As Snooki famously said: the party’s here!
Woop woop — the tree is up. This year, now that Clara is old enough to handle real ornaments (we still reserved a few shatter-proof ones for the very bottom), we decided on a white-to-hot-pink-to-red gradient. It feels bold and festive. I keep teasing that “boom goes the dynamite” every time I walk past it.
We do have a collection of sentimental ornaments that we cherish, but those live on our small tabletop tree. We bought that little tree last year and loved it so much it’s become a tradition, so we’re saving the most meaningful pieces for it. We’ll share photos of that tree once we set it up — likely next week so it has a chance to survive until Christmas.
Back to the gradient tree: we wanted the colors to deepen as they approached the floor. We already had a stash of white ornaments from our silver-themed tree years ago and some soft pink ones from a previous project. We also reused several homemade ornaments, and then picked up a handful of hot pink and bright red spheres to complete the transition. With seasonal sales, the new additions were inexpensive.
My partner originally suggested keeping the palette strictly white to red with some silvery-pink ornaments mixed in, but I persuaded him to add hot pink for a livelier look — and I’m happy with how it turned out. We arranged the ornaments in four horizontal bands: white at the top, then light pink, hot pink, and bright red at the base. To tie everything together, we added a few inexpensive candy canes that matched the scheme.
For a tree skirt we used faux sheepskins from IKEA, which always look cozy and chic. We also found a whimsical bicycle ornament at a nearby store that fit the playful vibe of the tree.
We opted to go without a traditional topper this year. We’re holding out for one we truly love rather than settling for something that doesn’t feel quite right — patience, in this case, seems to be the best plan.
At night the tree looks magical — I’ve nicknamed her “Glowy Glowerson” because the lights give everything such a warm, inviting glow.
Over the years our tree styles have shifted. In 2007 and 2008 we favored a white-and-silver theme. In 2009 we experimented with citrus colors and even used dried fruit as ornaments. In 2010 we mixed green, pink, and silver for a playful, shimmery look. Last year our tabletop tree featured handmade ornaments from a Pinterest challenge, while the large tree showcased paint-chip ornaments and colorful ribbons, chosen to avoid anything fragile while Clara was still quite little.
I’m a list person, so here’s what’s still on my holiday to-do list. Crossing things off gives me a real thrill, and yes, I will sometimes mark tasks complete just for that satisfying feeling if time runs short.
set up the big tree (gradient, baby!)- get a live tabletop tree again (repeating last year’s tradition with a fresh ornament idea)
- decorate the mantel, built-ins, and entryway console
- hang outdoor lights and style the front porch
- take a Christmas photo of Clara and Burger for our annual card
- assemble or make an advent calendar for Clara
- finish shopping for and crafting gifts on our list (about half done so far)
It’s starting to feel festive around here. How are you getting into the holiday spirit? Maybe you’re holding off on carols until a specific date, or perhaps you’re making lists just for the satisfaction of checking boxes. Are you planning any homemade projects this season — gifts, treats, or calendars? I’d love to hear what traditions or new ideas you’re trying this year.
P.S. If you enjoy holiday projects and photos, we have a gallery of past projects and ideas to inspire you.
Update: We also compiled our favorite holiday decor finds — many budget-friendly — for easy browsing.