✦ I want a fun tree
This year my husband and I are hosting Christmas with my family at our house in California, instead of flying to Seattle like we do almost every year. Growing up, my mom always did Christmas really well. We were blessed with tons of presents under the tree, and my parents were known for their extravagant parties.
As a kid, one thing I didn’t love was my mom’s commitment to having a perfectly aesthetic Christmas tree. We had the “mom tree” upstairs, completely off-limits, and the “kid tree” downstairs that my sister and I would intentionally make very ugly in protest of not being allowed to touch the real one.
So this year, now that I finally get to design the Christmas tree and host, I’m very committed to our tree being fun.
Now that I am older the designer in me can appreciate the perfect, color-coordinated tree, but in a similar spirit of rebellion, I wanted something with more personality. We picked a quirky, natural-looking tree and covered it in all our favorite ornaments -some sentimental, many just funny little animals- plus tinsel and lights. I thought I’d share a few trees that inspired ours and some ornaments I’m planning to DIY.
We are still missing a tree topper. What do you guys think would look good on top? Thinking maybe a DIY angel or simple star.
✦ Christmas Tree Inspiration
When it comes to a tree, I like them with a little more open space between the branches. That’s just a personal preference, but I think it adds some whimsy to the classic fuller, more traditional tree. It makes everything feel a bit more handmade, a bit more storybook.
✦ DIY Ornaments
Felt Ornaments
I made felt ornaments with my friends last year and they turned out so cute. I love when people add beading or a tiny embroidered moment, the little details go a long way. Craft wise they’re really forgiving and hard to mess up.
Wire Ornaments
This year I want to play with wire ornaments and maybe even some wire garlands. Add a few beads and they look really delicate and sculptural.
Natural Ornaments
I love using what’s already around us during the holidays. I dug through some of my favorite old craft books and magazines and found a few ideas I want to try.
I love the idea of taking collected shells and hot gluing some beads to create beachy ornaments!
Clay Ornaments
We made air-dry clay ornaments a few years back. I found that flat shapes worked best for drying evenly. Once they’re cured, you can paint whatever design or palette you want. Highly recommend for a group craft night.
Paper Angels
They’re just so charming and seem incredibly easy to make. I added a few templates below if you want to try cutting and folding your own.
I think it’s really easy to get stressed during the holidays. There’s so much to do, people to see, dynamics to navigate. Family history, grief, the reminder that everything is always changing and everyone is getting older. A mental checklist of things I meant to finish before the year ends. Presents to buy, food to cook, traditions to uphold.
It’s easy to forget that this is supposed to a time of joy.
For myself, I’m trying not to take any of it too seriously. The pressure is self-inflicted anyway. When I think about what actually brings me joy, it isn’t the perfect tablescape or tree. It’s my family. My friends. Celebrating our time together. It’s getting outside and remembering the world is so much bigger than my to-do list.
So, a reminder to make room for the parts that actually matter.
Go do something fun!!! Let yourself enjoy it.
