Well, I’m certainly not one to miss out on a stream of parties, so I felt the need to participate with Sarah’s Christmas tree tour. Consider yourself forewarned, however. There are lots of pictures!
Anyone who’s taken a picture of your Christmas tree understands just what a pain in the mistletoe it really is. I probably tried 4,263 settings on my camera to get it acceptable. Nothing’s as good as seeing it in person, is it?
The thing about living in Michigan is that once Christmas ends, it simply signals the beginning of a long, cold winter ahead. Because of that, I like my tree to be warm and cozy—the opposite of the weather I’m walking in from! (Notice the snow in the background.)
As for how to make it cozy, it means warm colors, natural tones, and some obvious texture. My ornaments are a mishmash of glitz and and simplicity. I blend glittered berry garland with cut up strips of burlap, and I like a sparkly ornament next to a wood cut-out.
I bought the red and green ones from various stores, but I picked up a ton of unfinished craft ornaments last year. Since the most expensive one ran me about $ .50, I was more than happy to use plenty of them. They are my favorite ornaments on the tree!
I guess this isn’t too bad of a reward to receive after a white-knuckled drive home from work! Of course, some hot cocoa and an 8-year old who won’t stop practicing for her Christmas concert always helps, too!
Kat says
I love your tree! It looks beautiful!!!
Andrea at Opulent Cottage says
Gorgeous tree! I know what you mean about photographing them, it's not easy. Your photos look great though!
Happy Holidays,
Andrea
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Chris, love your colors, it's all beautiful. And that snow! Wow, I can't imagine.
Come see my little tree too, OK?!
alittlefrenchloven says
Beautiful, you did a great job decorating. I love your red ornaments, just made it pop. =)
Beth@The Stories of A2Z says
Pain in the mistletoe to photograph indeed, but you pulled it off! Gorgeous! And the presents look gorgeous too. You need to repost your packaging post. You're the master!
Lani @ Diapers and Divas says
I love it! I'm so using the lime green next year…I'm just dying over it! And I totally feel you on the camera sitch…It just never looks exactly right! But yours looks great!!
Traci@ Beneath My Heart says
Chris!
Your house is so clean? Do you really have kids? Please tell me you slaved all day to clean it up and take pictures, k? I love your tree too. It definitely is warm and cozy. But presents already wrapped? Seriously? Are you wonderwoman? Mine won't get wrapped til the last minute, I'm sure.
Besides being pea-green with envy…I really do think your tree is gorgeous!
Shaunna says
Beautiful…can't wait to get mine set up now. I want to curl up on your couch with some coffee and a book. 🙂 shaunna
Rachelle says
*Golf clap*
Love it, Chris. Gorgeous as always.
xo
Simply Stated ~ Rebecca says
Beautiful! Have a wonderful week ~ Rebecca
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Beautiful!!! Love your color scheme!! Just too pretty!!! And I cannot believe that you have wrapped presents! Just a girl? How about Wonder Girl!!
junkgarden says
I LOVE it! Just beautiful and your photos are lovely. Great job!
Angie
Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top says
Your tree is beautiful! Just the right mix of everything. The presents look really pretty too. 🙂
Susan says
Yay for mixing!! I also use rustic ornaments (red tin stars) w/ glittery, shiny (gold sparkly balls).
Gorgeous tree!!
Amy says
Your tree (and living room) are beautiful! I hope to get our Christmas tree up this weekend.
Giggles says
Vibrant and classy! Love the ambience! There is nothing like seeing it in person!
Lil' Woman says
I love your tree…it def. look comfy and cozy, I can take a nap in your tree…lol
House Revivals says
Your tree looks magical — very sweet and warm and welcoming!
Irene says
Picture perfect!
We keep our tree up between our kids' birthdays, that's about a month and h half, which is a lovely cure for winter blues.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Linda@ Lime in the Coconut says
Beautiful! Warm and cozy it is!
Battfam says
I love the way you decorated the tree. I like the mix of ornaments and textures.
Debra from Bungalow says
Beautiful tree. I love the red!
And your pics probably don't look half as good as it really looks. 🙂
Jenglamgirl says
What a gorgeous tree and mantel. Love the natural elements you tied in with glitter and twinkles. The whole room looks fab. Jen
Richella says
Oh, how beautiful. It's just lovely. And this is one of the times of year I really miss Michigan. I loved the snow in December. Of course, come March, I was not so fond of it, but in December. . .? It's magical!
LOVE the last photo of your warm and inviting room!
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
Beautiful tree!!! Beautiful room really! 🙂
Skooks says
Another Michigander here. I know how you feel! It's borderline ridiculous how long winter lasts around here. LOVE the tree. 🙂
Shannon says
Your tree looks great! I love it! I really love the burlap and I too love the natural mixed with sparkle. 🙂
Tiffany says
I remember when you made that wreath over the mantle and it's been on my list ever since. Did you use boas for it? And any chance you remember about how many of them it took?
Belinda says
How beautiful!
Gloria Fox says
Gorgeous!!!
kimert says
I'm with you! It is SO hard to get the perfect picture of a lit Christmas tree. I love your pics though. They turned out great and your tree is gorgeous! I also LOVE the beautiful, simplicity of your mantel!
pollydove says
Your tree is beautiful! I guess you figured out the right camera setting because it really does look great in your photos … but you are right, there's nothing like seeing the tree in person! A photo usually doesn't do it justice.
Brook says
Beautiful!! Love the color scheme. I can't believe the snow! Eek! My kids would love it but Brrr…
Natalie@Endless Crafting says
Gorgeous tree!
Country Dreaming says
Looks very cozy and festive.
Melinda
Anonymous says
Yes, it IS a pain to take a picture of the tree and all the lights; I've had trouble before. Going to try it again tonight. I'm trying both night time and day time photos. Daytime photos are HARD, since the tree is in front of a window, and there is glare.ugh!
your tree is so pretty!
twolittletots says
Beautiful tree! And I agree…taking a great picture of a tree is hard work.
But, your gifts look so pretty under there…can you do a post about them? I love the wrapping paper!
Elaine A. says
Your tree is gorgeous, as is your mantle! Merry Christmas!!
Chrystie says
Beautiful!! Love it!
The House of Healy says
Um, okay, *gorgeous*!!! What a great tree. I love how the LR is decorated too! I love tons of photos, because it helps you see the whole thing!!
Madigan at madiganmade says
I love the reds and greens. A classic look, and a gorgeous tree!
Lettered Cottage says
WOW! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your tree!!!
From the decorations, to the shape of the tree, to the way the branches look- it's ALL BEAUTIFUL! 🙂
Layla
And I LOVE your wrapping paper choices too! 🙂
Relevant Notes Blog says
That's so pretty!
Robin says
My 2 and half year old would have way too much fun with your tree! It is soooo beautiful!!! Maybe in a couple of years I can make a tree that wonderful!
P.S. Love your living room!! Gorgeous!
Michael - Innkeeper says
oh my! love the tree! love the mantel! love the room!
beautiful…. and those little houses on the tree. soo cute!
Lisa says
your tree is one of the prettiest of seen, and there are some beauties out here in blogland right now! I love the burlap ribbon and the color scheme, and the fact that your presents under the tree are in red and green too! lovely!
Barb says
Great tree pictures Chris! Absolutely love it. You have gifts wrapped too, WOW.. I'm impressed. I agree with every persons who made a comment. I love the natural, simple, glittery, burlap, red and lime of ALL OF IT!!!! Good Job Sweetheart. I'm still trying to get cards out.
Mom
Handbags*N*Pigtails says
This is beautiful! Im ready to come over, sit by the fire and open my presents.:)
Jennifer Rizzo says
I adore your little aqua tree! I bought a pink one for my girls room. So adorable! I love your other decorations too!
Jill Flory says
🙂 Christmas is about the only thing I like about winter. Your tree is lovely! And I’m so excited because I finally got your posts to show up in my inbox! I had subscribed by email quite some time ago and it never worked. So I tried again through your RSS feed button and picked the email option and it worked! YAY!
Jamie says
I love your blog! We have lived in our house 3 years and still don’t have it completely decorated! Two main things I wanna makeover are my children’s rooms. In the summer months my two year old decided it was “cool” to wake up at 5:00 in the morning because it was “light” out. My husband put up this huge/dark/ugly blanket over his window to keep the light out, it worked, but it is an eye sore!!!!!
Do you know of a website or store where I can find some cute black-out curtains that aren’t such an eye sore???
Please e~mail if you have any ideas!!!!
Bev says
Your tree is absolutely gorgeous! I *thought* I really didn’t want to bother putting up a tree this year, but you’re post is tugging at my heart! 😉