The Ultimate Christmas Tree Decorating Guide

Before we get into the ultimate Christmas tree decorating Guide…

This is how I see the holiday season.

Ya know… When they tell you on the airplane to put your oxygen mask on first before helping those who might need help, like your young children? (or people who act like children)?

I mean, how are you supposed to help others, if you, yourself are incapacitated? And hasn’t the oxygen mask become a metaphor for a simple life rule that most of us forget all too often?

Take care of yourselves first, so that you can then care for others.

It’s a good thing to remember and why I’m beginning with decorating your home. Because it’s too much to have to think about that (unless you’re already all set) AND the gifts AND cooking…

And try not to freak out (too much) about the fact that the holiday season is well-nigh upon us!

In fact, I might be having company this year, for Thanksgiving. I mean REAL company besides my children. They would be happy eating on the floor on paper plates.

Company as I would be embarrassed a million deaths if she knew what I was using for flatware. College students have better. I’m serious.

Why is this so? Well, for 95% of my life, absolutely no money at all. And it’s just a habit not to buy anything for myself. Oh, the irony!!! But, that needs to change.

But, let’s move on because I have sooooo much to share with y’all!

Geeezzz… I think that my eye balls have turned into silver balls! or gold balls. green balls…red balls…

But, I have searched far and wide, for the best looking, best buys in Christmas Tree Decorating

And more.

Inspiration Christmas Trees!

It never fails. I start thinking about this in September. It’s still hot. Oh, I have plenty of time…

And now the season is bearing down on us! Thanksgiving is only 8 days away!

But before I go on…

Yes, it’s the speech. And I feel it’s necessary because of past experience and because the holidays are a hot bed subject, a trigger for some people and while 99.3% of you are beyond delightful, .7% of you are not. And it’s the .7% who need to read this. The rest of you may skip past.

A few things to know

• All holiday posts and pages are 100% not having anything to do with religion.
• So, I might very well put a Menorah on a Christmas table or Hanukkah ornaments on the Christmas Tree. Or have a Hanukkah tree, filled with beautiful ornaments and lights.There is no such thing as a Hanukkah tree, some might say. Who says so? And if not, why not? (rhetorical questions)

And this is in no way meant to be disrespectful to your beliefs whatever they may be, but purely to spread love, joy, light and hopefully a way to make your season easier and more beautiful. I’ll leave the religious part to those who do that for a living. Decorating is what I do.

However, if you find my non-secular posts offensive, it still doesn’t give you the right to crap on me, no matter how wrong and misguided you think I am. If it really bothers you that I’m putting a dreidel on a Christmas tree. That should be your worst problem. However, no incendiary remarks either in comments or in my email- please. There is a zero tolerance policy for flaming on this site– even IF you feel justified in giving me a piece of your mind. You’re not.

So many families are of mixed faiths, in any case and the families celebrate everything. I love that!

end of speech.

Let’s get started. I’m so excited!

Do you ever see a holiday tree and go “oh man, I wish that mine looked like that?”

But then, you have no idea where to begin?

Well, hopefully, after looking at these seven (no, it’s really three for this post because as usual, I bit off…) inspiring ideas, you’ll have a better idea.

Our first tree has to be one of the most exquisite I’ve ever seen. I first posted it four years ago in this post about 22 magical Christmas trees.

I think that all told, I’ve spent an entire week of my life looking at this magical tree. And I am sorry to say that I do not know its source or many of the trees I’m going to share. If you do, please let me know and I will add it in with a link back, if there is one.

This tree looks like it might be in a public space and it is quite large. The branches slope down a little and it’s a fairly narrow tree. I’ve included two trees. It’s actually, the same tree, but two different sizes. Of course, if your room can handle a higher tree, you may do one as tall as you like.

I love how the ribbons seem to appear out of nowhere. On, the tree I had a few years ago (which you can see here), I did it by cutting the ribbon in small pieces and tying or attaching further inside the tree. One thing I am not fond of is wrapping the ribbon around and around the tree. It almost always looks dated and amateurish, IMO.

Please enjoy widget #one which I spent an entire day putting together because I wanted to come as close as possible to replicating this one tree! In each widget, I’ve also included some Christmas trees that I think would work. You can also see more trees here.

You can click on the individual images, if you’d like to know more.

Next Tree is Classic white on white Christmas Tree Decorating

These ornaments can stand alone or get mixed in with others as in most trees, the white feels refreshing.

One thing. Most of the time, I like to see some of the tree. Some trees I’ve seen are so laden with stuff that there’s no tree left. I find that a little odd.

French Country Cottage

Please check out Courtney’s blog if you don’t already follow it. She always has the best trees!

I adore a flocked tree. In fact, every year I love them more and more! You can find some of my favorites here.

But this green and white tree is so fresh. Love this look!

Please enjoy the white on white widget.

Our Final Grouping today is Classic Red and Green.

Tory Burch

However, I find that the best red and green trees have various shades of green. These four are all different, but all beautiful.

Raz Imports

I am wondering if they did the first tree as well, because the leaves look the same ant the style of tree skirt is the same.

And the final widget for tonight featuring ornaments for a red and green Christmas tree

Phew! And I have four more trees coming!!!

• A yummy celadon tree
• There’s a pink tree
• A blue and white tree
• And yes, a Hanukkah Tree. But it could also be a Christmas tree and vice versa.

Also coming is a separate holiday page which will be in the menu with sub pages to keep things organized for decor and dozens of cool (well, I think so) gifts.

The goal is to be a valuable source for your holiday shopping needs.

Now, I know that some likely questions are…

What happened to Thanksgiving? Where is YOUR tree, Laurel?

Well… part of getting through not only the season, but life in general, once the oxygen mask on, is knowing one’s limitations.

And it’s especially true at this time of year.

But, do not lose hope. I very much am hoping to share some decorating with you, but can’t promise at this time. It’s still just me doing everything which I realize is nuts but that’s the way it is for now.

However, I’m going to leave you with some information that I have gleaned from my research regarding Christmas tree decorating. Sources!

Where to get the best trees/ornaments/holiday decor at the best prices?

Aside from your local tag sales and the like, hands down the best source for all things Christmas is Amazon.

But, it’s not the only one.

Another fabulous source, especially for their Faux Christmas trees is Wayfair. But they have a vast selection of ornaments and other accoutrements for the holidays.

Terrain – Fabulous, fabulous faux Christmas trees and some real ones too!

Pottery Barn – good ol’ PB. What would we do without them? They have some astonishingly beautiful ornaments at great prices too! Oh, crap, their current sale is ending in a few hours. I am going to order some things for myself too! Like my favorite flatware!

Williams Sonoma – has a fabulous new collection of Chinoiserie ornaments.

Crate and Barrel

Etsy – Of course. Fabulous ornaments and gifts. But if you want anything custom, you need to get cracking.

One Kings Lane – New and vintage plus always so many inspiring images!

Wisteria – Plus they are having a holiday sale right now!

Anthropologie – Great gifts and whimsical ornaments.

Target (aka: Tarzhay) – Have to be honest. They are good but not as good as they were six years ago when I did my tree 100% from their store.

Home Depot – has some pretty awesome faux trees. I do love their Martha Stewart trees.

Pier One Imports – Did you know that they have an EXTENSIVE faux floral collection? Well, they do and it is quite nice.

BBB – no silly, not the Better Business Bureau ;] Bed, Bath and Beyond which as we know has gone waaaaay beyond anything bed and bath.

Much to my disappointment, the following three sources cannot be widgetized (not that’s a word) at this time; but I would be remiss not to include them.

And someone will crap all over me if I don’t. :]

Balsam Hill – Exquisite. Trees. Ornaments. Everything. But their trees are sold on Amazon. The Amazon link above takes you there.

Ballard Designs – Damn you Suzanne Kasler! Just kidding. Everything she touches is magnificent. I am supposed to be able to put them in my widget but there’s some hang up, apparently.

Frontgate – Yeah, I know… They’re like the catalog that one dumps straight into the recycling but maybe should reconsider because they have a fabulous collection of home furnishings including some gorgeous Christmas ornaments, etc. And gorgeous, gorgeous blue and white Chinoiserie ornaments.

Well, that was fun! More coming soon!

xo,

And a few more terrific sources for holiday decor AND gifts pointed out by Lorri!

World Market – fabulous collection of fun ornaments and affordable gift items.

Macy’s – oh dear! “black friday” is starting Thursday? hmmm… If that were only online, that would be cool, but I fear that means that the store is open on turkey day. Can’t we have our holiday? Well, I guess that they have to pay for those huge balloons and fireworks somehow. Anyway, there’s a preview of what will be on sale. And of course, not to be a hypocrite. I’m all for black friday sales. But on Friday, not Thanksgiving Day!

Jamali Garden – Not familiar with this source but they have some lovely ornaments and decorating supplies

Horchow – Owned by Neiman Marcus, they carry numerous high-end home furnishings and beautiful ornaments, too.