Faux Tree Fix

Artificial trees leave me with the feeling that something is lacking. Maybe because I've grown up with real trees for Christmas. In fact, every year ours would be dragged right off the hill behind the house with the John Deere, and then nailed to a homemade stand of 2x4's and propped up. Okay, I'll admit that they often looked worse for the wear, but for us they were perfect. Lights, sentimental ornaments, Christmas carols playing ... perfect through the rose colored lenses of childhood. Well... until a few weeks later when all the needles were gone. Literally. By the time we dragged it out of the house, not a needle was left! Oh the memories...

So, back to today and the boxed artificial tree that was left with the house when we bought it. Ugly. Really ugly. It just doesn't fill me with the same nostalgia. (But then I won't have the needle problem either.)

I have found that decorating a real tree versus an artficial one really does call for different tactics, at least for the sparse stick of a tree that I inherited.

Sparse indeed. (But St. Nicolas Day treats are always welcome!)

Alright, so how to squeak some magic out of this poor thing? I'll give you my trial and errors [Top Ten Tactics] as I set up my first tree this year and officially begin my Christmas decorating (didn't the tissue box really count?).

Well, first of all I must determine where the tree will be displayed as that will help to decide which decor the tree will wear this year. The downstairs construction zone is out. The big Arizona room will have it's own real tree this year. The dog dishes are in the one available corner of the kitchen. So that leaves the porch or the front living room. Both good candidates - since I believe that being able to tuck in conceal a third of a fake tree with a corner is a good thing [Tactic #1].

My son, HR, voted for porch and purple, but I leaned towards the reds thinking I could maybe squeeze in some glamorous and mod purple decor for the very fun downstairs should the construction finish up only shortly off schedule. Besides, my front living has richer colors and textures while my other rooms are more contemporary - so, that cinched it - rich reds and the front room. Sorry, HR!  But, you are such a great help!

Now for the basics: stand it straight [Tactic #2] - not always so easy! Apply lots and lots and lots of lights. Add more lights even if it is pre-lit. Trust me. [Tactic #3].

Choose your theme [Tactic #4]. A fun or interesting theme attracts the attention, directing it away from the question of the tree itself. Themes don't have to be fancy, storebought, or even too "themey". Here I brought the outdoors in with clippings from my bushes (that will all too quickly recover when spring arrives). If I find some on sale, I may insert some birds into this decor theme, maybe even a few tiny birdhouses...

Get into the dressing. Some trees look good with fewer embellishments, especially if the the Charlie Brown look is desired. But most scrawny fake trees can't even make a decent C.B. tree.

So, load the goodies on in varying textures, shades and shapes [Tactic #5]. Personally, I could probably use some more ornaments on this tree - will have to find a bargain somewhere...   I stuffed the twig clippings all over - they were free and will reduce my pre-spring trimming. In fact, after this rain goes away, I am going to get more clippings and stuff, stuff, stuff my tree. Fill all those empty spaces inside the tree [Tactic #6].

Skip the traditional tree skirt and opt for something to enhance the theme, to cover the stand and to hide the box on which it teeters perches [Tactic #7]. And that is [Tactic #8]: give the short and spindly fake tree some height. A tree in high heels is like a woman in high heels - sexy. By the way, my husband strongly feels that tree size is important and somehow it directly relates to his status as a man (if you get my drift). Really, its humorous since he is the most non-ego driven man I have ever met. But, when it comes to the tree...   Has anyone else encountered this trait in their hubby when out searching for the perfect tree? It's very peculiar and so laughable - but does make for nice getting warm and toasty afterwards when the tree is home and the kids are in bed... :-)

Give the tree a supporting cast [Tactic #9]. Enhance the theme here and there throughout the room or space and the tree will feel connected and complete. I did this here with the twig clippings and the reds.

Ambience [Tactic #10]. Dim the room lights and let the tree be the star of the show. It is amazing what happens with the right lighting - don't we know that one, ladies?! Not a good picture here to show ambience, as there is daylight pouring in through the window in this shot...

So is this tree perfect? No. But, it did get me feeling all Christmasy inside. And, even though our Thanksgiving will be celebrated in full, it seems so nice to have one room that gives me the feeling of childhood wonder as my heart prepares to celebrate our Lord's birth.