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29 May 2022

Entertaining & Holidays

O, Christmas Tree

Christmas ornaments

Trimming the tree is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. Though our tree is smaller than any Tom and I ever had while our kids were still living at home, and we use only about one-third of the ornaments we’ve collected through the years, we still take special care while decorating it. We love to load it with a lot of lights, strings of pearl beading, babies breath, ribbon, and as many bulbs and ornaments as the tree can hold. There’s never a special theme. We use what we have—and we have plenty! Every year our tree looks about the same, but we always think it’s the most-beautiful tree we’ve ever had.

Our tree aglow in the dark.

Aglow in the dark, a tree of ours from a Christmas past had bubble lights—a personal favorite that brings back warm memories of my grandmother and Christmas at her house.

More Beautiful Trees

Bright, vibrant blue complements red ornaments and gives Christmas a fresh feel. (Photo: Houzz)

Bright, vibrant blue complements red ornaments and gives Christmas a fresh feel. (Photo: Houzz)

Feathers, in shades of aqua and lime green, offer a fun and edgy twist to a flocked tree. (Photo: Houzz)

Feathers, in shades of aqua and lime green, offer a fun and edgy twist to a flocked tree. (Photo: Houzz)

For a tropical feel, try decorating with oranges and lemons. (Photo: Houzz)

For a tropical feel, try decorating with oranges and lemons. (Photo: Houzz)

Simply elegant. (Photo: Pottery Barn)

Simply elegant.(Photo: Pottery Barn)

Turn poinsettias into ornaments using floral water tubes. (Photo: Country Living)

Turn poinsettias into ornaments using floral water tubes. (Photo: Country Living)

Colorful and playful with a lively checked skirt. (Photo: Houzz)

Colorful and playful with a lively checked skirt. (Photo: Houzz)

A mini tree in gold and white. (Photo: Country Living)

A mini tree in gold and white. (Photo: Country Living)

Deck the halls . . . and while you're at it, the dining room, too. (Photo: Houzz)

Deck the halls . . . and while you’re at it, the dining room, too. (Photo: Houzz)

Mini tree in the Lee Entrance Hall at Blair House—the president's official guesthouse for foreign heads of state visiting Washington. (Photo: Traditional Home)

Mini tree in the Lee Entrance Hall at Blair House—the president’s official guesthouse for foreign heads of state visiting Washington. (Photo: Traditional Home)

Tall, traditional tree in all its glowing Christmas glory. (Photo: Traditional Home

Tall, traditional tree in all its glowing Christmas glory. (Photo: Traditional Home)

Place a small, live tree in an elegant cachepot on a table in the guest room. (Photo: Nell Hill's Blog)

Place a small, live tree in an elegant cachepot on a table in the guest room. (Photo: Nell Hill’s Blog)

Opt for a larger tree to welcome guests with the Christmas spirit. (Photo: Traditional Home)

. . . or opt for a larger tree to welcome guests with the Christmas spirit. (Photo: Traditional Home)

Traditional, glowing tree with oversized bulbs, vintage tin cones, and antique ornaments. (Photo: Traditional Home)

Traditional, glowing tree with oversized bulbs, vintage tin cones, and antique ornaments. (Photo: Traditional Home)

A stone floor and wicker furniture offer an ideal setting for a casual Christmas tree with paper cutouts. (Photo: Traditional Home)

A stone floor and wicker furniture offer an ideal setting for a casual Christmas tree with paper cutouts. (Photo: Traditional Home)

In the foyer, the dogs have their own tree. The bone as a tree topper is awesome touch. (Photo: Traditional Home)

In the foyer, the dogs have their own tree. The bone as a tree topper is awesome touch. (Photo: Traditional Home)

A delightful country Christmas tree featuring eye-catching ornaments. (Photo: Country Living)

A delightful country Christmas tree featuring eye-catching ornaments—custom tags with written messages and photos— newspaper birds, and a primitive star. Note the galvanized steel tub and packages wrapped in paper and twine. Perfection.(Photo: Country Living)

Snowy white and glowing. Simply beautiful. (Photo: Shades of Blue Interiors)

Snowy white and glowing. Simply beautiful. (Photos: Shades of Blue Interiors)

A small tree on a bed of fern leaves becomes a centerpiece. (Photo: Shades of Blue Interiors)

A simple tree on a bed of fern leaves becomes a centerpiece. (Photos: Shades of Blue Interiors)

Classic red, white, and green with a stocking topper. (Photo: Duke Manor Farm)

Classic red, white, and green with a stocking topper. (Photo: Duke Manor Farm)

Ribbon, berries, bells, lanterns, flags and a fun marquee star anchored with buffalo check for a cozy, country look. (Photo: Just Destiny)

Our small tree with beads, bulbs, bears, babies breath, and ornaments collected through the years.

Our small tree last year with bulbs, bears, babies breath, and ornaments collected through the years was put together at the last minute—just in time for Santa’s visit.

Top banner: Taiga.

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More to explore and enjoy . . .

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  • O, Christmas Tree
  • Decorating for Christmas
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  • 50 Ways to Decorate Pumpkins
  • Throwing a Patriotic Party
  • Christmas Cookie Collection
  • Delightful Desserts for Two
  • Breezy Sea Colors for Your Summer Table
  • Sweet Patriotic Treats
  • Get Lucky on New Year's Eve
  • Sparkling Party Punch
  • Your Beautiful Easter Table
  • Easter Dinner
  • Gracious Hospitality

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Patricia and TomHi there! Tom and I are two empty nesters who decided to downsize and simplify our lives—lose the clutter and drama, travel a little, laugh a lot, sit back, and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. Read more

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