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.
.png)
.JPG)
.jpg)
