Pages

Holiday Home Series: The Family Tree~A New Tradition


Welcome back to The Holiday Home Series.




 This year I am starting a new family tradition.  It's very simple but to me, very special.

We have two full sized Christmas trees at our house. "The Real Tree" and "The Special Tree".  "The Real Tree" is in the lower level Family Room.  It's a large tree loaded with all the kids' ornaments, multi-colored lights, and crazy loud train underneath.  The Special Tree sits in the Living Room.  It's a tall slim tree that displays a cherished collection of Hallmark ornaments given to me each year by my Dad until he passed away three years ago.

The Special Tree... 



This year, I am starting a new tradition with The Special Tree.  Nothing was more important to Dad than family.  It made him so happy when everyone gathered together.  To honor him and his love for our family I came up with a very simple way to incorporate the entire family into The Special Tree.





Using craft glue, I wrote the name of each family member on a red bulb. Then I sprinkled it with silver glitter while the glue was still wet.





I used regular silver glitter from the art supply store.







Each ornament was tied with a large wire ribbon bow.  







As our family visits our home during the holiday season, they will place their ornament on The Special Tree.






Those family members that are no longer with us, have already been placed on the top of the tree. 






Until everyone has been here, their ornament will wait for them, here,






doubling as a cute table accessory.






The Special Tree also waits,






to be completely filled 






with every last ornament.  





There's always room for one more, right?





For secret tips on how to decorate your Christmas Tree like a pro, click here. 





Does your family have a special tradition? 
To view the entire Holiday Home Series, please click here.
For information on my affordable online design services, please click here.

Merry Christmas,

24 comments:

  1. That's a really sweet way to honor everyone in your family, and include those who come to visit. What a great idea. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is such a lovely idea. I lost my dad last November so Christmas was very hard. But this year I think I'm ready to incorporate his memory into our celebration. So glad to see you've found a way to do this too - thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I lost my mom 2 years ago and the holidays are definetly not the same without her....each year I select an "angel" ornament in memory of her (since she is in heaven and is my angel now)
    I also began taking my boys to Bronners Christmas Wonderland the Monday after Thanksgiving (today!) to see Santa, pick an ornament to have personalized and a yummy lunch

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing your Holiday Home Series. Your ideas have inspired me....just when I thought we didn't need a tree! All our decor is in storage until we close on our home Dec 16 and it's a renovation Christmas over there. I went to Walmart tonight...bought their cheapest tree ($40) headed to the dollar tree and bought snowflakes, red ornaments and yes..spray snow for the branches! Our kids were happy to decorate and the tree looks fabulous. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love that idea! How lovely that each person places their ornament on the tree when they come to visit....that is so sweet. Thanks for sharing another great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful way to honor everyone in the family, especially those we hold dear in the heart. The tree is gorgeous! I love it, thank you for sharing it with us. I love the whole theme, it's stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your tree! Simple, personal, elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can only imagine how special each guest will feel this Christmas season. Such a touching way to incorporate those important to you throughout the month! No crazy traditions here, but we did recently start having my mom put the pickle ornament on the tree, and we see which kid can find it first to open a present early :) Just something for kicks and giggles.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love having and creating traditions at Christmas!! What a wonderful remembrance of your Dad! I love your playlist too!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really love this idea! I'm not very crafty, but I think I can actually handle this one. This is my first time visiting your blog, and it is just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interestingly enough, this was one of our family traditions when I was growing up. Everyone of significance to our family, friends, boyfriends got an ornament with their name in glitter!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Holy smokes your tree and mantel are gorgeous!!! Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  13. WOW, that is one beautiful tree! Love those antlers on the mantel, genius idea, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. thats a wonderful tradition! gorgeous trees!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just stunning. Your style is fantastic. Thanks for joining our link party!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful tree! Love the red with the zebra print ribbon!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful! I love the colors and fun zebra bows (:

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh this is awesome- I want to feature it next week- love the ribbon!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. ohhh I am addicted to zebra!!!! this is gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great idea! I adore your stockings and zebra ribbon by the way! Merry Christmas :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is really, really cool! Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful way to honor your father! And so pretty too. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. All I can say upon seeing your tree is "WOW". I can't believe that you did it with your family, I thought it was professionally done for a homestyle magazine. So glamorous and fabulous! Thumbs up to you Christmas tree decorating ideas. Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete