Christmas Decor: Tree

Ever since I was a little girl, I've LOVED decorating the christmas tree.  It was always one of those events that really inaugurated the holiday season for me.  And I still feel that way today.  There is just something magical about filling your home with a seasonal smell, crisp white lights and all of your favorite keepsake ornaments.  I don't know about you, but it just makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. 

And this year was no different.  We moved at the end of December last year and really didn't have a chance to decorate or celebrate in our old place.  There was actually more taking down than putting up the whole month, so it felt like we didn't even celebrate at all.  To fill the void, I even drove up to decorate at my parents house.  I had to.  It felt like I was having withdrawals....

But enough about last year.  This year makes up for all of it since we are in the new house and in a new town....it is all really exciting!!  We had our annual christmas party (well annual except for 2009) this past Saturday and what would a christmas party be without a tree.  So, I went out last week (I think it was Wednesday...whichever was the COLDEST day of the year!!!!) and scoured a few different local nurseries for the "perfect" tree.  And when I say a few, I mean 5.....crazy, I know.  There were hundreds of beautiful trees; balsams, spruces and firs...you name it.  But I needed to find the "one"!

So after turning down an ALMOST perfect one at the fourth nursery, I decided to try one more place.  And I'm so glad I did.  The sales guy was super nice and patient (although he was probably both ONLY because he works on commission), but nevertheless he spent a good 30 minutes going back and forth between three trees until we finally narrowed it down.  Bless his heart.  He kept picking them up and spinning them around....all with a smile on his face.  I'm pretty sure there is a special place reserved for him in heaven.  If it had been B with me, he probably would have told me to just walk around the tree a few times....

I waited a few days after bringing her home to decorate....

My theme this year, if you can even call it a theme, was burlap and white.  I was going for a rustic, natural, almost ethereal look.  I used burlap as a tree skirt (no sewing necessary), some old ornaments that I already had (white balls, icicles, snowflakes and others we have collected over the years)....and a few new ones too!  In the old house, we had mostly warm colors on the walls, so I used a lot of gold, maroon and white in my christmas decor.  With the new color scheme, I thought that white, silver and crystal would be more appropriate.  Luckily, my tastes have changed so much over the years that I have a slew of ornaments to suit most of my decorating whims.  And it's fun to change it up every year or so....it keep things interesting. 

What is your tree theme this year?? 

I will be back tomorrow with my mantle and other christmas decorating.  For now, I'm linking up to these parties....go check them out!!!

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