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
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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?