get a tree every year….
We’ve never gone ‘theme’ on the tree, and it’s always been about things that are meaningful to us: the first ornaments we bought together as graduate students, the annual ornaments my sister and I received as kids, the ornaments we have been given by friends and family, the ornaments the kids have made at daycare or school, the ornaments we have crafted together, teh 75% off ornaments from a post-Christmas Ikea visit when we weren’t going to buy anything, but……It’s a hodgepodge of memories and stories, and every time we put up the tree we are reminded of those stories.
WE put ours up on the weekend while my folks were visiting. It’s cheerful and welcoming. Time to get into the season!
Sarah G. says
I’ve always been a fan of the “Memories” theme. Always looks the best to me. So eclectic and interesting. Themed trees can just be kind of monotonous. Kudos to you guys. This tree is so great and the ornament craft is really cool too! Well done.
Shelly M. says
Merry Christmas, Petersik family :) Your tree is beautiful! I was thinking your tree looks like a Balsam Hill tree. Their artificial trees look very realistic. This particular one, I think, looks almost identical to yours. http://www.balsamhill.com/Brewer-Spruce-Tree-p/bre-t.htm?1=1&CartID=0
YoungHouseLove says
Pretty! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo
s
Casey says
We did the same as you actually! It was our son’s first Christmas so I handed down my “baby’s first christmas” ornament to him (24 years old and it still looks great!)
http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy98/matt_cameron2/mattandnathan_zps72e91aa0.png
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo
s
Jessica @ Decor Adventures says
What a fun theme and I love the branches/branch ornaments! Sounds like something we’d do – take a walk in the woods for decorations. I just love those paint markets, they work so well for lots of crafts.
I must ask, what settings did you use to get that first pic? With the windows behind it and all, the lighting looks great!
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jessica! We are learning to shoot in Manual mode, so we used a tripod and just played around with the focal point and the lightness until we liked how it looked.
xo
s
Alex says
Sherry,
That is a great looking fake tree! Where is it from?
YoungHouseLove says
It was a hand me down from my mom so the box is long gone and it doesn’t have any tags. So sorry! Anyone recognize it?
xo
s
Nora Rose says
My parents still have the gingerbread clay ones that we made 15-20 years ago for their tree. Such a sweet reminder!
Anne says
Family trees are the most beautiful… because they are meaningful. Love yours!
Stardancer says
My husband and I are celebrating our first Christmas as a married couple, so this year’s pretty exciting for us :) I have a modest collection from my parents’ ornament-per-year, plus gifts from others, and my mother-in-law is sending a box from her house. I was going to fill it out with some colored spirals or something, but from the way my husband talks about his childhood ornaments there won’t be any space that needs filling!
It’s also my first real tree. That was an interesting adventure (read: I had no idea they’re so finicky to stand up straight) but it’s already worth it!
Stardancer says
Oh–forgot to add that when we have kids (in a few years), I’m definitely going to do the ornament-a-year with them too. I can’t wait to see my ornaments up there with my husband’s and our kids’ :)
Olivia says
We’re decorating tonight – always family ornaments collected over the years. A lot of “baby’s first Christmas” which are now over twenty years old.
Even though we often don’t spend Christmas at home (off skiing this year), we’ve only ever had one artificial tree (the year we were gone for a month).
Any reason why you guys don’t go for a “real” tree? The smell is always the bit of clean up.
YoungHouseLove says
We like a real tabletop one, which we did for the last few years. This year I wanted to get one with a root ball that we can plant. Maybe last minute?
xo
s
Kelly says
So fun! I love decorating the tree with the kiddos. I can’t believe how big Clara has gotten. Time sure flies by. It looks like she is going to be tall just like her dad.
Leila says
So cute! I love that Clara is old enough to start helping and really get into the magic of Christmas… holidays are going to be so fun for you with little ones!
My parents gave each of us kids an ornament in our stocking each year (many years they had a theme or were matching) and when I got married –Christmas wedding!– my mom packed up all my ornaments so I’d have some to start my own tree. I’ve also given my husband an ornament each year since we were 16, so we have many years’ worth of sentimental favorites. I usually can’t help myself and pick up a few clearanced ornaments after Christmas each year, and an ornament is usually the one souvenier we always bring back if we go on a trip. It’s so fun to pull them all out each year!
Ruth says
This is my favorite kind of tree! I really love the stories that come with collected ornaments. Growing up, my parents always gave my sisters and I an ornament each year, often from a family vacation or something else important that year. My grandparents also usually gave us one. And my uncle was a pastor and their family had a Christmas open house for all the people in their church every year. They made an ornament each year for each person/family that attended the open house. We spent plenty of Thanksgivings helping to finish those ornaments up. So the family ornament collection is quite extensive. Each of us kids had our own box of ornaments that we got to put on the tree, and we got to take it with us when we moved out. It was one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Jess says
Growing up, it would never have occurred to me that anyone did a “theme tree.” My family always just puts up the hodepodge of ornaments that we’ve collected over the years. Every year, I get a new ornament from my dad, my grandparents & my aunt and so does my brother. My mom & dad get new ornaments, as well, and it means there’s quite a collection! Now that I have my own place, I put up my own tree and don’t have to worry about buying new ornaments–I already have loads!
caitlin says
Hi Sherry,
I absolutely love those wood cut ornaments you made. super sweet. For safety’s sake it is worth mentioning that a jig should always be used when cross cutting a round item on a mitre saw. I’m guessing that your branch had something that anchored it (a flat side?) and prevented it from spinning with the blade. The scary thing that can happen with round items is that the wood slips and spins in the same direction as the spinning blade (even if you’re really holding on to it) causing it to bite and seize rather than to saw through the wood. It’s super scary -I’ve had this happen to me back in the day when I was a student. Trick is to make a jig that holds the round item in a v-groove, then, no problemo, the blade won’t seize. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great tip! We are at the children’s hospital right now so we can’t edit the post but we’ll add a note about that. Safety first!
xo
s
Lori Anderson says
The tree looks great! All of the personal, hand-made touches make it more special. But I’ve got a question…HOW and WHERE do you store everything during the rest of the year? Have you kept all of the ornaments from each year’s themed tree?
YoungHouseLove says
Just some tubs! It’s actually not too many, and we carefully load everything in and so far that has worked! We posted about how we store stuff last year so you can see that post on our Holiday Odeas page (just click the button on our sidebar).
xo
s
Kim says
Love the tree!! Almost as beautiful as the beaming Clara!!! Our tree had the same zones…hubby, myself and our 4 year old daughter. Although my 2.5yr old son had a different ‘zone’ in mind altogether….his idea of fun was sneaking ornaments off the tree, yelling “hut hut” and throwing them as far as he could… #glassornamentsmakegoodfootballs Hahahah…just a warning mixed in with my happiest congratulations on your Baby Boy news!!! He has been the only one to draw on my walls with crayon, draw on my ‘just out of the wrapping’ new couch with red marker, throw ornaments, fall down our stairs, visit the emergency room… not sure if it’s a boy specific thing, or a second child specific thing. Either way, they complete a family in such an amazing way – like something you never knew you were missing :)
Jenn says
I LOVE how real looking it is! I suffer from severe seasonal allergies, and there is NO way I could ever have a real tree. But I’ve always loved how they look. And I totally thought yours was real until you revealed that it wasn’t!!
I’m currently roomies with my Grama in a very small house, so I have a tabletop 3-ft tree that’s white with bright festive colored ornaments and penguins. But I can’t wait to have a family and have a family tree like this one. They are my favorite!
Bren says
Those tree disc ornaments are awesome! I love how they fit in with your family theme. They do remind me of arrows. You know, that Psalm about children being arrows based on Psalm 127:3-4? “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reqard from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” And with a new baby boy on the way…so perfect. Write his name on one sometime. :D Merry Christmas!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
sydney85 says
When my daughter was 3 I started a playgroup with 5 other little girls. Each Christmas we would have a party and the girls would bring ornaments for each other. This lasted until the girls went to college. One family moved but we still sent our ornaments to them and they would send their set to us. The girls have many ornaments for their own trees now that they are living in their own homes. At our home we also did the photo in a frame finding frames that depicted an activity that our daughter had been involved in such as soccer, ballet and gingerbread when she made her first batch of cookies.
Ariane says
Love it ! This year, I did red&gold with a traditional twist. If you don’t read French, I explain that I had to put the tree up on the wall-to-wall TV stand because of the french bulldog we have for a couple of months who eats everything within her reach … http://www.carrement-marteau.com/lesprit-de-noel/
Take care !
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! So festive!
xo
s
tia says
My favorite of all of your trees and Clara did such an awesome job! Last night I was reminding myself to buy an ornament occasionally. I love that you brought one home from Hawaii.
Jen B says
I am loving reading all the traditions everyone has for their tree!
Each member of our family picks out a new ornament each year, we write our name and the year on the ornament we pick. It is so much fun remembering what we have picked out in years past.
Kim says
I think these are the best kind of trees, decorated with memories. Although I do admit that this year there were a few ornaments whose origins I have forgotten :( My husband suggested we figure out a way to document the ones we can remember — I’m thinking a computer folder containing photos-with-captions.
Anyway…one year I thought it would be fun to go with more of a theme but was quickly voted down by the “Tradition Brigade”. haha And in the end I think they were right. Having a designer tree just doesn’t give the warm fuzzies like one filled with special ornaments.
We started a tradition with our kids when they were small. Each year we’d buy them an ornament of their very own, and when they grew up and moved out, they were given a box with all their ornaments. I always tried to find an ornament that would help recall a special memory from that year. Like the patriotic Santa we gave our daughter the year she turned 18 and could vote. Or the little computer for our son when he was 10 and built his first computer. We continued the tradition up until we moved overseas, including our daughter-in-law those last few years. She says her favorite ornament is the little fridge we bought her, that opens up and the light turns on :)
It’s hard to find ornaments where we live now — they don’t have the variety we’re used to finding in the states — so we stopped. But I’m thinking of reviving it, because you can find so many online now, from Etsy to Amazon to Bronner’s… And now that our first grandchild is coming, we have an added reason to continue the tradition :)
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet! Love all the stories you guys are sharing!
xo
s
Jennie says
She’s a beaut, Clark!
Love the tree …very sweet!
Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says
I love it! This my favorite tree of yours. So sentimental and I love that Clara was so involved. (BTW, has she grown like a foot recently? She’s so tall and sort of grown up looking!)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! I blinked my eyes and she’s a big girl!
xo
s
Anna-Katrin says
We always do a “family tree”, and it’s been a tradition since we were little kids that my mom gets each of us one special ornament each year, which we open on “tree decorating night”. When we get married we get all our ornaments to start our own family tree (and my parents get some breathing room on their very crowded one!) As for making ornaments with kids, we had a lot of fun last year with our daughter (who was 4 1/2 at the time) making cinnamon ornaments and cutting them into shapes with cookie cutters. We made a bunch for ourselves, friends and neighbors, and I’m pleased to report after a year of being wrapped in tissue paper and sealed in ziploc bags they still smell awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
Such a great tree…and so pretty! Those handmade wood ornaments are awesome…I want them for our tree! ;)
Rachael says
I love seeing your Christmas tree every year – it’s always so well thought out! This year, we decided to go really simple with just a few special ornaments. Since we’ve been married, my hubby and I go with a fake tree. It’s too much work to bring a real one into a condo – and a much easier maintenance and cleanup process. I haven’t made any ornaments this year, but last year we made some really cute cinnamon applesauce ones that smell divine!
Claire says
Last year I insisted on a gold and silver themed tree and hid all the non conforming decorations round the back of the tree where it faced the wall! My husband was really disappointed and I think I spoilt the fun for him a bit so this year I said anything goes and we had great fun putting all the decorations wherever we wanted and talking about memories associated with each. I’m happy to see you guys had exactly the same thought. We must be on trend!
Emily Mc says
I love the realistic droopiness of your “new” artificial tree! We got a new one this year (with my requirements: fatter, different kinds of leaves and pinecones!), a 7.5′ Martha Stewart from HD on Black Friday, holla! We got married in May so I figure we would get a new grownup tree to stay with us for many many years. Our tree-style is coastal meets sentimental. It is covered in antique fishing lures, found shells (mostly sand dollars), sea life ornaments, various other beach finds, and old classics mixed in. I will always have those oldies-but-goodies on our tree and can’t wait to add our own as a family now :)
Stacy says
I am also a fan of the family tree and have a great tradition. Each year, I get my son an ornament. His ornaments are noted in a special notebook and kept in their own box and one day when he moves on, he’ll bring a collection of ornaments to his own home. He’s 13 and still loves the tradition of hanging “his” ornaments.
Ashley C says
We have three trees this year. Our main tree has always been and will always be our family tree. It is filled with ornaments from trips we’ve taken, ones our kids have made, ones that were given to us, and ones that we add each year. Growing up I remember my aunt always giving my cousins a new hallmark ornament each year. When we had kids we decided to start that tradition ourselves. Each year it is a special day in our house when we get that ornament catalog and take turns flipping through it to pick out our special one to order. Our second tree is theme is black, red, and silver after our kitchen/dinning decor since it sits in the dinning area. I hope to find some lovely hen/rooster ornaments over the years to add to it. Our third tree is the girly tree I always wanted. Jewel tones and peacocks everywhere.
Sasha says
What a darling tree! We’ve tried out all sorts of themes on our trees over the years, but I always go back to what my other half lovingly refers to as ‘the hot mess Christmas tree’. It’s full of funky things we’ve made out of bits and bobs, ornaments made by friends and loved ones, and treasures we’ve collected. Basically, it’s the story of our family – written in glitter and paper mache! Congrats on your growing family and your growing collection of Christmas goodies!