Our Own Little Forest

It's Three or More Tuesday with our hostess Tam @ The Gypsy Corner as well as Deck the Halls @ Thoughts From Over the Rainbow. So today I'm sharing the Christmas trees around our home. For years my husband and I bought a fresh tree at one of the local Christmas tree lots. It was the typical ritual of pulling various trees out of the stack, holding it up to check the symentry, fullness, height, etc. Once selected there was usually a bit of drama associated with getting it in the trunk of the car and securing it within since the size of the tree no longer allowed the trunk to close. When we returned home my husband would saw the end, secure it into the tree stand, and bring it into our home to a spot where we had invariably moved something out to make room for a tree. Well, about ten years ago, we finally joined the ranks of those with artificial trees. My husband, now with sap free hands, appreciates the change!

A Trio of Alpine Woodland Trees

(Click to Enlarge Photo)

Actually, I never thought about how much easier it would be to decorate an artificial tree as well as being much more economical. At the time ten years ago, fresh trees were becoming more and more pricy. It was also a hassell to move the furniture in order to make room for a full size tree. By chance one day, I spotted a set of three Alpine woodland trees. They were graduated in size 3', 4', and 5'. I figured they would fit perfectly on the seat of the bay window of our living room. I purchased them, set them up in the bay window, and now they are known as "our little forest of trees".

Slender 9' Tree in Dining Room

(Click to Enlarge Photo)

Since that purchase, Christmas decorating at our home has become hassel free. We simply pull the trees out of the attic, set them up, decorate them, and presto. . . the tree, or rather trees are done! In fact it so easy that a few years ago we also began putting up a small table top tree on the sun porch, and this year added a large slim tree to our dining room. The dining room tree holds an assortment of shiny glass ornaments made in Europe for American companies. Our little forest of trees in the bay window has company, and we now have more branches on which to hang our favorite ornaments.

Small Tabletop Tree with Roosters and Hearts

(Click to Enlarge Photo)

The small tabletop tree on the sun porch is the "Rooster Tree". One day I realized that I had quite a few rooster ornaments and decided to use them on a tree of their own. At first I just used a simple metal tree, but a couple of years ago I began using a little larger tree to accomodate the roosters as well as some of my "folkart" pieces. This year a thoughtful friend gave us this Santa riding on a rooster. All the pieces on this sculpture are vintage. It is made by Gloria Becker.

Gloria Becker Soft Sculpture Santa with Vintage Toys

Riding Wooden Rooster

Katherine Collection Lion, MacKenzie-Childs Glass Drop, John Toole Egg

Most of the ornaments on our trees are those that have been gathered through the years. Many are gifts from former students, friends, or family. Some are handstitched needlepoint ornaments that I've made through the years. It's an electic assortment, but all hold special memories!

Following are some ornaments from our trees . . .

Jay Strongwater Baby Elephant

Ceramic Cow Made by a Friend

Handstitched Needlepoint Ragady Ann Ornament

Handpainted Tin Rooster Ornament

Old World Santa, Katherine Collection Lion, MacKenzie-Childs Fondant

Handstitched Wool Snowman, Williamsburg Artist

MacKenzie-Childs Truffle

Handpainted Ceramic Rooster

Golden Wishbone Ornament Made by My Mother-In-Law

German Handpainted Handblown Glass Heart From My Mother

Miniature Soft Sculpture Rabbit (1 " Tall)

MacKenzie-Childs Glass Star

Ceramic Rooster

Ribbed Glass Heart with Glitter

Handstitched Needlepoint Humpty Dumpty

Silvestri Boy

John Toole Glass Pear

Jay Strongwater Rooster

Frosty the Snowman

Brass Tree

Glass Rooster

Old World Glass Heart

Katherine Collection Rooster

MacKenzie-Childs Bon Bon

Katherine Collection Monkey

Patriotic Tin Rooster

Patience Brewster Rooster

Old World Santa

Three French Hens Box

Glass Rooster

Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave a comment below before joining Tam @ The Gypsy Corner for Three or More Tuesday and Thoughts From Over the Rainbow for Deck the Halls.