xmas in july :: tree decorations

Today I want to share the rest of the creative idea and detail pictures I took from last years Ronald McDonald House Trees of Hope event.

A cupcake inspired tree... If I had a bakery/store front, this would definitely be how I would display items for purchase! Sprinkles, liners, etc.

Here are a couple of tree topper options I thought were pretty cute...

In addition to a chef's hat, I might have to add the wooden spoons to my kitchen tree this year.

I like this flag idea if you have a region specific tree or as a way to share your heritage around the holidays.

Not that I was crazy about the "Cars" umbrella, but I think the idea of using an umbrella as a topper could be very theme-fitting on some trees. What about a Spring/Easter tree!?

Feathers will never get old as tree toppers. This was a very naturalistic tree and the pheasant feathers fit beautifully.

Now for some overall themed trees... So whimsical

Giddy Up! A cowboy tree complete with a hat and red bandana.

Definitely the most unusual at the event had to be this tree. A true forward thinking fashion tree.  Pretty creative wouldn't you say!? They pushed and pulled branches until it resembled a body shape. Then proceeded to dress and accessorize her to the max. 

I enjoyed the bounty and detail of this school themed tree. Kids would LOVE to help with the whole process. Designing, buying, making the pieces (ruler star topper, paper chain garland, etc.) and of course decorating the entire tree. This would be a great way to support a school or church program for charity.

Woodland creature trees have become very popular in recent years due to Pottery Barn, Pier 1, Restoration Hardware, etc. selling rustic animal ornaments. I thought the fence detail on this woodland tree was adorable. The fake snow definitely adds a nice little touch too. 

And finally, a unique way to add detail to christmas tree lights. Do you have a beach themed tree? A beach house? This is for you! 

Enclose each individual bulb with seashells. Watch with wonder as this craft takes you back to the tranquility of the beach where you picked up the shells. Even if it is in the dead of winter!

xmas in july :: red, white and blue tree

Every year, I attend a holiday fundraiser called Trees of Hope put on by the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut. My attendance is two fold - 1) I will support anything with the children in need being the beneficiaries and 2) a selfish curiosity to see new creative decorating ideas for Christmas trees. I will share some fun trees I spotted at last year's event in the coming days, but today it's all about the

 red, white and blue! 

Check out this Patriotic Tree...  Like using a black tree for both Halloween and Christmas, you could use a white tree for both Christmas and the 4th of July. More bang for your buck - I'm all about that!

There are also a couple of specific details I want to call your attention to. I love the flag bunting used as the tree skirt. (Promise me you won't put an American flag on the floor. Okay? Okay.) I also love the clumping of the ornaments. It reiterates the red, white and blue of this tree specifically, but image it on another tree with it's own special color scheme. I'm making a mental note of this decorating technique for my clients' trees as well as my own tree this coming season.

Happy Birthday, America! 

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday!

pipe cleaner christmas tree

We had a fun (impromptu) dinner with friends tonight after attending the annual tree lighting on the New Haven Green.  While walking from the festivities to the restaurant, we stumbled upon this!!!

A beautiful Christmas tree in one of my favorite restaurants (Bentara).  Doesn't it look so cool!?  Not only do they have great food, but now they ace Christmas tree decor too!?  I love how different it is - both in style and in colors.

Okay, now are you ready for this... guess what all the little colorful bursts are made out of?  Wait for it!  Wait for it!  Would you believe PIPE CLEANERS!!!!   What a great idea, huh!?  And so cheap!  Talk about getting major bang for your buck!

They achieved the overall look by making little bundles of about 40 pipe cleaners into bouquet type shapes - using yet another pipe cleaner to hold each bundle together.  Within each bundle, the pipe cleaners were shaped like a "burst".  They made several hundred bundles (a couple hundred for this 7' tree is my guess) and then tucked each bundle into the tree branches.  And viola!  One amazing tree - what a conversation starter!  I just think this is so creative and original!

xmas in july :: display of trees

Last Christmas season I was invited to an annual fundraising event for The Connecticut Ronald McDonald House called "Trees of Hope". The event includes hundreds of theme decorated trees. Attendees "voted" for their favorites by putting donations in that tree's bucket. Not only did I vote for several, but I also took pictures of my favorites. I am always trying to stock pile good decorating ideas for my clients. I have one client who asked me to decorate his whole house for Christmas last year - it was no small job as it involved hundreds of wreaths, miles of garland, staircases galore and 5 huge trees. I'll show you those pictures soon. Anyway, back to the fundraiser trees. Check these out. I noted my favorite ideas from each.

This tree was a Paris inspired tree. I love the Eiffel Tower topper and the working toy train that went around and around. Other details included jewelry and anything fashion related.



Next up, a tree decorated with all things golf related. I especially loved the tufts of grass at the base and the gopher club cover they put on top. So Caddy Shack! I know the picture is blurry, but it's the only one I had of the topper and I really wanted you guys to see it.



I just loved this next tree! Not that I'm an avid Red Sox fan, but you could do this with any favorite team. As you can see from the sign, they named this tree "Even Santa Prefers the Red Sox". Love that! Being in Connecticut, we are caught right in the middle of a legendary rivalry - Yankees vs. Red Sox. I will have some friends mad at me for even sharing this Red Sox beauty with you, yet other friends will be upset I haven't given my complete support to the Red Sox tree. Let's just call me Switzerland - neutral territory! Some of my favorite elements are the baseball cards, the mini batting helmets and the "believe" signs. Anyone that follows baseball knows that is a word synonymous with Red Sox nation. I also love that they picked a white tree (which are huge right now) to add to the color scheme. The ornaments really stand out off the white. And in an effort to be equal, white would be great for a Yankees tree too!



There are a couple things from this next tree that I really like. First of all, the colors are just scrumptious! So different from other ordinary Christmas colors and I love it! I also can't get enough of the paper doll garland. Wouldn't this be great for say an elementary school tree!? One doll per student... Any teachers out there?



One prevalent trend was using branches in the topper displays. I do the same in a lot of my tree designs. It adds visual height to the tree and gives a touch of nature. Here are a few examples I saw. This first one sprayed the branches white and I just love it! I also love the glittered hydrangeas tucked in there - so classy!




This tree was donated by a dentist's office - can you tell!? Decorated with all sorts of candy, but also with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and Listerine. Very cute!


Can't forget the pets! A local animal shelter donated this tree. Don't you just love the dog bones tied on!? Very cute and creative. I think it would be perfect in a veterinarian office.


And finally, another trend I saw repeated several times was using a boas like garland in and around the tree. It really adds texture and glamour. One tree was from a cosmetics company. See how they tied on different make-up samples. And the other little tree was "pretty in pink".




Hope you find something inspiring to add to your tree this year!