The Trees of Christmas

To all the people who say they can't decorate Christmas trees well. Phooey! Trees are easy. You put enough stuff on them and even not so wonderful trees look good. I am posting my recipe for a tree in case anyone wants to give it a shot. I don't have a pic of setting the tree up. This usually entails lots of swearing and bad facial expressions, so I didn't go there on camera. Hopefully your tree is pre-lit. If not, buy a new tree. Or you can wire it yourself, again, with a colorful vocabulary and more facial grimaces. Lights are very important. If you are doing them yourself, don't do a half-a@#ed job. They are the basis for a beautiful tree. I would use strands of 100 twinkle lights, without the twinkle flashy thing enabled. I personally don't like lights that flash at me. I also like the brilliance of white lights. Nothing sets your tree off quite like little white lights. Colored lights are fun too, but don't have the brilliance of the white ones. I have used all blue lights in trees for a very quiet, almost nightlike feeling. All green is really pretty too. Use your imagination and have fun with different things every year if you are up to it physically and financially. Wire from the trunk out to the ends of the branches and back and move to the next branch. Yes, this takes lots of time and lots of lights, but the result is amazing. Only 3 sets of 100 can be connected with any success before getting a new plug to plug into. Green extension cords are the bomb! Otherwise, they look good for awhile and then BAM!, they short out and you are left crying. This I know from experience. Sadly.



Now that your tree is up and lit you are ready for the good stuff. Next comes the garland. Whatever kind of garland you prefer. I have this beautiful stuff Nana bought that is all gold leaves and beaded berries. (Above) I run it kind of at a diagonal so it sort of spirals down the tree. You can use lengths of lots of things for garland. Paper chains, commercial tinsely stuff, ribbon, rag garland, beaded ropes, strands of pearls, popcorn strung with cranberries, whatever. It all works. Decide weather you like it diagonal, around horizontally or streaming down the tree from the top vertically.



Next I do the top of the tree. (Above) I have been using poinsettias and bows, and some fern-like pokey things for the past few years. I think I am going to find a pretty star for next year. Angels are good. Whatever you like at the top goes next. On this tree, this is also when I add my ribbon in-between the gold and red garlands. If you are using ribbon with wire in the edges, it sort of coils this way and that as it comes off the roll. Let it loop and tuck it in a branch here and there for a loopy, swirly effect. (Below)



Now for the glitz and glitter (and bling)! Ornaments go next. The really big ones go toward the bottom and I work them into the branches so they are kind of "in" the tree and add some dimension. You can use big ones anywhere, but if you only have a few, place them from eye level down for the best exposure. I have ornaments that are all similar in design and color for the over-all tree. The tall packs they sell at Costco or Sam's are wonderful for this and are usually non-breakable. Then I have ornaments of all sizes and kinds that are wonderful on a tree. Lots of variety and precious memories are in ornaments. I try to buy a few one-of-a-kind ornaments every year to add to our collection. Then of course are things that dangle. I like crystal "icicles", or prisms or faceted teardrops, whatever reflects and refracts light is good. Glittered snowflakes are fun too. Last of all if you like even more pokey things, glittered spiral branches, coils of whatever and glittery or foil sprays are the final touch.



My finished tree above. I love getting it done and just sitting and looking at it. It is thoughts of many Christmases and seeing the traditions on the tree that help bring me the peace of the season. I know that trees don't have anything to do with why we celebrate Christmas, but they have everything to do with how. They do symbolize so many good things at this time of year. I do love Christmas trees. Below is Jacque and Dawson's tree that I help her with every year. I love going to her home and spending the better part of a day getting her tree up and ready for her family to enjoy. She does red and gold like me with a tartan plaid ribbon and gold beads for her garland. Good times.



I had the pleasure of doing Gramma's tree for her this year. Not just the ribbon this year, but the whole tree. Been wanting to do that for years. Had a lot of fun with it, but didn't have my camera that day. I will try and get a photo later this month.
I also helped Summer decorate the school office lobby where she works. That was an interesting tree. All colored lights which I had to wire on the tree myself (time for a new pre-lit tree for them), there was much gnashing of teeth on that part. After the lights were in, we really didn't have much to put on it except snowflakes in many sizes and ribbon. The ribbon was white and swirly and we really loaded the tree with it. Then I took the really big snowflakes (about 12" diameter) and put them into the tree all around the bottom. The smaller snowflakes were over-all and we found some silver glittered ones to add to it. It turned out pretty. I should learn to carry my camera with me, right? Duh.

Trees rock.