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In My Own Style

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My Simply Decorated Christmas Tree

November 29, 2018 · By Diane Henkler · 27 Comments

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I am intentionally keeping my Christmas simple this year and that includes how I decorated my Christmas tree.  Less store bought decorations… more twinkle lights, candles and time to enjoy the magic of the holidays.

I want to be more present, to give more attention to moments as they are unfolding instead of feeling rushed to get it all done.

We always get a real tree from a local nursery. Every year I come up with a different color scheme to decorate it using a variety of our favorite ornaments. The last two years I used red. This year it is black, white and silver.

Vintage silver Christmas tree ornament

Instead of placing every ornament I had on the tree, I went through all my ornaments and picked out all the silver and Mercury glass ornaments.

Simply decorated real Christmas tree with white twinkle lights and silver mercury glass ornaments

They add a little bit of a vintage touch that I love to see at Christmas.

Vintage silver Christmas tree ornament

The Mercury glass ornaments really come alive at night when they reflect the glow of the white twinkle lights I adore. Christmas without twinkle lights on the tree is just not Christmas for me.

Lake Murray SC in winter

I also chose to keep the Christmas tree decorations and the rest of the house simple so they don’t clash with this view.  Even in winter when the lake level is down… the lake, big blue sky and nature all around are tough competition for the decorations.

Simple Christmas tree ribbon box topper

Our little part of the lake gives us a show from sun up to sun down, providing us with a changing scene all day long. I call it my wall art. :-)

Any added decoration has to work with it… up to a point.

Wicker Christmas Tree collar getting a coat of glitter

Do you remember this Christmas tree collar that I made a few years ago using a big basket I found at the thrift store?  This year after I had the tree up, I decided it needed a touch of glitter.

How to add glitter to a basket style Christmas tree collar.

To add it, I simply sprayed the tree stand collar with spray glue and shook glitter all over it.

I know what you are thinking… “Why didn’t you add it before you put up the tree, as it would have been easier?”  Yes, it would have been a lot less messy, but the idea only came to me after the tree was up. There was no way I was going to take it down just to add glitter.

Glitter, twinkle lights and yes….

Black and white gift wrap on presents with colorful ribbon bows

…seeing pops of color. I added them in the way of satin ribbons on black and white gift wrapped Christmas presents.

Black and white buffalo plaid ribbon on gift wrap of the same design

I found the 3-1/2″ wide white buffalo black plaid ribbon at TJMaxx. It is also where I bought all the gift wrap  There was only 1 roll of the ribbon, but I knew it would be a perfect accent for the silver ornaments, so I grabbed it.

The satin ribbons are mostly from craft stores. I have assembled quite a stash over the years and enjoy finding ways to use it. I store all of it in the ribbon organizer I made for the wall in my studioffice.

Now that the tree is up and decorated, the way I enjoy it the most is when the sun goes down…

Candle glowing in front of a Christmas tree with white lights

…and the twinkle lights begin their magic. I have a few candles burning and Christmas music is playing.  Seasonal bliss… :-)

I am enjoying it all evening long, but enjoy the coziness the most at dusk as I prepare dinner. I love the atmosphere with a glass of wine as I cook and can still see the twinkling tree and hear the music.

Next Monday I am taking part in Christmas House Tour and will show you a few other areas of the house where I added holiday touches.

Decorating Resources:

Twinkle lights  | Buffalo Plaid Ribbon

Christmas Tree Decorating Schemes I Have Used Over the Years

Even before I started blogging, I had decorated quite a lot of Christmas trees… literally hundreds.  Since I began blogging full-time, only one a year now….whewww!

If you are looking for Christmas tree decorating inspiration, here are a few trees I have decorated over the years using a variety of color schemes.

Christmas decorating and wrapping ideas

The Red Plaid tree...

…on which I used garlands I made. I posted about how I made them:

  • How to Make a Snowball Garland
  • Tiny white pom-pom garland is yarn bought at the craft store.
  • Red pom-pom garland and wide red plaid ribbon are from Michaels
  • Ho Ho Ho Ribbon is from Paper Mart
  • I bought the gold bead garland at a yard sale.

Christmas Tree Skirt Ideas Hinged Frame

The Turquoise Tree

  • I made paper ornaments for this tree that I placed in my dining room one year.
  • DIY Pipe Cleaner Garland
  • How to Make a Photo Frame Tree Stand Cover

Christmas Decorating Ideas All Through the House

The Dead Tree

  • I truly enjoyed bringing this dead tree back to life with white spray paint and shiny glass ornaments purchased at Michaels and Walmart.

Decorating-a-Christmas-Tree

The Snowflake Tree

  • I added glitter to foam snowflakes I bought at the dollar store to decorate this tree. I reused the pipe cleaner garland I made from a previous year. When I worked in the visual department at a department store I got a bin full of large fuchsia balls that were being thrown away – one of the perks of the job.  I haven’t used them in the past few years, but I still have them.

Christmas tree garland ideas to make using ribbon

The Vertical Ribbon Tree

  • I created this tree for a sponsored post when I first started blogging. I used ribbons and made garlands with shapes to hang. It was colorful, but hid too much of the tree and lights.

How are you decorating your Christmas tree this year?

How to put strings of lights on a Christmas tree the easy way. Photo of a Christmas tree with weave pattern on it to show stinging technique.7 Christmas Tree Lighting Tips that Will Make the Job Easier
Christmas Mantel Decorating Idea Glitter Glass TreesChristmas Mantel Decor: Glittered Glass Christmas Trees
Easy Christmas decorating idea using a chalk boardChristmas Decorating Ideas: Decking My Halls
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Filed Under: Christmas Ideas, Christmas Tree Decorating, Decorating and Craft Ideas, Holiday Decorating Projects

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Comments

  1. Sheryll $ Critters. says

    12/08/2018 at 5:44 pm

    All are really beautiful trees. My favorite is the red plaid. And I’ve always had a fond place for dead trees decorated. I think this stems from Charlie Brown’s Tree. And I’m definitely loving your black, white and silver of this year.one

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  2. Tracey says

    12/07/2018 at 10:14 am

    I love the simplicity of your decorating. I am also going with a more simple theme this year. I am on a tight budget this year due to having 3 in college, and I am tired of some of my decorations, so I opted to not use them. I am enjoying the atmosphere with the less is more approach. Thanks for your inspiration!

    Reply
  3. Carole Larsen says

    12/04/2018 at 3:11 am

    Everything you did this year looks so beautiful and simple is my word this year also. Since I won’t be at my home this year for Christmas I was able to decorate less and I actually feel more relaxed and everything looks less busy. That doesn’t mean that next year I will be back to normal.

    I would miss not seeing your blogs and hope you keep us entertained for years to come.

    Reply
  4. Donnamae says

    12/03/2018 at 9:46 am

    I’m so with you on a simpler Christmas. I’ve only put out bowls of ornaments, and my dear MIL’s ceramic tree so far….that’s it. The tree comes next week. I am curious though…on your mantle, you have pine cones on candlesticks…did you use glue dots or museum wax to keep them upright? Your ‘dead tree’ is one of my favorites. Your current tree is so magical! ;)

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      12/03/2018 at 10:47 am

      Hi Donnamae – I wrote in the post how I attached the pinecones. It is right under the photo. :-) I used hot glue. Apply a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the pinecone and place on top of the candle holder. When the holidays are over, simply snap the pinecone off. Remove any hot glue residue from candleholder by holding it under very cold water. The glue will become hard and you will be able to peel it off.

      Reply
      • Donnamae says

        12/03/2018 at 11:02 am

        Sorry I missed that…thank you for taking the time to answer!! ;)

        Reply
  5. 1960s girl says

    12/03/2018 at 9:31 am

    Hello,
    I would love to see how to make an ornament tree, but there doesn’t seem to be a link to it.
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      12/03/2018 at 9:39 am

      Hi Chantal – Here is the link to the post I wrote about how to make the ornament tree: https://inmyownstyle.com/christmas-minute-ornament-tree.html

      Reply
  6. Cindy says

    11/30/2018 at 11:32 pm

    I love the idea of keeping things simple. In fact, my family has decided to stop exchanging gifts this year. We all have had some unexpected expenses. We are going to each bring a gift and play the different version of the Dirty Santa game that my daughter-in-law found last year. It was quite the hit. I love the red plaid tree that you did. There is nothing like the traditional Christmas colors.

    Reply
  7. The Modest Mansion says

    11/30/2018 at 12:08 pm

    Diane – perfect sentiment for this time of year! Slow down and smell the pine! Our new home doesn’t need much decor to feel “Christmassy”. Sometimes less really is more – have a great holiday!

    Reply
  8. DONNA WRIGHT says

    11/30/2018 at 10:58 am

    My favorite is the “dead tree”, BUT I love everything you do! May God bless you and your family throughout this Christmas season and beyond.

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    11/30/2018 at 10:49 am

    One of my favorites is the Dead Tree, too! I also think the ribbon tree could be tweaked a little to be gorgeous; I would do velvet and satin and burlap ribbons in white/black/tan and have the ribbons go in and out of the leaves, like waving as they go down! So inspiring……!

    Reply
  10. Cathy L CLARK says

    11/30/2018 at 10:30 am

    I LOVE your “simplified” Christmas décor so much! I too slowed way down this year & I’m happy for it! You’ve done a beautiful job, as always!

    Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    11/30/2018 at 9:15 am

    Beautiful Diane, you truly don’t need anything else besides that view. Love your tree. And I’m so with you. I’m keeping it simple this year too and have been blogging a lot less. It feels very good ;)

    Reply
  12. Linda S says

    11/30/2018 at 3:26 am

    I’m also trying to have a simpler Christmas this year and enjoy the moments without feeling rushed. I was taking out boxes of decorations when it occurred to me that I don’t actually have to use all of them as I usually do, so I’m being selective with my decorating. My tree is a traditional fresh tree with the various ornaments we’ve collected over the years (including some our children made), but I mix it up by changing the lights each year. This year is a purple/teal/gold lights theme. I’m inspired by all of your trees, but that dead tree is especially striking with the vibrant colors against the white branches!

    Reply
  13. Lisa Ronan says

    11/29/2018 at 11:13 pm

    Boy would I love a post of just all your previous trees! I love the glitter basket idea and I’m totally stealing the pipe cleaner garland! It has such a vintage look to it.

    As for my trees, I must confess I usually have one per room, each with its own theme. Not sure if it’ll happen this year or not with all the craziness in my life, but my family room tree is always blown glass ornies. There’s just something about the tradition of it?

    Reply
  14. Joanne B. says

    11/29/2018 at 9:55 pm

    Gah! I literally came home from Home Goods, ate dinner and sat down to escape to blogland and you are always on my list! I love your black, white and silver tree! Now when I was in Home Goods I saw what i think are those very same mercury glass ornaments for $3.99 each and I LOVED THEM but I told myself I have enough Christmas stuff and they did not come home with me. Sigh. Needless to say, tomorrow I will go back to Home Goods (luckily they had quite a few!) and treat myself to a few or 10! I do a traditional tree with ornaments I have collected for the 38 years we have ben married. I love the idea of going a little simpler, but I do so love seeing my favorite ornaments again every year and couldn’t bear to know I was leaving some in the box because they didn’t make the cut! Do I “need” those mercury glass ornaments? No, absolutely not. But my tree does. They are the epitome of a classic, traditional tree and I must comply, right?

    Reply
  15. Sharon says

    11/29/2018 at 5:44 pm

    Your tree is so pretty! I love shine and sparkle for Christmas, too!

    Reply
  16. Sharon H says

    11/29/2018 at 5:39 pm

    Oh, they’re all beautiful! So cheery and joyful looking, Diane….I’m envious! Love the buffalo plaid ribbon….and I have some gorgeous silver as well as blood-red mercury glass ornaments. Absolutely adore them!

    Reply
  17. Sara says

    11/29/2018 at 3:22 pm

    Hi Diane… I have a question about your twinkle lights. Do they actually twinkle, or do they flash? I’ve been trying to find genuine twinkle lights for a long time, but most of them flash and it drives me crazy. ;)

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      11/29/2018 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Sara – They don’t flash, I don’t like flashing lights at all. Mine twinkle. I wrote about the lights I use a few weeks ago. Here is a link to the post: https://inmyownstyle.com/tips-to-simplifying-christmas-decorating-for-a-more-meaningful-holiday-season.html

      Here is a link to the twinkle lights I use: Mini White Twinkle Lights

      Reply
      • sara says

        11/29/2018 at 3:57 pm

        Thanks Diane! I’m not sure how I missed that post, but I just ordered them. SO excited!!

        Reply
  18. Holly says

    11/29/2018 at 3:21 pm

    Looks so elegant! Can’t wait for the xmas house tour!!

    Reply
  19. MaryJean Zajac says

    11/29/2018 at 3:09 pm

    Oh, that view is to die for! Love the way you decorate the tree and the gift wrappings.

    Reply
  20. Laura says

    11/29/2018 at 2:53 pm

    Diane, i love this years tree but then all of your trees are so pretty.

    Reply
  21. c says

    11/29/2018 at 2:45 pm

    My tree this year is white lights, white/cream, silver and crystal ornaments. Quite lovely in our light neutrals LR room.

    My favorite tree of yours is the Dead Tree. It’s just so creative!

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      11/29/2018 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Connie – Thanks. It is one of my favorite trees. One that just came together without any planning. :-)

      Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
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