Rockin' around the Christmas Tree(s)

"Rocking around the Christmas Tree
at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Ev'ry couple tries to stop

Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Let the Christmas Spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
and we'll do some caroling"

You know the rest!  This is my daughter's favorite non-religious Christmas song and it's one of my favorites too.  Today I am going to share the trees inside my house, all done up for the holidays.  I may throw in some other decor as well. 

This is our second Christmas in this house so I think I have a hang of it now.  When we left NJ we said goodbye to our artificial tree of 23 years (I don't even want to think of the dust on that thing!) so we got a small real tree last year and put it in the great room.  It looked so awkward to me.  It was way too small for a large room with 10 ft. ceilings.  I vowed this year would be different.  Old Time Pottery had a sale  right before Thanksgiving on their trees so I convinced my husband to get a 9Ft. slim tree ($149) to put in the dining room.  When I mentioned it was pre-lit he was sold.  On top of that it was only in 3 pieces.  Our old tree was in about 40! I also pointed out to him that it would last for years.  Last year, after Christmas, I bought ornaments in brown, rust, gold and silver.  I also picked up some silk flowers.  This year I found some really nice ornaments at Dollar Tree.  I have a mixture of some  nice more pricey ornaments, mixed with bargains.  The tree fits perfectly in the corner of the dining room and I have a clear view from my desk in my office.  An added bonus is that you can see it through the front window too! 

Here are some cost cutting tips that will make your tree unique.  I happen to like the look of a bow on top of a formal tree.  I had this bow made years ago and then I added the brown bow last year.  Craft stores make them if you aren't a bow maker (like me) and if you stuff them with paper to keep their shape when you store them, you can use them for years.  It's fun to start with a basic bow and add different things to it to change it up. Next year I'm thinking "feathers".   For those of you who still have children at home and those who will be having them visit, your kids don't like change.  They want everything to be the same every year (at least mine are like that) so don't expect alot of oohs and ahhs over your "new" decor!  Maybe they think that buying new decor will mean less money for gifts!

I like big ornaments.  The bigger they are, the less you need.  Try to vary the colors and you probably know the old rule about bigger at the bottom and smaller ones at the top?  I ignore that!  I've gotten some nice ornaments after Christmas at Pier One and Kirklands.  Michael's puts all their "Chritmassy" flowers and picks on clearance too so you can pick up a nice variety then. Target is great for wrapping paper and ornaments also. I like how the flowers look tucked in here and there (remember when we all used baby's breath?)

Tree skirts have come along way from the days when all that was available was the red furry thing with the white trim but now they can cost up to $100!  I just took fabric (that happens to match my drapes) and tucked it around the stand.  A pretty Christmas throw would be a good option too or burlap for a more rustic tree.  I also use coordinating wrapping paper for my gifts.  My family thinks that's ridiculous (I ignore them!).

If you are looking for something different for your tree there are hundreds of ideas at HGTV's website, Southern Living etc. and you can always surf the blogs.  It doesn't have to cost that much and if you put your tree in a corner you don't have to decorate the back!

I love to have trees all through the house and the little tabletop ones are fine with me.  I found this little tree on clearance at Michael's last week (stores start clearing out earlier every year) and I just added some ornaments bought at Target last year.

I couldn't resist this little guy!

I did a post recently telling you about the transformation of this tree for my lanai.  You can read about that HERE.  We had a little wind incident and it fell to the ground.  I had to redecorate so it might look a bit sloppy!

There are more trees in my house.  This tree I found at Goodwill and I just added the plates, ornaments and placed it on a glittery wreath.

These little placecards are from HomeGoods.  One of them doesn't look too straight, oops!

Since you are here I will share a few more pictures from my great room (the room without a tree!).

 This is my kitchen breakfast bar.  I don't have a fireplace mantle so I tend to set some things up here. The sleigh is also a Goodwill find.  This and the tree were on the floor hidden back in the Men's section.  The candlesticks are from Ross and the Noel sign is from Michael's.

I love sleighs.  They are so easy to use .  Just stuff them with greenery, ornaments, pine cones or little wrapped packages.  Have you noticed most of my decor doesn't "scream" Christmas?  That way I can use it year round (another way to save money!).  I did read a tip this year that I meant to use and haven't yet.  Tuck real greens from your yard into your faux greens (Thanks Susan from BNOTP!)

I hope you enjoyed seeing my trees and decorations for 2011 and maybe came away with an idea or two for yourself.  I just want to wish all my family and friends (those I've met in person and those I haven't) ...

As always, be sure to visit my sister's blog, Creating Wonderful Spaces.

I am joining Thrifty Decor Chick for her Christmas Tree Party along with Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Also, Debbiedoo's Newbie Party.

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