Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Monday, December 2, 2013

Some Christmas Trees

We are just beginning to decorate for christmas - and I see by the calendar that it is just 3 weeks and 1 day until christmas eve.  I've been battling a huge cold/cough - but I'm winning.  Don started with putting the lights on the tree this past weekend - this post is not from this year - this is a repeat from 2009, but I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd share it again - with a bit of updating.

And now - how to put lights on the christmas tree - this idea came from our youngest daughter - who is an expert tree decorator. She has as many as three themed trees some years. One year she had a Cello tree -  her trees always look like a professional did them, she has such wonderful details on each tree.

Her idea is for how to put lights on an artificial tree - obviously it wouldn't work on a real tree.



When you get the bottom layer of branches put together - spread the lights all over the branches - clear in to the center stem of the tree - this way you have lights all through the tree and not just on the ends of the branches - and you don't get scratches on your hands and arms by reaching inside the branches to put the lights in.


Add another layer of branches - and more lights - spread out all over the branches - it is easier to do it this way because you are working from the top of the portion of the tree that has just been put together.



More rows of branches - more lights. We use a zillion small lights for a wondrous, sparkly effect.



And almost to the top - this one was a little squiggly but I like the looks of the lights in it . . .


And a REALLY squiggly picture - but I kind of like it .

So some of you probably already do the lights this way - if not, maybe give it a try next time, it sure does make light stringing faster if you like lots and lots of lights.

Or

You can just do like I did for our second tree, the teddy bear tree - just go buy yourself a prelit tree and be done with fussing with the lights. Don does the lights on the big tree - I bought a prelit tree one year.

Here are some of our trees over the years - it is fun to see how different each year looks - even with the same artificial tree and the same ornaments.



We also have bubble lights, and lights shaped like bells and snowballs.


The teddy bear tree with all white lights, and teddy bear lights . . .and of course, only teddy bear ornaments.
An angel teddy on the top - and somewhere on the tree is a wooden partridge (you know the song - A Partridge in A Bear Tree)

Strings of popcorn and cranberries . . . plastic ones that we bought at Sears many, many years ago.  The lighted tree top we have had for well over 40 years - it has melted a little on one side and is hard to get to stand up straight - but we wouldn't trade it for anything.

The Three Bears in the front of the tree were purchased when we lived in Kansas.  We went to The Plaza in Kansas City - we had been told it was the first mall in the US - and of course, being from California, we thought Mall meant, well, Mall - indoors, lots of people rushing back and forth.

Oh the surprise - first of all - the Plaza is OUTDOORS - and at Christmas in Kansas it is COLD - we were wearing our light California jackets and while we did enjoy the buildings all lit up - we spent a lot of time ducking into the shops to warm up.  One of the shops had the printed fabric of the Three Bears and I couldn't resist.    They have been under our christmas trees since 1976.


I like the shiny glittery tree at night . . . in a house built in 1920 . . . from a kit purchased from Sears

Another christmas we lived in a very big  farmhouse - and you can see the lights reflected in the windows
.
And now some photos of our youngest daughter's trees . . .

A Baby Harp Seal Tree . . .

The same Baby Harp Seal tree - different house . . .she also made the felt stockings hanging on the mantle - one is race cars - the other is Sasquatch's Big Foot.

With a flash - so you can see all the Baby Harp Seals on the tree . . .

Her Sea Turtle tree - she can find the most interesting ornaments. . .

Sea Turtle tree - all lit up . . .


Do you have a favorite kind of ornament for your tree, or do you use the ones collected by the family over the years?


16 comments:

GardenOfDaisies said...

What beautiful trees! All of them! We decorate our tree with all sorts of ornaments collected over the years, or made by the kids when they were young. I had to laugh at your Plaza story. I've never heard it called a "mall". Shopping district is more like it. :-)

Julie Fukuda said...

That's a lot'a lights! We have a small house so one string will do. We put the center bulb at the top and spiral the strand to the bottom. Most ornaments are either home-made or have a story to go with them.

Pondside said...

Thank you for the great lighting tip - we just recently bought an artificial tree and this looks like a really good idea!

Em Parkinson said...

I love them all but the smudgy ones are my favourites!

Lili said...

Just looking at your images of trees really conjures up such warm Christmas memories Jo! I especially enjoy seeing the reflection of them in windows, mirrors or whatever! Hope you feel better soon! xo

Lili said...

Just looking at your images of trees really conjures up such warm Christmas memories Jo! I especially enjoy seeing the reflection of them in windows, mirrors or whatever! Hope you feel better soon! xo

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You've really had some beautiful trees over the years. Great memories. I hope you feel better real soon.

Lois Andersen said...

Beautiful trees, each and everyone! I still think of the year we did the house to house tree tour!

Kay said...

What beautiful trees! We have a small (4 ft.) artificial one I've had so long I'm not sure where I got it. You reminded me that I have a small angel bear that's now sitting at the top of our tree, which is covered with ornaments from here, there, and everywhere over many, many years. I love the idea of a themed tree, but would miss so many of the ornaments that make me happy again when I see them each year. My husband has suggested that I do a themed wreath, which I think I'll do - covered with hearts.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What pretty and creative trees! I love the baby harp seal tree! Thank you for the light tutorial, too! We don't have a theme tree, just blue lights, blue and silver bulbs and snowflakes and angels. Glad you are feeling better. Hugs xo Karen

Jeanne said...

What fun!!! it is nice to look back at the creations over the years.

eileeninmd said...

Fun post, I enjoyed seeing all your beautiful trees. I am glad you are feeling better, take care and have a great day.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Someone has some wonderful trees! You and your daughter both! And a baby seal tree??? How precious! My SIL would go wild over that. I loved ALL of them, and your trees are as fun as your quilts!

xo

Sheila

Nancy Jo said...

Wow that's a lot of trees!! They all look so pretty, makes me want to put ours up. Hope you are feeling better.
Nancy Jo

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Oh this was a lot of fun to see the various trees over the years in different locations! ;0 )

Your daughter's harp seal tree is so sweet!

Candy S said...

I bought two trees at the Home Depot last year after Christmas, they were the floor models at 90 percent off. They are prelit with the clear lights (first time for me to have a prelit tree). My husband told me how to put the white lights through the center of the tree and we would also do a lot of the twinkly colored lights on the outer branches. I love your daughters Harp seal tree, it is precious with the little seals and the white ornaments. Have a great day..... Candy