Has anyone else looked at photos of beautiful Christmas trees in magazines or on Pinterest and wondered..
“Where on earth are all of the ‘real’ ornaments?”
You know the ones I’m talking about, right?
The paper angels, the picture frames made out of popsicle sticks and the cotton ball snowmen?
I always wonder if they are frantically removed before the photo is taken or if they are hanging on the branches of the Christmas tree that gets relegated to the deep recesses of the house like the basement or the playroom.
And honestly, there isn’t anything wrong with that. I mean, I have my ‘mommy tree‘ which features only pretty ornaments and is mostly decorated just by me. If the kids want to help decorate it, I let them but then after they’re in bed I go and rearrange all of the ornaments. š
But, the thing is, those precious homemade treasures are kinda sorta my most favorite of all the ornaments.
So that is why, in our house, they have their very own Christmas tree to hang on.
We call it our ‘Family Tree’…pun intended!
And this year I was so excited to have the opportunity to select a tree from Balsam Hill that would be perfect for this little corner of our family room.
The Slim Red SpruceĀ Ā fit the bill perfectly!
Putting it in a giant basket not only adds a lot of charm and texture, it also keeps the floor space open since this is definitely a high-traffic area in our home.
And can I just say that while I love everything about this tree, I think my most favorite part is this button light switch which I can turn off and on with the tap of my foot!
Adding some frosty branches and mercury glass jars helped add some sparkle to the tree and I truly believe the more ‘fancy’ ornaments and the homemade ones can peacefully co-exist and create a wonderful layered effect.
My photo box tree topperĀ completes this family tree.
Last night we sat in this room with some dear friends as all of our kiddos ran around the house. One of them turned towards the tree and said,
“I just love that your tree looks pretty but you still have all of your kids’ handmade ornaments hanging on it!”
And I thought to myself, “mission accomplished!” š
I’m so thrilled to be joining Balsam Hill for their 12 Bloggers of Christmas series and you can find me today on their blog sharing more about my Christmas decorating ideas, inspiration and some personal stories about how to add more meaning to your home this season.
Next up is Jennifer Rizzo’s gorgeous Pom Pom Christmas treeĀ so be sure to stop by and check it out in all of it’s fabulousness!
And be sure to head over to Jennifer Rizzo Design Company to enter the HUGE GIVEAWAY with over $2,000 in prizes from Balsam Hill!!
As always, thank you so much for joining me here today at the Fence,
P.S. Between now and Dec. 22, get $25 any purchase of $200 at Balsam Hill or more with coupon code Ā 12BVANESSA25
Your family tree is gorgeous and I love the photo box topper! I’m pinning! Happy Holidays!
Leslie
This year I really wanted a Balsam Hill Tree…but hubby said since we are moving, we should wait until next year because it would just be one more thing to move! I get it…but I sure love the look of the Balsam Hill trees! Yours is lovely…and I loved your post today! A family tree is fun! But now that I am 64 I like the tree to be the way I like it! All of the 11 grandkids have their own trees at home…so grandma can enjoy hers and have it just the way she wants it now! Tee hee!
Merry Christmas!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
I love your tree. I have vintage ornaments from when I was a child, and all of our grown children’s “home made” ornaments that are now, also, 40 some years old on our tree. Old glass and “art masterpieces”. That’s a wonderful combination for a meaningful Christmas tree in my opinion.
I wish I had room for several trees. I have 43 year old ornaments that I hate to get out because they are getting so fragile, but I could use a small tree for them. I have collections of Hallmark ornaments that could go on another tree. I have this year’s ornaments that I am making per your blogs and Pinterest ideas that will make another tree…
A Beautiful family tree!!!
Oh I love this! My tree is the same way. I call it my tree if memories. I have so many ornaments that my kids made in school, ones my Grandmother made and tons I made myself. Every year I create an ornament to give to my kids that reflect what they happen to be into that year. I have ornaments that feature Dr. Who, Sponge Bob, Baby’s first Christmas, etc. I also have ones with little handprints, baby photos, and mementos of trips to Disney World. The trees in magazines are beautifully put together but they have no meaning other than looks. I look at my tree and see a lifetime of Christmas memories.
Did the basket come with the base inside? Any stands I have tried with galvanized tubs or baskets are always too large in circumference to fit.
Hi Teresa! So, I didn’t put the tree in the stand that came with it but instead left it like a ‘pole’. I placed that inside a smaller pot and then put that pot in the basket. Does that make sense? LOL!
This is perfect — the topper is amazing! What a statement piece this is. I only have one tree and it’s a “Family” Tree. Each year I THINK about creating a “dream” tree but I just so enjoy the ornaments from over 30 years of memories and all of the kids’ homemade ones, the ones with their pictures, etc. I actually was thinking that I should “catalog” them all. Especially ones that were given by neighbors, people from church, etc. that no one but me will remember years from now (and maybe not even ME!).
It’s gorgeous, Vanessa. I love a mommy tree and a kid tree. It’s the smart thing š Love your tree topper.
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you Jamie!
Yes, your explanation makes sense! I will have to try it. So pretty. Thank you!
Vanessa,
The campaign of the 12 bloggers of Christmas, because of someone like you, is a real privilege and consistently fills my mind with thankfulness to have such inspiration at my fingertips. Because of people like you, adding Mercury glass ornaments with twig picks and then elevating your homemade ornaments to a royaly level. Thank you for taking the red spruce slim tree from Balsam hill and stepping out and elevating the ornaments we all value and won’t get rid of and yet showcase them in an efficient and attractive way. The basket was so cool. The slim tree spreads Christmas cheer and hints at memories not often shared or thought of because those ornaments are often left in a box. So thankful for your creativity. The topper was such a shout out to your kids too. Love this idea!
Your tree and ornaments are just beautiful! Love the basket. Merry Christmas to the Picket Fence Family!
I mix my pretty Radko ornaments with my handmade ones made by family and friends….it makes the tree special…I have a Balsam Hill tree and love it…my hubby also purchased the “tap” extension cords and they are the best!….Gorgeous tree Vanessa!…..love the topper!
Love your tree! And yes all the hand made ornaments are very special at our house – even after 34+ years! I too have a mommy tree of ornaments that I have collected and received as gifts through the years.
I’ve been digging my heels in for the longest time because I didn’t want a FAKE Christmas tree but I’ve seen yours and some other Balsam Hill trees that have been posted by bloggers and they are beautiful. I’m beginning to cave in . . . which will make my husband happy š
LOVING your Christmas tree! I’ve grown up with an artificial tree and living in Florida a fresh tree just isn’t worth it. I think that most artificial trees these days look better than the real ones!
I love your tree! I agree that the memories from those handmade ornaments can be beautifully displayed and happily coexist with other ornaments! Love how you accomplished this and pinning!