Because I’m tucked into my chair covered by a throw – and I’m feeling lazy – today’s photos are taken from my sitting position. “Corners of the den that I can see from my chair.”
To my left, pointing up.
To my right. (You’ve seen this view before.)
Well, it’s Friday. Things are heating up in the House. Emails, files…I sense the beginning of the end. That’s all I’ll say for now because I’ve learned that predicting the timing of anything that has to do with that piece of ___ is impossible. But you’d better believe I’m reading those emails.
I did end up ordering a jigsaw puzzle and it arrived yesterday. I haven’t unboxed it yet, but it’s another by Lawrence King – The Romantics. I’m really looking forward to hauling out the big wooden board (stored upstairs) and opening that box.
Let’s talk Christmas Trees. If you celebrate, when do you usually put yours up? Is it real or artificial? Is it tall or tabletop? White or Green (or any other color)?
My answers. We have opted for a real tree again and we always get ours from our local nursery. And we always choose a Noble Fir because we (well really, I) like the strength of the branches. I also put up at least one tabletop tree in white. One Christmas we only used a large white tabletop tree and passed on a real tree. But that was because Don was going to be working in California on Christmas, so simpler seemed better. We visit our local nursery during the first week of December and that’s when we get the tree. We keep it up as long as possible, sometimes into the second week of January.
That little white tree that sat on the table next to my chair last year is going to be the first decoration. Maybe the weekend of my birthday?
I would love a vintage feather tree to keep up all year round. I’d decorate it with seasonal ornaments.
Let me know your traditions, my friends.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Good morning! I always put my tree (artificial white 5 1/2 ft ) on a low table in corner of my living room the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Most Black Fridays since 2007 I have had to work (I work in a Mall business office) and I used to take down my fall / thanksgiving decor on Black Friday, clean and vacumn and then start all over again on Saturday with my decor for living room (retro theme, santas & reindeers and cuteness) and dining room & kitchen (gingerbread theme). Now I start the breakdown of autumn decor when I get home on Black Friday evening, packing it all up till about 11 PM and then have to clean Sat. morning, lol. It’s OK – it only takes me 2-3 hours to do everything up so I do it Sat. afternoon, sleep in Sunday and tree goes up after lunch Sunday, lol. I used to put ALOT more decor up but I downsized 5 years ago and it only takes me no more than 1 1/2 hrs to wrap up and pack up autumn decor now. Used to take me three full days to decorate for Christmas as I even did bathrooms, upstairs hallway / landing and downstairs landing and change to holiday bedding. WAY too much – I turned 68 this year and in 2020 I decided it was TIME to downsize ! What I have left now is what I truly love. Anyways, have a great weekend !!!! My best to you and Don. Dawn P.
You made a wise choice, I think. Now, you decorate with the things you really love.
Thanks so much for sharing, Dawn.
Stay safe.
I am also reading all those emails! We usually put our tree up right after Thanksgiving and we have an artificial tree. We love real trees but my allergies flare up even with trying to add a real wreath inside. I love the smell of a live tree but our artificial tree is lovely and we’re happy with it. We ordered a new green tree from Balsam Hill last year. The old one was starting to shed a little too much. Our family gathers here on Christmas Eve. They all come early and stay late and we have a wonderful day. On Christmas day, we recuperate.
Enjoy your puzzle! As soon as I finish cleaning (I do my “spring” cleaning in the fall) in the music room, we will set up a puzzle in there. Take care.
Lorinda
I know of several people who have allergic reactions to real trees. Christmas Eve was always the big day in my dad’s family, like it is in yours.
Thanks so much for sharing, Lorinda.
Stay safe.
Good Morning Claudia!
Christmas trees are my joy! When I was growing up the family tradition was it never went up until Christmas Eve and stayed up until Epiphany. We made our own ornaments too from felt and glitter and paper. But as a young mother alone at home with children and darkness, I abandoned that restriction. I realized I needed the cheer of the lights and decorations as soon as possible once the time change had come. But I always waited til December anyway. At some point I planted young trees in my back yard and they grew and matured and then we suddenly had our own Christmas trees and plenty of them! I sold a few but started to put up two every year… one in the main living area and one in my studio, one with colored lights (which I adore) and one with white lights which are also just magical. We did real candles (very carefully!) for many years and sang carols around the tree. I draw an annual Christmas Card every year (43 years and counting!) which features scenes from the past year amid festive motifs. Once I had “down-sized” to my present home and the boys had “left home” I still kept the two trees, one white and one colored, one upstairs in the studio, one downstairs in the public rooms. It’s a tight squeeze to fit them in… but so far I am sticking with that tradition! I have admired your white tree so often that it has tempted me … but I don’t have room. Needless to say, the doll houses get trees too… the magic of tiny lit trees never gets old for me! Sorry this is so long… but you asked! :) Thank you!
My dad’s mom was German and their tradition was to put up the tree on Christmas Eve.
Traditions are so important. They provide structure and comfort.
I have put up a small tree upstairs in the studio in the past. Just depends on the year.
And my dollhouses all have trees!
Thanks so much for sharing, Betsy.
Stay safe.
I used to always have a real tree (ALWAYS Noble Firđź’š). But allergies put an end to that several years ago, so I went with an artificial tree. Since moving into an apartment, 13± years ago, I switched to a three foot artificial tree. It’s been plenty big enough for displaying all my favorite ornaments. I’ve always had a green tree … though, when growing up, my parents always preferred a flocked tree. My dad was a logger and always brought home a beautiful Noble Fir from “work”! Normally I put all my Christmas decor up the day after Thanksgiving … but the past few years I’ve needed help (from my physical limitations), and a few times it’s gone up a tiny bit earlier. But once Christmas is over I’ve always been one who wants my house back to normal ASAP. Have a wonderful day, Claudia.
So interesting that your dad was a logger, Debbie!
I like our main tree – and often our only tree – to be green, too.
Thanks so much for sharing, Debbie.
Stay safe.
I have an artificial tree. It’s 6 feet, 6 inches tall and slim. Dark Green and does look realistic. It isn’t made of tinsel but a sturdy, brushlike material with several dozen pieces that have to be specifically placed. It’s a bit of a chore to put up!
I always get it on the second Sunday in December and it stays there until Twelfth Night (5th January) otherwise it’s supposed to be bad luck to have decorations still out after this date
and traditionally you’re supposed to leave them out for the whole year if this should happen!
Happy Friday
I’ve never heard that one before! Depending on the freshness of our tree, it is often up through Ephiphany.
Thanks so much for sharing, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
Hope you get hours of enjoyment from the new puzzle.
As a youngster, my parents bought a Noble Fir every year. That was my Dad’s favorite. He’d spend a couple of hours “rebalancing” the branches. Being a woodworker (hobby) and exacting engineer (profession), he liked cutting a branch or two off, drill one or two holes into the trunk, and reinsert the branches to balance the tree. As the kids moved out of the house, the trees got shorter and shorter, until they no longer bought a tree. Instead, they decorated their ficus with fairy lights and small ornaments.
I suppose any large plant can function as a Christmas tree, Wendy. Just needs some lights!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Stay safe.
love all that art … “God bless our home”, flowers, that scalloped frame and the book holder …!
glad you’ve been able to keep your tree tradition! seems especially important (to me anyway) at Christmas. poignant.
here’s my answers:
growing up = live-cut trees, usually picked at a lot overseen by the boy scouts. decorated as a family and followed by drives to see neighborhoods known to put lights on many houses.
in apartments = live-cut or artificial trees were not allowed. blessed to get the ceramic tree with plastic “bulbs” and hidden lightbulb, made by my maternal grandmother. enjoy(ed) that very much, along with an artificial table-top tree and annual live-cut cut wreath (gifts from my parents).
my parents and brother switched to artificial trees when we were all moving around more and would likely not be there to water a live-cut tree during the holidays.
this year = there are two artificial trees in the basement. they might stay there this year (judging by how i feel right now), but we’ll likely put up the smaller one and the ceramic tree.
our family has always put up the Christmas tree a few days after thanksgiving and live-cut trees were down around january 02, if they weren’t too dry before then.
holiday music and most movies are tough for me (grief and depression, plus i don’tlike cryingin stores … they’re already playing Christmas music here). the one exception is “it’s a wonderful life” … because no matter how sad i am, it is and i have a wonderful life. :)
hope you have an easy day and stay safe.
kathy
I lived in so many apartments over the years and because I usually went home for a portion of the holidays, I didn’t have a tree. It wasn’t until I moved to San Diego, that I purchased a small artificial tree. But when Don and I moved in together, we immediately went back to our roots and purchased a real tree. Now, we have a combination; real/artificial.
Grief is hard to navigate any time, but especially during the holidays. Do what works for you this year.
Thanks for sharing, Kathy.
Stay safe.
We always get a large real tree. I love Christmas ornaments and I have a lot. We have so many tree farms around here you would think the prices would be low but that’s not the case. We treat ourselves. We also have an artificial tree that is all in red. It’s so gaudy that it makes me laugh. We won it at a community event.
Love the red tree! Prices are high, here, as well. Someone gave us a long explanation re the high prices, but I confess I can’t remember it now.
Your parents always had a big and tall tree and it was truly magical!
Thanks for sharing, Eileen.
Stay safe.
I/we usually start decorating the day after Thanksgiving. Outside, that involves garland and lights around our front porch railing, assorted lights on our evergreens, and swags from all outdoor lights. Then we start on the inside…batteries for my numerous flameless candles, the dining table centerpiece (faux greens, pinecones, and candles). More twinkling lights, and a few old fashioned Santa’s are scattered about throughout our house, along with a few indoor wreaths., and garland. The faux tree goes up about a week later, it’s a slim tree with small white lights, and I often leave it undecorated for several days…just lit. We have LR/DR L-shaped configuration, and the tree sits between the two. Our ornaments are assorted baubles from years past going back to the 60’s, some that my boys made, and a few new ones if I’m so inclined. Beaded ornaments are my latest additions. And bows…our tree must have bows, along with a quilted tree skirt that was made by my Aunt. Since, I’ve never found a tree topper that I truly loved, two large bows are put on top. The tree usually stays up until anywhere between Dec 30- Jan 6. It all depends on our moods. Sorry if I got long winded there, lol.
I, too, feel that the tide is changing, and my hope is continuing to build. But I don’t want to get my expectations too high if you know what I mean.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I do know what you mean.
You clearly have a decorating ‘plan’ and it sounds lovely, Donnamae.
I’ll put up our outdoor lights right around Thanksgiving as well. That’s always my first bit of Christmas decorating.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Stay safe.
Love your plans for your Christmas tree. We get our real tree close to Christmas so we can enjoy it well into the new year. We water it constantly and the needles don’t drop very much at all. Enjoy your new jigsaw puzzle. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Elaine
We water our tree daily. That’s a must!
Thanks so much for sharing, Elaine.
Stay safe.
We have a full size artificial tree. It goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving and stays until New Years Day. I take the tree and any other decorations down on NY eve. I think I got the idea from Meredith to start the new year fresh. I hope she is doing well.
Take care
She loves to do that. She doesn’t want to have to deal with putting everything away after New Year’s. I, on the other hand, extend Christmas into the New Year.
Thanks for sharing, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Check out the blog, The Glam Pad. Today, she featured the Petite Mason Dollhouse Gala. You may find the dollhouses delightful.
I will. Thank you!
Stay safe.
When my kids lived at home we always got a too-big real tree that usually reached the ceiling, and often had to be trimmed to fit the star. The kids still come home for Christmas, but now we get a smaller real tree (usually 5-6 ft). It’s much easier to handle, takes up less room, and it’s much easier to put on the lights, which is my job. We’ve been getting Fraser Firs for a long time now because they don’t drop many needles. As we get older we may switch to a small table top tree, but not a fake one. We have vowed to never buy a fake tree.
I think Don feels the same way as you, Terri.
I must admit, I would miss having a real tree. So I’m happy we didn’t buy an artificial one this year.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Stay safe.
We have an artificial tree due to allergies. Last year we got a tall, thin, green one. I like it since we live in a small house. I decorate that one with ornaments that my now adult kids and other ornaments form our life together. I also have a table top silver tree that I decorate with my grandmother’s and mom’s shiny brite ornaments.
I always put them up the week before Christmas because we enjoy looking at them during dreary, cold January!
We do, too, but we love to put the tree up in early December. Last year’s tree lasted a long time – maybe into the second week of January…
Thanks so much for sharing, Betsy.
Stay safe.
We opted for a real tree for the first 43 years of our marriage. My husband swore putting it up. I swore putting the lights on it, and we both swore right into July when we were still finding pine needles. Last year we got a decent looking green artificial tree and it works for us. Six feet tall and it holds the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of ornaments that have special meaning to us.
Sounds lovely, Brenda!
We really don’t have room to store an artificial tree – no garage, no usual basement – so I think we’ll stay with real for as long as we can.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Stay safe.
Have to, have to have a real tree! Our local nursery hangs the trees indoors so you can see all around them, which I like a lot. They have gotten a touch smaller (5-6 ft) as it has to fit in the car. Also my husband and I have to manhandle it up the stairs from the garage and then up (split level) to the living room corner. We buy it the day after Thanksgiving and keep it up as long as we can, but usually down by the 2nd week of December. I buy a new ornament every year and this year purchased one while in Ireland. I’m very fond of my ornaments. I knew I would marry Keith when he told me he liked them too. He also never argues about buying a real tree.
In our Chorus we are rehearsing for our Christmas concert so I am starting to get “in the mood”. Also it’s about 10 degrees here and we’ve just had our first snow. But have to get through Turkey day first!
Becky
PS. I love the girls. And their wardrobes!
Yes, my husband echoes you. Have to have a real tree. Truth be told, I feel the same way. We have lots of ornaments and they’re stored in special bins. I have some ornaments from my childhood that are very special.
Thanks so much for sharing, Becky. Love you!
Stay safe.
Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love decorating for it. But I try not to jump Thanksgiving. This year it’s late, so something might sneak in. But I’m bringing things up from the basement and storing them in the guest room now so I can power-start the day after (or maybe even TG day if it’s just Rick and me, which is looking more likely.) The wreath will probably go on the front door next week.
I put up a lot of trees. Tall, skinny ones in corners, a big one that is like my “autobiography on a tree,” a couple that go on tabletops, one in the bathroom, one in the two bedrooms. OK. I’m a maniac about it. It usually takes a few days to get it the way I want it. I miss a real tree but I love to leave it up till Twelfth Night (but let’s be real — we’re really talking the end of January for SOME of it! Taking down takes a lot of time!) I started with artificial due to work schedule. Rick would get a real tree for his place (till Covid when so many real-tree lots closed), so I got my evergreen fix there. After, the trees became so expensive, I passed on a tree or two to him and that’s what he does now.
As for color, most are green but I have one flocked tree that is white (and a two-foot tabletop tree that I made at a Southern Exposure workshop years ago that is flocked too.)
Like I said, I’m kind of a nut about Christmas.
Nothing wrong with being a nut about Christmas! I say: Have at it! Your house must be absolutely lovely.
Thanks so much for sharing, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
We have a tall thin tree and just use the white lights for decoration. Artificial of course. We had to give up the real tree years ago. Last year I decorated it with all 1950’s Jewel Brites and any thing that was unbreakable due to the kitties. It was very nice, but I like the simple white lights for this year. I also have a white and a green feather tree, maybe 18 inches high. I use them on top of the china closet. The trees are not antique, but they are beautifully hand made with duck feathers. The antique trees are so expensive, I have never found a reasonably priced one, but I still look. I’ve collected vintage Christmas for 30 years! When it comes to Christmas I am not a minimalist!
I’m jealous that you have a feather tree, Judy!
I have a lot of vintage Christmas, as well. I’m going to look for more vintage Shiny Brites this week. (I broke 3 of them last year.)
You know, every year, we add the lights to tree and leave it that way for a couple of days because it looks so beautiful in its simplicity. I understand.
Thanks so much for sharing, Judy.
Stay safe.