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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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December 2, 2013

Monogram Themed Christmas Tree with Balsam Hill

Sigh…I love monograms. I can never quite put my finger on what it is about them that makes me so happy.

I mean, it’s just a letter, right?

In the song ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ there’s a line that says, “I’d like to add his initial to my monogram”.

And maybe that’s part of what I love about them. They’re so identifying aren’t they?

When I got married, that middle letter of my monogram changed, going from an ‘R’ to an ‘H’.

And suddenly ‘H’ was my new favorite letter.

Christmas entry with Balsam Hill tree atthepicketfence.com

Several years later a new family member joined us and I found myself loving the letter ‘I’ oh so very much….and the little boy it was attached to of course! And a few years after that a little miss ‘L’ came to be part of our family. Simple letters suddenly representing my heart.

Given my love for these letters it only made since that when I was presented with the opportunity to try out a Christmas tree from Balsam Hill that I would take the opportunity to create our own little ‘Family Tree’.

The artificial tree page on the Balsam Hill website, while filled with tons of options, makes choosing the right tree for your home an absolute cinch. I felt a bit like Goldilocks on the hunt for just the right tree to go in my entry. It couldn’t be too big or too small or too wide or too narrow.

mason jar ornament Christmas tree decor from atthepicketfence.com

So when I spied the  Greenwich Estates Pine Tree Set  I knew it was just right. 3 trees with the middle size being the perfect one for me.

There’s just nothing like having a big box delivered to your front door during the holiday season is there?

The trees were impeccably packaged and came with easy instructions for assembling them. It also came with gloves to use while putting your tree together. I figured I could also use them afterwards if I ever joined a hand bell choir! 😉
Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Review

Rather than using the existing stand, I decided to place my tree in a pot and then load it up onto this little wooden sled.

I think it looks like it might have just been pulled in from the forest.

If that forest grew trees covered in white lights and fully decorated.

The branches on this tree are the most realistic artificial branches I’ve ever seen. Every time I bend down to plug it in I expect to catch a whiff of fresh pine scent.

small Christmas tree on sled in entry from atthepicketfence.com

Mason jar lids became the perfect way to celebrate my favorite letters in the alphabet. I simply printed out each letter, used the lid to trace around it, cut it out, placed it inside the rim and then added the lid to the back. I secured it with a dab of hot glue and attached a piece of twine to the back so that it could hang from the tree.

monogram mason jar lid ornament from atthepicketfence.com

I added a paper garland made using music sheet wrapping paper (leftover from last year) and twine.

Simple and lovely and free.

music sheet wrapping paper garland from atthepicketfence.com

I had the kids write words that describe our family on little chalkboard tags before hanging them on the tree.

 This one is definitely true!

chalkboard tag ornaments from atthepicketfence.com

And, of course, the letter that started it all had to hold an honored position at the top of the tree.

monogram tree topper from atthepicketfence.com

Every morning when I come downstairs I walk past this family tree as I head towards the kitchen…and the coffee.

I see those letters representing the names of my most favorite people in all the world.

And how it all began when I added “his initial to my monogram”.

Monogrammed themed Christmas tree from atthepicketfence.com

I’m so excited to be sharing my Monogram Themed Christmas Tree as part of

Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas Series!

12-Bloggers-of-Christmas

Here’s a sneak peek at the tree you’ll see today from Ashley of Cherished Bliss!

Joy Sneak Peek

And here’s the full line-up

Monday December 2nd:

Vanessa (At The Picket Fence)

Ashley (Cherished Bliss)

Tuesday December 3rd:

Beth (Unskinny Boppy)

Candace (Vintage News Junkie)

Wednesday December 4th:

KariAnne (Thistlewood Farms)

Kristin (My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia)

Thursday December 5th:

Kim (Sand and Sisal)

Laura (Finding Home)

Friday December 6th:

Courtney (French Country Cottage)

Jeanne (Jeanne Oliver)

Saturday December 7th:

Jen (Jen Rizzo)

Heather (At The Picket Fence)

Be sure to stop by and visit all of these talented bloggers this week to see their trees!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

*Disclosure: I received product for this review but all opinions are 100% my own*

P.S. Here’s some of the fun we’ll be joining in this week:

Jennifer Rizzo holiday 150 housewalk button

11 Mag Lane Holiday Open House button Final

37 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays, Reviews Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating, Christmas trees

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura @ Finding Home says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:10 AM

    Vanessa – I love it. Just perfect for that spot and I love the pot and sled!!

    Reply
  2. priscilla says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    That is a gorgeous fake tree ! You have decorated it beautifully ! I decorate 13 trees for Christmas I would love for you to visit !

    Reply
  3. Martina says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    Love love love!!

    Reply
  4. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    What a beautiful tree Vanessa!…How creative of you to use the ball jar lids!…and yes, I can imagine how it makes you feel as you come down the stairs to start your day and see that beautiful family tree…

    Reply
  5. Ashley says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    This is beautiful Vanessa! I love those ornaments and I just adore that sled! Beautiful beautiful work : ) Pinning!

    Reply
  6. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    December 2, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    Love it!!! Such a perfect little tree!

    Reply
  7. kristin says

    December 2, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    Oh my goodness Vanessa, the tree is fabulous!I love how it at the front of the house to welcome your guests! Perfection.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  8. Becca says

    December 2, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Oh, I love this tree, Vanessa … from its perfect size and “thoughtful” and creative ornaments … to the meaning behind it! I also love that you placed it in your beautiful foyer so that it’s the first tree guests see when they come on in. Happy Holidays, sweet friend. xoxo

    Reply
  9. Amanda @ Dixie Delights says

    December 2, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    I LOVE it!!!!

    Reply
  10. Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    This is beautiful, Vanessa!! But, not nearly as beautiful as the story of your Monograms! How precious. You are blessed with such a beautiful family and now you have a tree to celebrate it! Way to kick off a fantastic week of magnificent trees!!

    Reply
  11. Alyssa says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    Gorgeous, Vanessa! I’m loving the look of the burlap ribbon. I bet this would also be the perfect size tree for an apartment or smaller living room…now you have me thinking of all the possibilities! :)Thanks again for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Thistle says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Vanessa!

    You are such a rock star! Love the idea of using the lids….and of course anything monogram has my name written on it (literally)! LOL!

    Happy, happy day to you my friend!
    karianne

    Reply
  13. Beth@Unskinny Boppy says

    December 2, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    GORGEOUS! I’ve always been BC but then when I got married I became BCB. I understand the letter love! 🙂 Beautiful photos and tree! Happy Holidays– Very excited to share my Balsam Hill post tomorrow!

    Reply
  14. Kelley @ Miss Information Blog says

    December 3, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    Vanessa, that is adorable and what a great way to celebrate your immediate family! BTW when the Atlanta Bloggers come to visit I am so totally hunting down and stealing that sled!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 3, 2013 at 8:13 PM

      LOL!! Would you believe I found that sled at the thrift store for $5?! Thanks so much for coming by! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Kim says

    December 3, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    Lucky you! I have been using trees and garland from Balsam Hill for years. I don’t use the large tree anymore and got a little one for the sunroom. My other tabletop tree is not from Balsam Hill, but maybe next year. They are so life like and I love how you decorated yours.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 3, 2013 at 8:13 PM

      Thanks so much Kim!! They really do have the most realistic look to them don’t they? And I love having a little one to decorate. Just trying to keep up with you my friend! 😉

      Reply
  16. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    December 4, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    Love the monogramed ornaments and the gold pops are beautiful!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Rustic Glam Christmas Tree Reveal - Cherished Bliss says:
    December 2, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    […] from At the Picket Fence is sharing her Monogram Themed Tree today too, so hop on over there and see her beautiful tree! I simply adore the ornaments she made! […]

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  2. Oh Christmas Tree! How Lovely are Thy Branches - Unskinny Boppy says:
    December 3, 2013 at 1:34 AM

    […] like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.   This year I decided that I wanted something new, so when the awesome ladies from At the Picket Fence asked if I would be interested in joining up with Balsam Hill for their 12 Days of Bloggers tour, I […]

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  5. Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas says:
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  6. Coastal Christmas Tree says:
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  11. Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Giveaway says:
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  12. 12 Creative Christmas Tree Ideas & $1800 Balsam Hill Giveaway! - At The Picket Fence says:
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  13. Balsam Hill Giveaway - 12 Gift Cards - Cherished Bliss says:
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  14. 12 Creative Christmas Tree Ideas (and a Giveaway) - Thistlewood Farm says:
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  15. 12 Bloggers of Christmas: Dagmar Obert on How to Decorate a Christmas Tree | Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Trees Blog says:
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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
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“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
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And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
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Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
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What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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