Our Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is the star of the show in my home.  I have a two story great room and have a ten foot tree in the corner of the room.  When we first moved into our home we had a six foot tree from our townhouse days.  I can't tell you how sad that little tree looked the first year in this room.  So sad, in fact, that the next year I moved the six foot tree into the living room where the ceilings are only nine feet tall, and put in on a small stand to try to make it look bigger.  It still looked like a small tree on a little stand.  So that year, the day after Christmas, I went to Treasure Island and bought this beautiful tree for 75% off. 

The tree is about seven years old now and still is perfect.  I did not get a pre-lit tree (I'm not even sure if that was an option seven years ago).  Instead I wrap each branch and have approximately 1300 white lights on the tree.  For me an artificial tree is the way to go for several reasons.  One, I like to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and I never have to worry about it drying out.  Two, I have alot of ornaments...alot of heavy ornaments.  A real tree wouldn't be able to hold all of my ornaments.  I often bend branches up to hold some of the heavier ornaments.

Here is a view of the tree from the kitchen looking into the great room.  There is some jockeying of furniture that goes on to fit the tree each year. 

An angel bought from Fortunoff tops our tree.  Handmade bows surround the top.  The bows were made using wired ribbon and floral wire. 

The tree skirt is from Pottery Barn from several years ago.  It is quilted and matches our stockings hanging by the fireplace.

After the lights and ornaments are added to the tree I use wired ribbon as garland and wrap it in and out around the tree.  Above it the tree lit up at night.  My favorite time to sit by the tree and enjoy it.

Above is the tree in during the day lit up.

A good view of the ribbon wrapped around the tree.  It is two different patterns of ribbon to match the bows on top of the tree.

This angel is of my favorite ornaments.  Also from Fortunoff.  The paper mache mouse is from when I was a child.

A close up of the angel and the bows at the top of the tree.

I think a tree should be filled with tradition.  Each year our family collects the Hallmark ornaments.  Each person gets at least one, sometimes more if Santa brings extra.  Each year as we unwrap each ornament to put it up we remember when we got it, who we got it from etc.  It's like seeing old friends each year.

But my all-time favorite ornaments are the ones my children make.  The blue yarn ornament above was made when my daughter was four.  It did start out round (I think they glued yarn around a balloon and then popped the balloon).  Over the years it has flattened.  I hung it front and center this year as it still makes me so happy to look at.

Some of my favorite ornaments

Of course, what tree is complete without a train. 

Let me know what you think.  I love and appreciate your comments.

-Judy

Come check out The Nester and Kelly's Korner Christmas Tour of Homes