I know many of you are getting a LOT of snow. Here’s hoping you’re all sitting out the storm, maybe listening to some Christmas carols, and decorating for the holidays. Stay safe, my friends.
A little story for you.
I have long been charmed and fascinated by vintage feather trees. I see them everywhere on Instagram – beautifully decorated, simple, magical. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, they first emerged in Germany in the late 19th century because of deforestation. They were artificial, made of goose feathers that were dyed green and then attached to wire branches. They were usually tabletop size but I’ve seen taller versions. They’re still made. Very, very old feather trees go for a high price. I’ve also seen them with white feathers and pink feathers.
Okay. One day, I was scrolling through IG looking at feather trees, and I posted this in my stories:
The photo was from 7sevenlakesdesign and I added the text, which was a reference to my impatience when I want something. (You’re all familiar with that particular trait of mine.)
The next morning I saw that I had received a message from an IG follower who also reads this blog. She said she has several feather trees and has been doing a bit of purging and had one that she was willing to send me. I couldn’t believe it! I immediately said yes and wanted to pay for it, but she didn’t want any money. She was just happy to know it would go to someone who loved it. She sent it via UPS and it arrived yesterday. “She” by the way, is reader Donna Erickson who wanted to share a little joy with me. She is a wonderful person and her kind gesture has touched my heart. By the way, she bought it in the 80s from a man who made feather trees on his farm in Ohio.
I bought some small vintage ornaments this week because I haven’t yet brought out the Christmas bins from the shed. I know I have some more small ornaments there, so the bare spots on the tree will be filled in shortly.
Okay. Here it is:
I love it! We decided to place it on the coffee table and Don insisted on completely clearing off the table. He’s been in a “no more clutter” mood lately. These are the ornaments I purchased at a local antique store, but I definitely need to add more.
Isn’t it lovely? So simple, so striking.
Thank you, thank you, Donna!
Once again, I am humbled by the generosity of others. And I’m very, very grateful.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
When I first saw your Instagram post I had to go down the rabbit hole to read all about these trees. While I’ve seen them before,nI didn’t know the history behind them. I just thought they were minimalist trees. So thank you for sending me down that rabbit hole.
The tree itself is a stunner….what a terrific gift. That tree begs a minimalist setting…the cleared off coffee table is perfect.
We are hunkered down, watching the snow fall, and later some Christmas decorating and football. Enjoy your day…and the view of your feather tree! ;)
Glad you’re safe! There’s nothing better than watching the first snow fall.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
The tree you posted looks like it has dried orange slices on it and they look really good. A nice inexpensive decoration.
An old fashioned decoration.
Stay safe, Terri.
What a nice person Donna is to give this to you. Looks great and you will enjoy it every day!
Yes, we sure will!
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
What a lovely story!
I remember that in my youth Christmas trees were not “pruned” into the conical shapes they now have. They were allowed to just grow their natural shape which left more space between the branches for ornaments to “hang” gracefully. I remember being alarmed when the conical shape took over and my ornaments were “sitting” on the fat tree rather than hanging from a branch. When I grew my own trees I just left them to grow and they were so beautiful! The feather trees are even “sparer” of course, but they have that same graceful feeling to me. I am happy that you now have one and that it came to you in the Best possible way! :):)
It really was the best possible way, Betsy!
Thanks so much.\
Stay safe.
beautiful tree and beautiful heart of donna to share one of her treasured items! the ornaments you added are a perfect fit. glad your wish came true and that you are enjoying it all. :)
thanks for the good wishes. we are hunkered down here and watching the snow fall. it, too, is beautiful. looks like very small flakes (doesn’t seem to be adding up very much), but it’s falling fast and steady. i sure would not want to be on the road in it, worry about holiday travellers and am glad and grateful that my family can all stay home today. don’t like having to miss our nice long walk today, but my back/i cannot risk a fall. maybe tomorrow the path will be clear. going to finish laundry, then knit on a hat, think about what decorations to get ready and what to make for lunch, and maybe (*maybe*) sort some papers.
hope everyone has a cozy, safe weekend.
kathy
Enjoy the snow, Kathy!
Stay safe.
This just made my day! I love the community that you have created and share with us.xo
I do, too! Thank you so much, Annette.
Stay safe.
Oh, my, what a lovely gift given with the heart. Your tree is striking. Your new old ornaments are so charming. Kindness must be Donna’s middle name. I had a similar experience today. My friend and next door neighbour went to a church bazaar this morning and bought some mini chocolate chip cookies and two pieces of luscious dark Christmas cake from the bake sale. What a sweet thing to do. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Isn’t that lovely? Kind gestures make all the difference.
Stay safe, Elaine.
What a sweet story! So cool sitting on the couch on a snowy day with a cup of tea and a good book, enjoying this new treasure.
p.s. The pots along the top of the cabinet next to the door look so pretty.
Thank you so much, Lynda.
Stay safe.
OOOOO. I had to look up feather trees, and then how they are made. It’s fascinating, so fortunate that your desire to have one and your contact’s need to re-home one overlapped so perfectly!
Cheers,
Ceci
How lucky am I?
Thanks Ceci!
Stay safe.
I love that little tree! So sweet of Donna to gift it to you.
I think I may put up my bamboo tree this year after quite a few years of not having the energy to put it up. As we’ve settled into our no-chemo, no-energy phase, I think we could use a little Christmas. After seeing your beautiful little trees, I’m in the mood again.
I think you both deserve a little Christmas, Shanna. Glad to have inspired you.
Stay safe.
That is so lovely! I am happy for you!
Thank you, Lily!
Stay safe.
It’s exquisite. And Donna is an angel.
She is indeed.
Thank you, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
How wonderful to receive the gift of a feather tree! They actually can display a lot of ornaments. I usually drape them with the old mercury glass garlands, but this year I just ran out of energy and kept it a bit more simple. Have fun!
Yes, you can see that there’s room for a lot of ornaments. I’ll use what I have for this Christmas, but I’ll definitely be adding to it next year.
Stay safe, Judy.
What a wonderful gift from Donna. I love how giving so many people are. I know you will treasure this tree for many years. I love the old ornaments. I have some Shiny Brights from my childhood but they are so fragile I don’t usually put them on the tree. Annie the cat doesn’t bother the tree much but it’s also not worth the chance of breaking any. I have displayed them in a large glass jar before and they looked great. Just went down a rabbit hole thinking about my vintage ornaments.
Shiny Brites look great in a glass jar, Linda!
Stay safe.
Oh, how lovely !!! I am like you; totally in love with those antique feather trees and always have been. For years and years both my sister and I decorated primitive style and then like me, my sister and I changed our styles around 2015 or so. Me to a more boho, retro look and my sister to more of a Victorian decor look (which suited her home in Savannah and now in Tenn. But like you, I wouldn’t have passed up a chance for a small feather tree either. Love it on your coffee table. Hope the snow wasn’t too bad !!!
Thanks so much, Dawn! I love it. Since my style is eclectic, it definitely fits in.
Stay safe.