It's Time to Decorate the Tree!

Decorating Ideas for Your Tree

Some of you may have your tree up and decorated all ready. In my house growing up we brought in the tree the second weekend in December. And like so many traditions that are established in our childhood...I have carried that schedule into adulthood. So...my tree goes up next weekend. If you are looking for new inspiration for your tree, I've compiled some ideas here based both on personal experience and current trends.

The Designer Tree
Metallics are everywhere this year. Take advantage of the readily available decor in silver and gold and consider paring it with your favorite color. Here in the shop we're featuring a gold and lime green tree. Your local craft store will have bins of sparkly picks (feathers, ferns, leaves) at a great discount right now. For under $20 you can bring home all kinds of funky glittery and metallic accents to pick right into your tree. Complete the look with metallic bead garland and glass orbs. We added peacock feathers for a whimsical flair and finished the look with beautiful birds complete with glittery feathers. Also available at craft stores like "Michaels" these bird come with little spring clips attached so it's a breeze to add them to branches. Be sure to look through the decor you already have to find pieces you can include.

The Woodland Tree
Into more of a cottage or cabin look? Put nature center-stage! Our woodland tree at the shop this year is chock full of berry garlands and picks. Mix and match for a less formal looking tree. We recycled our harvest and fall decor by adding mini Indian corn and popcorn ears, gourds, birch branches, and dried quince slices. Dried lotus pods and artichokes are a great addition too. Think out of the box...we added in deer figurines to complete the woodland look. Distressed metal ornaments or anything featuring deer, moose, bears, and fish are perfect addition. Do you have birch trees on your property? Collect some birch bark and simply tuck it in around your tree! Raffia makes a unique and inexpensive garland for the woodland tree.

The Folk Art Tree
Create vintage appeal this year! The folk art tree is all about the use of found objects and the unexpected. One year I did this style by hanging old kitchen utensils and flatware from bits of raffia and vintage ribbons throughout the tree. A set of old tin cups, an old rusty hand blender, wooden butter molds, old wooden wash boards, and vintage Christmas cards are just a few ideas that make a tree like this a showpiece! In the shop we have a mini tree decorated in little folk art signs with quaint messages like "patience," "comfort", and "arrive." Primitive wooden hearts and stars are also a perfect addition. Are you a "collector?" Explore your collections of personal treasures for the Folk Art Tree.

The Comfort Tree
The economic climate is impacting all of us. A trend toward what is familiar and comfortable is certainly "in" this year! Do you have grown children? Go back and dig out those old ornaments you put away years ago...you know the ones...the homemade wreaths made out of jigsaw puzzle pieces, or the popsicle stick star, the finger-painted Santa, and the pine cone mice. Bring out the memories and make your tree all about family. Do you have young children or grandchildren? Why not set aside an afternoon or evening to make ornaments. Popcorn and cranberry or construction paper ring garlands are just plain old warm and cozy! While you have those old ornaments out consider wrapping one up and putting it under the tree for the grown child who made it. Some of the most sentimental and important ornaments on my tree at home and the ones from my childhood that my Mom packaged up for me as a special gift.

Happy Decorating!

Don't forget that new LED lights for your tree are an energy efficient alternative and a worthwhile investment!

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