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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:
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  5. Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas 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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  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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  19. Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Gift Card Giveaway - Unskinny Boppy says:
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May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
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Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

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