Bright Memories Around The Christmas Tree
Carl Larsson painting of Child and Christmas tree in SwedenA big part of the Christmas celebration is choosing the Christmas tree. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree and placing it right smack in the middle of the living room is a cherished memory. While some of us put them in the dining room, the bedroom, the entry…. you get the picture. However you decide to keep Christmas, if you love Christmas trees, here is the place for more decorating ideas.
There are 3 choices to begin with:
- Living Christmas trees,
- Cut Live Trees,
- and Artificial trees.
Decorating the Christmas tree is an art for many, and you can learn easy tips from experts on creating a beautiful display.
There are so many exciting themes to choose from, in colors, ornaments, and styles. Seaside? Burgundy and Gold? Teddy Bears? See what I mean? Go with your heart on this… hey! that could be your chosen theme, too.
This post is dedicated to everyone, who like me, has heartwarming memories of the Christmas tree and wants to create those for their family and friends.
Carl Larsson Christmas TreeCONTENTS AT A GLANCE
- So Many Choices, I Need More Than One Ch…
- Tree Reservoir
- Which Christmas Tree?
- Christmas Tree Topics
- Christmas tree accessories
- Designing Ideas for Trees
- Tree Angel
- Christmas Tree Skirt
- Christmas Insider Tips
So Many Choices, I Need More Than One Christmas Tree
Christmas ornamentIf you have more than one room, you can have more than one tree. Just think small.
Tabletop trees and little decorative trees from Craft Supply Stores are a way to add festivity to small spaces.
Let’s first choose the type of tree to decorate.
What Type of Holiday Tree For You?
“Living” trees are those you will plant in the ground after they have served as an indoor decoration for a short period.
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The Top Live Christmas Tree Choices
- Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
- Canaan Fir, (Abies balsamea)
- Scots Pine, (Pinus sylvestris)
- Douglas Fir,(Pseudotsuga menziesii)
- Alberta Spruce, (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) Sold as a dwarf tree
- Blue Spruce (Picea Glauca)
Artificial Tree Choices
Artificial trees are man-made trees that either look lifelike, or are obviously fake. The best quality green or frosted ones can look very close to living trees, while there are tinsel and white metallic looking trees that are obviously a fake.
Here is a selection of highly recommended ones from Amazon.
Cut Trees
Cut trees were once living trees that have been cut to bring outdoor evergreens inside. They must be given water to delay the drying out of their needles and branches.
Popular Cut Tree Choices
- Fraser Fir
- Noble Fir
- Colorado Blue Spruce
- Concolor Fir
- Eastern White Pine
- Douglas Fir
- Scotch Pine
- Leyland Cypress
- Arizona Cypress
A variation of purchasing cut trees is to visit a Christmas tree farm, or similar source, and cut your own (for a fee). Our family did that for several years, and it can be a fun experience!
I recommend it if you don’t mind a little work and a little cold.
The last two examples are available more in the Southern United States. I haven’t seen them in the North.
Tree Reservoir
Optimal for your cut Christmas tree
If you opt for a cut tree be sure to have a generously sized water reservoir to keep the tree branches as fresh as possible. Consider adding tree preservative, also.
Good Tidings
7C148E Stand Express Tree with Ratcheting Fastener System, for Trees Up To 10 Feet Tall
A water reservoir is really important for a cut tree. The larger ones that hold more water are better.
Better, because a new tree drinks a lot, fast at first. It is inconvenient to have to check and add water more than once a day. Nothing is worse than an evergreen that prematurely dries!
Not only is it ugly and shedding when prematurely drying out, but it is a fire hazard.
Your Christmas Tree Choices
tell your side of the story
In the comments, let me know what your opinion is on this topic.
- Which Type of Christmas Tree do you favor?
Add a Comment!
The Artificial Christmas Tree
Artificial trees come in lit and unlit styles. They can be surprisingly natural looking.
GE Decorators Best 6.5 Just Cut Black Hills Fir Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree Multi Colored Lights
Christmas Tree Topics
How-to and Tips
- 5 Choices for Living Christmas Trees
- You have to plan a little early for success with living Christmas trees. Dig your planting hole before the ground freezes and be sure to keep your soil in unheated storage. Decide which tree you wish to put into your landscape plan this year.
- Alberta Spruce
- Alberta spruce, Picea glauca ‘Conica’ is a favored dwarf evergreen for Christmas -learn how to keep yours growing well. Usually sold as miniature living Christmas trees, sometimes decorated. This is a hardy outdoor tree.
- Loving Christmas: Decorating Your Tree
- Tips for your cut, live, and artificial trees. Decorating tips, too.
Christmas tree accessories
When I had small children, I guy-wired the tree to the curtain rod at the window.
I have found that adding tree preservative makes a real difference in the freshness of the needles. For the past two years I bought a bottle for the season at Home Depot, but you can get it online or at most stores. One year, the stores did run out, but I decorate early now.
Some years I need to cut off awkward branches, but I use them to make evergreen decor for outside.
I had to have a half whiskey barrel when I chose living Christmas trees, instead of cut (to hold the rootball). A large galvanized tub would also work well. Since few people take the trouble that living trees entail, there is usually no need for this. However! Since moving South I did have living holly bushes as porch decor and used large cachepot plant containers for those. Remember to water them somewhat before planting.
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For a Bedroom, Or In A Small Apartment
A Tabletop Tree
This little tree is no longer available, but listed below is a lovely choice that comes with a burlap bag base. It has the clear lights rather than multicolor.National Tree Company 3 ft Pre-Lit Nordic Spruce Mini Artificial Christmas Tree, Burlap Base, Red Bow, 50 Clear LED Lights, 363 Tips, Timer, Green
Buy Now
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Popular Christmas Tree Theme Choices
- Gingerbread and Gingham
- Sugar Plums and Pink Fairy
- Green and Gold Woodland
- Seashore/Beach Theme
- Ice Cream and Candy Pastels
- Natural Homespun Theme
- Sweet Peppermint
- Silver and Peacock
- The “Man” Hobby tree
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tree Decorating ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Popular Decor Color Choices 2011
- All White
- Red and White
- Bronze, Beige, Brown
- Candy Pink,Caribbean Blue,Citrus Yellow
- Gold and White
- Turquoise Blue and Sand Beige
cozy cottage themeFor a Seashore Themed Tree
Beachcombers Blown Glass White Pelican on Piling Christmas Ornament 5.5 Inch
Gingerbread Decor Theme
Tree Angel
Because of their connection with the Nativity story, angels are often depicted in decorations. As ornaments on a tree, or as a tree topper, they range from the beautiful and sublime to the cute and kitschy.
I have an acrylic angel that perches at the top my own tree. Here is a Victorian style that is doll-like. In my childhood, my mother had a beautiful paper and spun glass angel for the top of the tree. I wish I had that now, but it disappeared quite a long time ago. It looked almost exactly like this one:
Victorian style tree topperWhich topper would you choose?
Kurt Adler 16-Inch UL 10 Light Ivory and Gold Angel Treetop
For many, a tree is just not complete without the angel on top. This is prettiest angel tree topper with a traditional look, just right for any theme, but especially a white, white and gold, red and white or Victorian themed tree.
Christmas Tree Skirt
Finishes the decorating in fine fashion
Skirt with Gold Embroidered Holly Leaf for a Rustic Decor
Every tree should have a beautiful skirt. If you are ready to trade in the old sheet for a beautifully detailed tree skirt, make this the one.
Christmas Insider Tips
Increase the Cheer, Decrease the “Oh, dear”
Christmas Memory Ornaments
Zazzle Gifts
Depending on the color of your tree, you might consider what color to choose for your Zazzle ornaments. Additionally, I like high contrast decorations, especially if they aren’t the kind to catch the light with glitter or glass. However, if you have a natural green tree keep the printed picture light colored. If you have an artificial white tree, deep green, black or red backgrounds will stand out.
Zazzle ornaments are ideal to commemorate someone special, a hobby, or an event. So many styles are now available, even metal tones like silver. Shapes? You’ve got it- hearts, stars, ovals…. and more can be personalized for any memory or for a special someone.
Retro Christmas
Bring Back Your Favorite Era
Christmas Tree Links on the Web
Find Your Tree
- Potted & planted Christmas trees
- The Original Living Christmas Tree Company delivers full size potted Christmas trees and plants them in watersheds to grow old. If you buy and plant trees, we offer the Christmas trees for sale.
- Top choices for Living Christmas Trees
- Which Christmas trees to choose and how to care for them, both inside and out in your yard. Potted and planted trees that grow well in Ohio.
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Don’t you love Christmas trees?!
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Christmas Tree Decorating Pages
So much more!
- Loving Christmas – Wrap Lights the Right Way
- Store you lights properly, save yourself headaches and decorating time.
- Loving Christmas:Decorating Your Tree
- Decorating the Tree -tips and tricks
- Loving Christmas: Christmas Themes
- Decorating Themes
There are so many possible themes. It helps to decide your general style … - Christmas in Ohio, family traditions
- Our Family Christmas Traditions in Ohio
- Quilled Snowflake Ornament online instructions
- Tutorial on making a gorgeous Quilled ornament
Christmas Open House Guestbook
Christmas Visitors, Please Comment
Christmas parties! I don’t have space here for that topic, but let me know if you would be interested in ideas and inspirations for that. Zazzle has SO many fabulous invitations and supplies for a truly unique party tailored to your desires.
More For Christmas
Celebrating In Style
If you like the “grannycore” decorating idea, you will love my older page. If you click on the linked snowflake graphics, they will take you to instructions on how you, too can make paper snowflakes. Budget decorating that is pretty and fun at the same time.
Don’t miss the ones within the “Little Ideas”section.