We have two Christmas trees this year! Truth be told, I almost always have more than one tree at Christmastime. What can I say really? I LOVE CHRISTMAS! This Christmas is extra special for us because it’s our first Christmas here in our fifth house! I hope it’s the first of many, many more to come!
We usually get a real-deal-smells-so-good tree for our “family” tree, but this year our six year old boy told us that he thought chopping down a tree for a holiday was mean! I was like – WHAT?! Even Buddy the ELF chopped down a tree to celebrate Christmas! SO, we decided to honor our son’s wishes and just use a fake-wish-it-was-real tree. Good thing we already had one (that I bought at Big Lots for $10 a few years ago). It’s a tiny one. The box says 6 ft; but I’m 5’3″ and I’m just as tall as the tree. Maybe this is why it was at Big Lots? I do have to say that skipping over the “getting a real tree” tradition was kind of nice. Using a fake one is just so easy and a lot less messy. So here’s the family room tree!
It’s such a cute little tree, and it’s so shiny and bright! We used the big clear retro looking lights instead of twinkle lights this year. The tree skirt matches our stockings (Pottery Barn). I ordered them all in 2006, the year our family was officially complete with the addition of our sweet daughter. I hope plan to use this skirt and the stockings FOREVER! I hope that one day when the kids are grown that seeing these same stockings hung on our mantel and this tree skirt on our tree will bring back warm Christmas memories for them.
I’ve been collecting ornaments for years now so we have lots and lots! With this tree being so tiny, we had to be kind of choosy this year. We used lots of red and silver ornaments. I also hung some twine balls with ornament hooks to add a little natural feel. To get in my need for fresh greenery, I stuffed in a few magnolia leaves from our tree in the front yard like I did on our mantel and Christmas vignette. Here’s a closer look at a few of our favorite ornaments that made the cut this year.
This is an ornament that was given to us as a wedding present. I hang it on our tree every year!
You know what this is……..don’t you?!
Yes, it lights up and talks! I LOVE IT! It just makes me smile 🙂
The silver initial ornaments were an after Christmas purchase from Restoration Hardware a few years ago.
This one is my favorite! It’s from a Disneyland trip we took a few years ago. For those that don’t know, I grew up about 20 minutes away from the Happiest Place on Earth. I love this sweet silhouette of both of our kids so much, and I smile every time I see it. It brings back so many fun childhood memories for me 🙂
Our second tree is in the entry foyer. You remember our tree of thanks? Well, I just took all the fall decor off of that tree and added some beautiful red and gold Christmas decor. Here she is!
I used a scrap piece of gold lame for a tree skirt. It’s obviously very shiny and bright 🙂 It was a lot cheaper than buying one and a lot less time consuming than making one! I wanted this skinny tree to look really full so I wrapped it with a little gold and silver tinsel garland. Then I added in some willow branches and some red amaryllis flowers. They really give this cheapo Big Lots tree a little holiday glamour 🙂 Here’s a closer look.
This pineapple ornament is a vacation souvenier from Charleston, SC that I picked up years ago. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality so it seems fitting to display this ornament on our tree in the entry foyer to welcome our guests.
This was a simple tale of two trees that are equally special and sweet (not to mention cheap and tiny). With the ginormous vaulted ceilings that we now have I’m seeing an after Christmas purchase of a couple 9 footers in our future 🙂 However, I’m still kind of hoping that next year we’ll go back to getting a real one!
For now, Merry Christmas from our fifth house to yours!
We’ve obviously made a few changes since the last time you saw the family room; we’ll talk about all of that later (sooner but later).
My daughter was begging to use my camera. I’m thinking photography may be in her future 🙂 Not too bad for a 4 yr. old! I’d say if she can make her old momma look good then she must have some serious talent!
I know I’m the last one to the Thrifty Decor Chick’s Christmas Tree Party, but I’m linking up anyway 🙂 Go check out all of the BEE-U-tiful trees over there! Be sure to grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate first though because there’s so much to see!
I’m also linking up over at Katie Bower’s Tree Party. I’m not as late to her party- thank goodness! There’s so many beautiful trees in blogland I could sit by the fire and enjoy looking at every. single. one.
both of your trees are lovely! and your house is so beautiful .. and super festive for the holidays!
thanks for sharing!!
Your trees are beautiful!!! I bought a 6ft tree this year and I like the size, not too big not too small 🙂 Your home is gorgeous, as are you! What a great picture! I love how your rearranged the furniture, it looks so cozy! Have a wonderful day!
Love the room and had to mention that your DD took a beautiful photo of you! (Im also totally digging that big glass bottle in the pic behind you…is that from Willow House?)
Thank so much! That big glass bottle is from HomeGoods, otherwise known as "one of the usual suspects" around here 🙂 Willow House sells some that are similar but they're in light green and aqua blue. They're gorgeous but not the right colors for this room.
xo- Carmel
oh my word, I love those chairs…can't wait to keep reading!
both of your trees are lovely! and your house is so beautiful .. and super festive for the holidays!
thanks for sharing!!