Yes, we’re those people.
I personally get irritated whenever stores skip holidays. For example, if I’m walking around Target and they have Christmas stuff out but it’s not even Thanksgiving. Not ready yet. Let me get through Turkey Day before you push your red & white santas and snowmen on me. But this year we did the unthinkable…
… we set up our Christmas tree before Thanksgiving. I’m so sorry. Feel free to virtually slap us or break out an “oh no you di’int.”
We’ve already warned our Thanksgiving guests, and thankfully they acted like it was some fun novelty. So we’ll be able to tell you firsthand if turkey and mashed potatoes taste less Thanksgiving-ish when eaten in the same room as a big glowing Christmas tree.
Why the rush? Well, we usually like to decorate our tree the first week of December. Sometimes the second if we’re not especially on the ball. But since we’re moving in mid December we decided that in order to enjoy it for the three-weeks-or-so period that we normally do, especially since it’s Clara’s first Christmas, we had to break that baby out a bit early this year (before we have to pack everything up for the move in a few weeks).
Our color scheme this time around is champagne, metallic green, silver, and pink – all in honor of Clara’s aforementioned first Christmas (check out last year’s citrus theme here, and the year before that’s monchromatic scheme here). Thankfully we already owned a lot of silver and champagne colored ornaments so we got the pink bulbs along with some metallic green ones for $20-ish at Michael’s (where they were having a half-price holiday ornament sale). I was going for something frosted and girly but not too feminine for the guys in the house (I resisted the urge to bring in some over the top pink feathered boas as garland with John and Burger in mind). Speaking of our four-legged son, this festive chihuahua ornament (from John’s Godmother) is too hysterical not to put up- even though it’s not technically pink, silver, green, or champagne.
Ditto for our just married moose ornament (it’s a bride moose and a groom moose, procured during our Alaskan honeymoon). So even though it’s hardly glam and baby-girl-esque, it’s too sentimental to leave out:
And you already may have noticed a few other personalized ornaments that worked their way in- like this silver (yes, it even fits into our color scheme) Empire State Building ornament that reminds us of our early days in NYC.
In the end we love how soft and sweet it looks (John approves, and Burger seems oblivious as always). Definitely baby-girl-ish, but not too overdone and pastel-y to work in a room with a geometric rug and a clean-lined modern sofa. And of course I tossed down our faux sheepskin rugs as a tree skirt (an odd tradition that we’ve kept up for the past 4+ years).
Oh yeah, and for the second year in a row we’ve had a bit of an issue with the pre-lit tree (the bottom strand of lights was out, but the solution was as simple as stringing a strand of lights around the bottom to correct it). I’m sure we could try to find the bulb that’s burned out to fix it for real, but the added-strand-o-lights approach works just as easily for us (since we already had one around).
So that’s our tree this year. What about you guys? Any fun color schemes or themes swimming around in your head for your own tree decorating adventures in a few weeks (edible? jewel toned? Jersey Shore inspired?). Let’s chat. If you’re ready, that is. If not feel free to wait the obligatory week or so to join the conversation.
Psssst- If you’re excited to get into your red footie pajamas and go holiday crazy, check out this section of our Projects page for lots of Christmas-related stuff.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Kate says
My husband and I are doing our first tree this year! We’ve been married two years, but didn’t bother doing a tree last year. This year we have a couple ornaments (“first Christmas” ones last year from our parents, and a couple other random ones) so we’re going to steal a little table top tree from my mom-in-law (or go buy one if we can’t steal that one; but she has about 5 so we’re hoping…) and decorate our little tree!
Jenna says
My family has a tradition of getting an ornament each year. My main tree is a nostalgic collection of all the ornaments I have received over the years. We also have a second tree in the family room dedicated to my daughter. Its covered in pink decorations, feather boas, fairies and butterflies. Not at all traditional or Christmas-y but everyone loves it and it makes her happy.
Ann says
You would be surprised how passionately people feel about this subject… For example, I needed a Christmas tree two weeks ago and while purchasing it, I cannot tell you how many people were glaring at me as if to say, “Don’t you know the natural order of things?!” Well, let me tell ye who vehemently despise early displays of festivity. Some people, such as those whose husbands are deploying to the Middle East for all the holidays, need to celebrate together as a family in October. I can’t tell you how thankful I was so see trees out in October this year. So please do not grimace at the premature caroling folks.
1916home.net says
Wow thats early! We go with a more European tradition of getting our tree the night before Christmas and having a party decorating it. Its always a mystery what type of tree we will get, because pickings are slim the night before Christmas. BUT… we usually get our tree for free or $5 or $10. Last year we paid nothing (‘cept for home baked cookies) and we had a 8ft tall tree in a 9ft tall living room :) Talk about fun overkill! I think the tag on our tree last year was $140 (southern california), not bad for the price of some cookies.
Lindsey says
I’m so excited about decorating for Christmas this year, thanks, I think, to the new pre-lit artificial tree I ordered on sale from Ideeli. I’ve been counting down the days until its arrival and it came today! I’m halfway through setting up the tree, but had to take a break (I’m home sick today) to rest.
My decorating scheme is set to complement the tree — which I’m insanely happy about because it’s WHITE (the better to lighten up my dark living room)! So turquoise, lime green, dark purple and hot pink ornaments, along with some ornaments from my childhood that must go on the tree.
Normally I don’t decorate until the weekend after Thanksgiving, but excitement about my new tree, the late holiday and going out of town right after Thanksgiving has me decorating early,
Kolbi says
I’m looking forward to see your baby-proof tree next year. My little one is 18 months which added a whole new layer of Christmas decorating complication. Stockings can’t be hung on the mantle because they are the perfect reaching distance for a toddler……And safe ornaments on the lower half of the tree….etc. Once things were set up this weekend we let him have full reign to see what else was a potential hazzard, not earlier recognized. But I must admit, we love having a little babe around for the holidays. Makes it so much more magical!
Relevant Notes says
Ahhhh such a pretty tree! And such a cute video — It looked like Clara wanted to eat all the ornaments :)
Briel K. says
I don’t know why but I always love watching those fast forward videos. Thanks for sharing your tree! :)
tarynkay says
I never even knew people had Christmas tree themes until, well, now. Your tree looks great! We wait till later into December to put the tree up, but we don’t take it down until after Christmas is over, which for us is at Ephiphany (January 6) though some people keep it going until The Feast of Presentation (February 2) So keeping the tree up till February is totally legitimate! The first Christmas that my parents were married, they owned no ornaments and were so poor that they decorated the tree with my mother’s hair ribbons. This was adorable, but ever since, it has been one of the goals of my mother’s life to make sure that each of her children left home with a full box of Christmas ornaments.
Jes says
That video is AWESOME! My almost three-year-old keep saying “again again” when it ended and my one-year-kept making the sign for “more.” I think they loved Clara–perhaps they can relate? We already started decorating. But I’m trying to keep the Christmas decor away from the Thanksgiving decor. I don’t want to cause any holiday confusion in the tots’ little brains.
Christina says
Looks great! We’re feeling Christmasy early this year at our house too! We get a live tree every year, and the theme of our tree is always “family.” We’ve bought a non-breakable ornament on every vacation and trip together since our honeymoon, and it’s a fun way to reminisce and count our blessings every year as a family as we decorate the tree (nothing breakable on our tree so the kids can have fun hanging ornaments too). We’ve got everything from a NYC yellow taxi to a gondolier from Venice and a bear from the Appalachians. We also add a homemade felt advent ornament each night as a family up until Christmas day. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Jenn says
Thank goodness I’m not alone! We put up our decorations and tree (white, silver, black and a hint of red color scheme) last weekend. The weather was perfect and nothing was on our schedules so it seemed like the perfect time for us.
Your tree looks beautiful by the way!
Christy says
Pretty! I generally wait until after Thanksgiving, but that’s just because I have too much going on to decorate earlier. IMO, Thanksgiving and Christmas blur into one big holiday season, and intertwining decorations is part of that!
And remember with the artificial tree – those things are covered in lead, and you want to keep baby far far away!
Brittany says
I have my mantle decorated, so you’re not alone. Our tree will be up this weekend. We have maintained a red and gold theme, so I can stock up on beautiful ornaments whenever.
We bought a full, 8′ prelit tree at a garage sale a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, we didn’t notice the water damage on the box, so none of the lights worked. We had to cut off 1200 lights. It took several hours but was completely worth it for $20 and a beautiful tree.
Melissa Irvin says
LOVE the video! I really enjoyed the close ups of Clara – looks like she is talking! She just wanted to nosh on those ornaments! Precious and priceless!
Christina Shelton says
My hard and fast rule has always been that Christmas doesn’t start in our house until Dec. 1st. However, I’m glad you posted your video since you will have a few weeks more experience than I will. Is Clara crawling yet? How do you keep her safe around the tree, and the tree safe from her? My son will be 6 months old on Christmas Eve and I’ve been wondering how it will work to have the tree set up in the same room where the baby spends most of the day. He doesn’t crawl yet but he’s working on it. The only thing I can think of is to put up a smallish tree on top of a table in the corner. Any ideas? Has Clara made a run for the tree yet?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Christina,
Clara is just a smidge over 6 months but not crawling yet. We expect her to be a lot more mobile in a few more months, so next year’s tree will probably be a whole different ballgame! As for your little guy, if he’ already on the go, a tabletop tree would be a great solution. Good luck!
xo,
s
Selina says
I’m stealing your suggestion for a Jersey Shore themed tree…complete with Snooky’s pouf as the topper and the tree will have to be sprayed orange in honor of spray tanning.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Okay so I commented on your earlier post that I was in Michael’s last night shopping for centerpiece stuff. I was also shopping for ornaments, and I was thiiiis close to buying those ones! Seriously we gotta stop doing this, if we worked together we’d be the people who unknowingly show up in matching outfits ;)
But I passed on them because of the pink. I don’t have a baby girl, so I’m sticking with a blue and silver muted color scheme…but not until the second weekend in December or so since we’re getting a real tree :)
Lesley says
Great video! I don’t decorate before Thanksgiving, but I have no problem if other people do– it’s too fun!
Kati says
@Amanda – I’ve been using our Thanksgiving tablecloths as tree skirts. I host Thanksgiving, and usually my sister hosts Christmas, so we don’t need the extra table cloths for dinner. Plus, we have a table cloth that I found that almost matches our dining room wall color, so it sort of pulls that color into our living room (which is open to it by french doors). Anyway, it’s my thrifty way of not having to buy two things that I pretty much only use once a year.
mribaro says
Clara trying to taste ornaments is hilarious! So cute. The tree looks so classy and sophisticated, yet quirky and fun in details :)
As this tree was decorated with Clara in mind, I’ll share with you how a friend of mine has been decorating her tree ever since she got a son – veeeeery kid-proof and kid-friendly! What she did is she’d bought a dozen of small, white, plush bears with red pointed caps, and she hangs those instead of glass balls. That way she thinks if the tree falls down because a toddler pushed it or something, at least there won’t be million sharp shards on the floor from broken oranments. She also adds some velvety bows and some silk ones, and a couple of pom-poms. Her tree looks nice because she sticks to a limited color scheme – red and white on a green artificial tree, but at the same time it’s fun when you realize what the ornaments are :)
Shreya says
Thanks! :)
Mandy says
Yeah I’m with you on both counts… I hate that stores skip holidays! But this year, all of my Christmas decor is out as of Sunday night and I have to say I love it. I skipped decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving so I don’t have any “mixing” of decor… the horror! =) Plus we don’t host Thanksgiving so no one has to know…
We did it out of necessity this year since we won’t be home the next two weekends and having just three weeks of it up didn’t seem like enough. But now that I know how awesome it is to be done early, I might do this every year.
But still no Christmas carols for a couple weeks…yeesh.
brandt @ New House on the Blog says
Sherry,
I’m thinking the correct phrase to use isn’t “No you din’t,” but more appropriately, “Child Please.”
Please advise.
;-) you all are too funny. And the Burger/Claire video on FB was epically awesome as well.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you’re cracking us up Brandt.
Child please.
xo,
s
Krys72599 says
My SIL puts up her tree the week before Thanksgiving because that’s one holiday when we’re all together at the same time, rather than in waves throughout Xmas Day… So if it wasn’t up, it would be a real downer for us all.
This year I’m going to put up my tree (pre-lit) on Thanksgiving morning, while the potatoes are cooking and the salad’s being made, and then I’ll start decorating it a little each night once December rolls around.
There just aren’t enough hours in a holiday day!!!
Lyndsey says
Love it!! I have been holding back putting up our tree even though I’m dying to. Thanksgiving night, it’s going up!
Your color scheme on the tree is very pretty and festive–really compliments what you’ve got going on in the room.
Hope Santa’s good to Clara!!:)
kelly says
haha, don’t feel bad! I am normally the same way.. I hate Christmas before Thanksgiving! But this year, for some reason, I wanted to decorate last weekend! Ah well :)
Your tree looks great! We stick to the same red, gold & silver theme every year :)
J'Anns Boutique says
Looks great!
hehe too funny, every time an ornament comes close Clara’s mouth opens lol.
Hannah says
Love the tree! It looks beautiful!
Any ideas on how to ‘puppy proof” a Christmas tree? This is my first Christmas with a dog in the house and I’m terrified to put up our Christmas tree. Fondly nicknamed “Destructo-Dog,” she has a habit of getting into things she shouldn’t.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Hannah,
We’re definitely not experts on that (since Burger is so small and oblivious when it cones to messing with our tree). Does anyone with a bigger dog have ideas for Hannah? Maybe just try using ribbon and unbreakable ornaments like wooden or fabric ones.
xo,
s
Amanda says
Love your use of the IKEA sheepskin. I wanted to do the same but we don’t have an IKEA here in Colorado until next year. Unfortunately my searching at the local fabric stores didn’t unveil anything more than horrible fur that wasn’t suitable.
My solution? Cheap and easy burlap! Add that to the list for other tree skirt options. I used 3 yards and wish I would have went for about 4 – 5 actually. Oh well, live and learn.
Sammy says
Nice tree!
Our tree is usually very traditional:
It has traditional red ornaments (metallic and matte), straw stars, golden painted nuts, red or white candles (but we prefer to use electric lights) and miniature presents (match boxes wrapped in gift paper).
We go with the German tradition and set our (real) tree on the 23. December and it stays with us until the 6. January. Then it will be thrown out the window (oh yes!)
Because it’s somehow difficult to get a really nice one the day before Christmas, we buy it mid-December and just let it outside where it’s chilly until we bring it inside ;)
Lauren says
Cudos to you for putting your tree up!! I am waaay impressed you put it up even with your soon-to-be move! When we were preparing to move, we didn’t bother with one decoration and just concentrated on packing. Will you be re-putting it up in the new house to adorn your first Christmas in the new casa??
I’m excited we’re getting our tree this coming weekend. Typically we do the real tree deal, but this year we’re hoping to snag a bargain on Black Friday for a non-real one (I don’t want to say fake!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lauren,
We’ll have to see how the move goes. Right now it’s a definite maybe. We’ll hang our stockings no matter what though!
xo,
s
Kathy Blake says
I always start in November because I put up several trees, and miles of garland. By the time Thanksgiving gets here, I am VERY THANKFUL to have it all up so that I can enjoy it for a while. It’s a lot of work, and I LOVE seeing the house all lit up. Christmas decor is one of my absolute favorite things about the holiday season. In the living room the colors are silver, gold, purple, & cream/ivory. It’s done in kind of a religious theme. Lots of crosses, angels, wise men, musical instruments (harps), churches, etc. The dining room & kitchen are done in red, silver, white, & icy looking things. The theme is woodland/outdoorsy. There are pine cones, cardinals, white birds, berries, picks with snow and ice on them, etc. I would like to add some birdhouses eventually. The bedroom is more exotic. The colors are topaz, turquoise/teal, and a goldish yellow color. There are peacocks and butterflies mixed in with the regular ornaments on that tree. All of my trees have stuff sticking out from them. Like ting-tings, berry branches, peacock feathers, etc. I usually add more decor items each year. My favorite thing we purchased this year is one of those rotating tree stands for the tree in the dining room. LOVE IT!
My family is used to the decorations going up early. My kids actually like it. My son (who is now 22) has already started putting his tree up in his bedroom! All of his friends love seeing it as well. In fact, one of them stopped by the other day and asked why the main tree wasn’t finished yet! LOL!
Danielle@Newlyweds Paradise says
Every year, we put our tree up the week of Thanksgiving. The reason is because my mom loves when we help put her tree up. By the time we put hers up, we are treed out. One year that bummed us out because we didn’t enjoy putting our own up. So we decided every year to do it the week before Thanksgiving. We still have the glass pumpkins by the fireplace, because we love Thanksgiving also. The rest of our decorations will go up in December.
Brandy says
I love your blog and especially loved the super-fast tree trimming (so wish I could get mine decorated that fast)! I started a tradition about 14/15 years ago of purchasing a photo frame ornament that I could write the year and put in a pic of my babies. I also purchase a separate ornament depending on what they are into that particular year (superman, karate, girl scouts, etc). Fast forward 14 years and three kiddos later and I’ve amassed quite a collection!! My plan being that once my babies are grown and have homes of their own, I get to keep the photo frame ornaments and they get to take the other ones with them.
Enjoy your first Christmas with your beautiful baby, it’s goes by soooo fast! Also, enjoy what may soon be your last Christmas with ornaments hangin from the bottom of your tree! :)
Alicia says
To each thier own I say! I normally feel the same way (hey what’s w/the christmas before thanksgiving) but this year we may go the same route. In our house we wait until the weekend after our daughter’s birthday (Dec 2nd) since she already shares the christmas month and in the danger zone of the dreaded ‘joint gift’ (you know it’s a birthday/christmas present). However this year we are headed out of town for the week of christmas, the whole week before so we are going to get a tree this weekend!
Kele S. says
There must be something in the air, because we’re doing ours tonight as well. Also, I have the mantel and house decked out in Christmas get this- 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. For shame- right? But my excuse is this will be our first tree in our new house, and I was excited to decorate our house for the first time. Also, it’s good to see you guys doing a tree with colors, and some personal touches (souvenir obtained ornaments). I feel like that has more personality then those monochrome, white and silver trees that are so popular. (But I confess I did neutrals and metallics for the home decor) I’m doing a colorful tree though!
Julie G. says
So funny! We usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving but this time I have to work so I put up everything but the tree (we get a live one) this past weekend. My 5 and 7 year old have been telling everyone we celebrate “Christgiving” at our house!
Mike @HA says
Confession: We have our stuff up too. Just not the tree yet since we want a real one and it may die before Christmas.
Katrina says
We have always been “no earlier than December 1” decorators, which has been pushed later thanks to our girl’s birthday in early December. We plan to put out a few things like an advent calendar right away, but we wait for the big decorating push until after we’ve celebrated her birthday. So, does your house feel super festive for Thanksgiving now, or more like a hodge-podge of holidays?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katrina,
It actually feels super festive. We’re having fun with it since we figure we’ll soon be living out of boxes. Might as well enjoy it while we can!
xo,
s
Kelly says
This year I’m going to have a white tree (for the first time ever). I’m going to decorate with silver, gold, and white ornaments. I decided to use a white feather boa to wrap around the base of the tree and some white feathers for the top. I can’t figure out what to use (or what color)for the tree skirt. Any ideas?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
A white furry or nubby blanket would be nice as a tree skirt, or you could even use burlap as another commenter geniusly recommended a few comments back!
xo,
s
Joanie says
I LOVE your tree! I always want to do a “themed” tree with a color scheme. However, I have all my ornaments from growing up and there are A LOT of them. I really want to showcase those ornaments, but without having them overtake the tree. Do you add any other ornaments from your childhood to your tree? Maybe have 2 trees??
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Joanie,
We actually don’t have a second tree but it’s a great solution for someone in your situation. We just have a few sentimental ornaments that we proudly hang regardless of that year’s color scheme, but as that number grows we might consider adding a second tree as well.
xo,
s
xo,
s
stacy says
I love it!! Are those the faux rugs from Ikea…how many did you have to use to get the right coverage? I’m planning a trip just for these must haves!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stacy,
Two of them worked for us, but if your tree is fatter three is probably best. Good luck!
xo,
s
Andrea Melberg Thompson says
I bet yoru new house you have two trees…one with a theme, and a little one with all your cherished, special ornaments that will grow with the years.
abriana says
so cute!! makes me excited to decorate. that’s all i’ll be doing on friday (since I just can’t do it before Thanksgiving) but I dont blame you for wanting to extend Clara’s first christmas!!
Who is singing the song? So fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Abriana,
We linked to the site with more song info on it at the end of the video. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
joni says
always love your tree time lapse! keep up the great work guys!
Amanda says
I love how all the Clara parts are “dangle ornament in front of baby, let baby grab at ornament, grab ornament away when baby tries to eat it.” She’s so adorable!
Melody says
I have always one of those annoying (to other people)people who put their tree up way early…but does it really matter? your house, your rules! :)
Alissa says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the video! I love how you included Clara for such a time span and she didn’t seem fussy at all! You two must give her so much wonderful attention by including her like that. :)
Nicolette {Momnivore's Dilemma} says
For Amanda- Why not do a quick sew of old favorite tee-shirts for a tree skirt?
Yep. I am guilty as charged. I raided Michael’s and made a Christmas wreath. It’s already on the door.
But, point being, it feels like Christmas here in Chicago today. 32 degrees. Freezing point. So up with the blingy wreath.
I did it for $10! Check it out the “recession wreath”: http://momnivoresdilemma.blogspot.com/2010/11/shes-crafty-recession-wreath.html