A Christmas Tree Party!

December 14, 2011

There’s something mesmerizing about the glow from a Christmas tree. It calms me, makes me pause and give thanks, and makes me feel all gooey inside. :)

I’m sharing the three trees we have up at our house with you today. Starting with the Bub’s FUN tree. You know…the one with the colored lights. ;)

Of course, it has all the fun stuff on it, like tinsel and garland and fat Santas. We also hang the Hallmark ornaments the Bub picks out every year on this tree:

Anyone else notice the train theme in most of these? The boy is obsessed. ;)

The Bub and I stalk Hallmark starting early October to check out the new ornaments every year. Yes, we are the ones who love seeing Christmas out that early. Sue us.

I still can’t embrace the white LED Christmas lights, but I LOVE the big fat colored lights:

kid tree

I told my hubby next year I’m doing all the exterior lights in color – they are just too fun and the Bub will only be this age for so long.

We used to have a family room tree every year, but because of some changes I’ve made to that space, we haven't had room for one in a while. I missed having all those pretty ornaments up, so last year I picked up a skinny tree at Lowe’s for a killer deal – only $12!

I LOVE love love the ornaments on this tree – they’re mostly silver and white and glass. Lots of shimmer! They are just gorgeous:

The beautiful baby boy pictures sure don’t hurt either. :) My boy has a December birthday and was and continues to be the BEST Christmas gift I’ve ever received.

Because I knew I’d put this tree in my office, I picked up some blue and green ornaments at Walmart on clearance last year. They go perfectly in the new office! (Which I will show you first thing in January…it’s OH so close!):

white blue green silver tree

I adore this skinny tree – it looks SO real.

Finally, we come to the Big Mama. ;)

I think every year of my life I’ve had a real tree at Christmas – we were just a real tree family growing up and I continued that tradition.

But new hardwood floors kind of changed that. ;) I wasn’t set on it till the guys pulled up the carpet in the front room before the install. There was a HUGE water ring on the plywood, and I stood there for about five minutes trying to figure out what in the heck it was from.

It finally hit me – the Christmas tree. Seven holidays in this house, plus cats who wouldn’t leave the water alone, plus a tree that wouldn’t stand up one year equaled lots of water seepage. Although I’m finding the floors hold up great to spills, we just couldn’t chance a real tree.

Soooo…after much research over the past few months, we ended up with a BEAST from Lowe’s. I wanted a ten foot tree, like we got in a live tree. Hubby wanted to go MONSTER size. So we went with the 12-footer from Lowes.

It was SO easy to put together. The lights are already on it (and don’t go out if one dies) so that saved me hours of work.

But the extra couple of feet meant more ornaments, and next year I think we’ll need a new (taller) ladder to safely decorate the whole thing. ;)

This one is mostly decked out in red and gold, with a few of our most meaningful ornaments mixed in:

IMG_9395 IMG_9384 IMG_9385 IMG_9387

About half of the ornaments are from Walmart – I love their selection! There’s a bunch more from Big Lots and the rest we’ve had for years. It seems our tree has gotten bigger every year, so every year after the holidays I get more. (I like our tree dripping with ornaments.) But this is the tallest it gets people. No. more.

Like always, I use a few yards of faux silk as my tree skirt. I just throw it under there and fluff:

DIY tree skirt

It always works great and with a coupon the fabric was WAY cheaper than a real skirt!

Here she is in all her glory – it’s not easy getting a picture of all of her. ;)

I miss a real tree so much (I found something to help with that I hope to show you soon!), but I gotta say, this is SO much less stress!! A tall real tree is SO heavy and was always hard to get just right in the stand, so I was always worried about it falling. (Since the tree debacle a few years ago I started tying it to wall.)

And not having to water (and not worrying about the animals getting in the water) is the GREATEST!!

Of course…I couldn’t have a Christmas tree post without some night shots. My favorite. :)

So here you go…

IMG_9484red and gold christmas tree

See? Magic. ;)

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

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Comments

  1. so random story --- i was looking through old tree photos yesterday and noticed at some point in time I had a tree skirt.... where that went I'll never know! I'm so confused! hahaha =) Love your tree montage! <3 and tips!

    xoxo

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  2. Thank you zoo very much for hosting! Happy Holidays!

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  3. Your trees are GORGEOUS!! I LOVE the night shots!! Something I forgot!! WHOOPS! I did have go with COLOR this year too! I love it and so does our baby girl! Thanks for hosting, Sarah!

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  4. Love the colored tree. Gorsh that shore is purdy! :)

    Magic is right.

    love!

    xo

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  5. Your trees are beautiful! LOVE that big one! Thanks so much for hosting and Merry Christmas! Martina

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  6. Beautiful! Three trees - that's aweome! Love them ALL. And I have a little train obsessed boy myself (note his hat in the tree link up I just posted (#6 "Oh Christmas Tree"). Thanks for hosting!

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  7. Love your trees! Can't believe how tall your tallest one is! I'd need a giant ladder to decorate it!

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  8. Your trees are beautiful, love the train!
    ...and that last magical photo----amazing. Everything looks wonderful!
    Debbie

    Thanks for hosting!

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  9. Oh. My. GOSH... that tree is amazing! I can't get over the height! Pure magic! Your others are gorgeous too but that tall one takes my breath away...

    Thanks for hosting the party!

    Donna

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  10. OK, you made my day! Like you I absolutely love Christmas trees and your's are wonderful. The "monster" is breathtakingly beautiful. Not having room for several large trees is about the only thing I miss about living in a traditional home!
    Thanks for sharing - your photos were great.

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  11. Everyone so unique and beautiful! Sigh....I love your large tree, someday if I have tall ceiling again I'll have one like yours! Fabulous job Sarah! Thank you so much for hosting the party.

    Heather

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  12. All your trees are very pretty, and I love the trains. But I must say your big one is awesome. What a great size for your high ceilings. We had a real tree tip over just after midnight one Christmas Eve. Just as we settled into bed we heard the crash. Long story short, after a few hours of mopping up, drying and rewrapping gifts we switched to a fake on in our living room too.

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  13. Wow, I have never such a huge tree! It is truly spectacular!

    Blessings and best Christmas wishes,
    Natasha.

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  14. Oh, I meant to add thanks for hosting and I'm looking forward to checking out lots of links.

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  15. Those are three beautiful trees Sara, I dont know how people do do more than one tree, I would have to start in July lol. Thanks for hosting, I'm so happy to finally link up again.

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  16. Love your trees, thanks for the great party, just linked up. I'm #56! Merry Christmas!

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  17. WOW! That tall tree is beautiful! Thanks for hosting :)

    MyersMaison.blogspot.com

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  18. They are beautiful Sarah! I love the skinny trees. They look like they would be easier to decorate. Nice night shots! Thanks for hosting.
    Sherry

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  19. Your trees are beautiful! When I was growing up we would often times have 4 trees in our home, so I love having multiple trees. This year, we have 2 for the first time. As a kid, I had a 12 foot tall real tree fall on me as I was peeking at presents. So believe me, I know how heavy they are! Real trees are great, but fake trees have won me over the past few years...especially while having little ones. Thanks for hosting.

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  20. What beautiful trees! Love the way they glow at night! Thanks for hosting!...hugs...Debbie

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  21. Holy smokes, those are some gorgeous trees!
    Thank you so much for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

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  22. Thanks for hosting this! It's so nice to be able to see everyone's tree! I poured myself a glass of wine and then felt like I was on a home tour! Thanks again....

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  23. WOWZER... a whole lot of tree participants. I think I will spare you mine, but have to say that I too love fake trees and the ease of them. PLUS... I always forgot to water the real ones and they would immediately turn into a fire hazard. Love your 12 footer!!

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  24. Wow, your trees are beautiful, and I love that they all have different personalities, kinda' like me on any given day... Anywho, thanks for hosting a great party! I love parties where I can stay in my jammies! :)

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  25. Beautiful trees! Thanks for hosting this wonderful link! It's so much fun to see such amazing ideas! Merry Christmas!

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  26. Thanks for hosting this awesome party!! I adore your trees :)
    Lina @ Fancy Frugal life

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  27. Sarah- your trees are GAWgeous. Seriously. I love how each one is so unique! Thank you THANK YOU for hosting this party. I always look so forward to seeing all of the beautiful trees/decor each year. Merry Christmas to you!

    Mary Kathryn <><

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  28. Beautiful! I love how your pics came out ! The one with the snowflake lights especially is really cool!

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  29. AH-MAY-ZING!!! Love all 3 but your Bubs is so dang cute! I tried white LEDs this year and I am not a fan. They give off more of a bluish glow than a white one. Won't use them again...too bad I now have 12 boxes of them. Grrr...

    Thanks for sharing! Feliz Navidad a ti y a tu familia!

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  30. All your trees are wonderful! LOVE the Big Mama, thanks for hosting such a fun party! I love Christmas, too!
    Lezlee

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  31. Sarah, I diiiiiie over that new tree. It is just stunning. I love the red ball ornaments...I have some of those up too this year. :)

    Thank you so much for hosting! For some reason, I couldn't get the link for this specific post to come up, so I just linked back to the site. When it works again, I'll link back to this post!

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  32. What a GRAND and AMAZING tree!! Thanks for hosting a great holiday party!!

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  33. For some reason blogger is being persnickety and not letting me put your button on my blog, but I do have a link for your site. Hope that's ok! All three of your trees are gorgeous!! I LOVE the 12 foot tree...yowser! It's fantastic!!

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  34. I love your trees!! And that last photo is just stunning!

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  35. Love your big beautiful tree! Gorgeous!
    Thanks so much for hosting!

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  36. Your tree and home is just gorgeous Sarah!! What a fun party. Thanks for hosting. I am so excited to see all of the beautiful trees!!

    Merry Christmas my friend!

    xoxox
    Jen

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  37. A beautiful post! Thanks for hosting a Christmas tree party! I'm happy to be joining you this week.
    ~ Julie

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  38. Your giant tree is INcredible!! I absolutely adore it. Growing up we always had a 12 foot real tree, and I LOVED IT!! I remember my dad actually leaning the ladder against the tree for me to climb up and attached the star. (Of course, ours was always tied to the way too!)

    Great job!! I hope you can sit on your couch at night and enjoy the magic!

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  39. What an amazing tree! The whole family gathered around the laptop to ooo and ahhh at the mega tree! I love your snowflake bokeh trick too at the end! Thanks for hosting!

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  40. Your trees are bee-u-ti-ful! Thanks for hosting, Sarah!

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  41. Your tree is gorgeous! It looks amazing! Thanks for hosting!

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  42. Wow - there is some serious tree action goin' on up in here! Yours are great and I look forward to checking out some more! Woot woot for Christmas!!!

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  43. I linked up my tree! Thanks for hosting!
    :) crafty texas girls

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  44. Oh my goodness! I'm drooling over your big tree! What a statement it makes! So festive. Thanks for hosting.

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  45. WOW!! Just stunning!! As always, you have made everything beautiful :) How in the world do you get your night photos so clear and beautiful? My night time photos of my tree are either with the flash and yuck or they look like they are from the 60's with a yellowish tent :( Anyway, thanks for hosting!!!

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  46. OMG that's HUGE! I always wanted a real tree, never had one. But thanks for the heads up on the troubles, my husband especially thanks you :)

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  47. I used to have that same trumpet ornament...and probably a good portion of the other musical ones on your tree! ha! Easy gift for music teachers, right?! :) The trees are lovely!!!

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  48. I used to have that same trumpet ornament...and probably a good portion of the other musical ones on your tree! ha! Easy gift for music teachers, right?! :) The trees are lovely!!!

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  49. Linked up my baby tree. Wasn't sure how to get the html for the button though?

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  50. Wow! That is a big tree. I wish I had half the patience you have! I love the big colored lighted tree. And the night shots are always best I could sit in front of our tree for days on end. Thanks for gathering us all together!

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  51. What beautiful trees you have. I love the massively tall one especially!

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  52. So many beautiful trees. This is going to take me more than one cup of chocolate!
    Thank you for the party, Sarah, it is one of the constants in this crazy time.
    Merry Christmas to you!

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  53. Thanks so much for hosting. What a lovely selection of Christmas trees this year.

    Happy holiday hugs,
    Marie

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  54. Very nice trees! Oh and our son would LOVE your tree with all the trains...he is totally obsessed too!
    Merry Christmas!
    Shannon

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  55. Just reading about your three gorgeous and meaningful trees makes me look forward to next Christmas (I do this all year, even during the current season). Because of a tragedy this season, one tree was all I could muster. I love looking at everyone's trees. Merry Christmas to All!

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  56. I especially love your Fun tree, just because it's happy and full of celebration! I also love that all three trees are different shapes and sizes! All three are beautiful!
    Thanks for hosting!

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  57. As for your tallest tree I have one word: JEALOUS!!!
    If I had a tree that big and beautiful I would NEVER leave that room.

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  58. All your trees are gorgeous but the office tree stole my heart! I used some of those same ornaments from Walmart clearance last year in different ways, and I loved getting new ideas from your pictures. Fantastic, beautiful stuff. Thank you for hosting this party!

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  59. They're all so pretty! I've never had a real tree! I keep saying I'm going to get one but I'm worried about my floors too.

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  60. Thanks for hosting! So many beautiful trees! Merry Christmas and best wishes for a fabulous 2012!

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  61. OMGoodness, ALL of your trees are gorgeous!!! We also finally got a 10 foot, prelit, "slim" tree and I LOVE it! Thanks for hostuing this great party! Have a beautiful, blessed Christmas! XO, Pinky

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  62. Okay super embarassing- we bought our tree two weeks ago at home depot (ummm under $35 which is considered a xmas miracle where I am from NYC) and WE STILL have not decorated- you inspired me to get off my tush and start decorating tonight!!

    dede
    http://www.vintageandflea.com/

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  63. Thanks for hosting. I love your trees. It's fun to see everyone's style.

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  64. Your monster tree looks great! My husband tried to talk me into a 12 ft. tree since we have such high ceilings. I probably should have gone with it, but I always get so frustrated even with the 9 ft. tree and it's pre-lit, too. Your home looks wonderful. Merry Christmas!

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  65. I love, love, love, love your monster tree!!! Soooooo beautiful.

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  66. Just lovely. My daughter was my best Christmas present, too. She was born a little late though on Dec. 30.

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  67. Thanks for hosting -- I am two days late, almost the 500th person to link. Probably no one will ever see this but I was determined to party with you!

    Your cocktail from the preceding post looks divine and I made a note of it because I think people should always get their anti-oxidents with the booze.

    Merry Christmas!

    P.S. I love the trains -- I didn't get mine out this year.

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  68. Your trees look lovely and festive!! Plus there are so many here to enjoy! SOme faves have been the bucket & front porch trees, the black trees, and even the fun rainbow tree! That would be a HIT in south Florida no doubt! But we're not there anymore - packed up and moved at the beginning of November - and now here we are In Arizona for December! Thanks for finding the time in between your decorating to host!

    Merry Christmas!
    xo Lynda

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  69. Linking better late than never! :) Please check out my "fancy" tree with a little bit of leopard print this year. (#508) Thanks for hosting!

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  70. Love your trees! They're all so beautiful! I just got back from a little trip and I'm the last to link up. Better late than never right?! :)

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  71. Thanks for hosting! So many beautiful trees here.

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  72. So late to the tree party..um, it was a busy time of year, ok? Something has to go...

    Anyway, your new tree is quite lovely. Soo tall! Looks great in that space. We made the switch from real to pre-lit a few years ago, and ahhhhh. Yes, you miss the magic of selecting a real one, and the fragrance, but I DO NOT miss trying to get tree in & out of house with minimal mess, the work of getting tree trunk to go into the stand correctly, (& the challenge of my dh doing that without..mmm..shall we say "losing his Christmas spirit".) getting upset about needles falling, worrying about the carpet..ug. Those things were not an equal tradeoff for the ambiance a real tree could provide.

    3 nice trees at your house!
    Chrissy

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  73. I love you glass ornaments! They are unique, artistically made, and beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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