Monday, December 19, 2022

My CCC Christmas Tree

Tim Walker - Vogue U.K.


Before artificial Christmas trees became popular and realistic looking, I of course always got a fresh cut Christmas tree. The garden center I bought my trees from in Alexandria, Virginia interestingly carried Noble Fir trees although they are from the Pacific Northwest. I was drawn to their very architectural look with lots of space for ornaments. I got Noble Firs for many years.


Noble Fir

I was in the market for a new artificial Christmas tree this year and looked in person at lots of trees at lots of places. All the Christmas trees I found were very generic and frankly seriously ugly. Then I read a review in Architectural Digest on The Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2022. Their first pick was the Noble Fir by Terrain.

"Terrain’s design team modeled this cutie after a real specimen in the woods, so you know it’s going to look more natural than any other artificial Christmas tree. Call them spindly, twiggy, or even occasionally scraggly—but we think some of the most charming artificial Christmas trees are these nearly bare Noble fir beauties."


Terrain's Noble Fir

 
To make a long story short, I ended up buying this unlit 8' one from Grandin Road shown below (no longer in stock). The Grandin Road version reminded me more of a real Noble Fir. Both the Terrain and Grandin Road have sold out.

I wanted a tree that is unique, looks real, has space between branches to show off my beautiful ornaments, would not block my gorgeous view, comes unlit, that I could easily put up myself, and that I could hang ornaments and put the tree topper on without hanging off of tall ladders. This checked every single box. Bingo!

I prefer doing my own lights for several reasons.

Most trees come with LED lights and I prefer the warmth of incandescent.

I can put on as many lights as I want. Most prelit trees do not have enough IMHO.

Tip - I use 100 light strands as opposed to strands with 200 or 300 lights. If a strand goes out, it is much easier to remove and replace a short strand.

I find that with artificial trees, the lights are the first things to go bad.

The Grandin Road tree below unlit and undecorated.


Grandin Road Noble Fir


I spent a couple of months finding ornaments online - a combination of chinoiserie, seashells, and sea creatures. I really had fun hunting them all down. I had purchased the fabulous gold glitter coral tree topper from Pottery Barn last year at the end of the season.

Here it is. I hope you enjoy it.



CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC


CCC





50 comments:

  1. Bravo Beth! Love the turtle ornament. Your tree is beautiful. Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The turtle is a favorite of mine. Thank you so much and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  2. It is gorgeous, you did an outstanding job,just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas🎅

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW ! Just Darling :) You've got some gorgeous ornaments. MERRY CHRISTMAS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fun finding the ornaments. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

      Delete
  4. Wow! You have the perfect Christmas tree in my opinion. It is everything Palm Beach. Love, love, love. I am on the hunt for your ornaments so that I can have a similar tree next year. Thank you for sharing! You are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It was fun but challenging hunting down ornaments. Happy Holidays.

      Delete
  5. Absolutely beautiful. I never thought of buying a tree with so mush space between branches , but what a great idea. You have inspired me. Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I like a tree that really displays the ornaments like this. Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  6. Unique tree ….sooooo you! Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning! Beth, as usual, you found the most unique and beautiful ornaments.
    The monkey is my favorite. Thank you for a year of helpful, fun reading. I appreciate the hard work you put in to often make my day. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are four monkeys - I love them! Thank you so much for following and have a wonderful Christmas.

      Delete
  8. So so PRETTY, Beth! Merry Christmas!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOVE your tree and ornaments. Could spend all day looking at them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Merry Christmas! What a great collection and great mix. I especially love the beaded jeweled ones -- unique. The monkey with the parasol is adorable as are the wicker pieces. You are the shopping queen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merry Christmas to you. I had so much fun finding all the ornaments. The monkeys and the wicker are favorites.

      Delete
  11. Beautiful tree and ornaments! I love the jelly fish and the monkey!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your tree is lovely. Can you please tell me where, and what brand, if possible, you found your mini white incandescent lights? Personally, I prefer the old fashioned ones with the C7 bulbs. (I think that is what they are called.) Regardless of the type of bulb, the mini lights just seem too "glary" to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The C7 are easily found on Amazon. Mine are the mini from Home Depot.

      Delete
  13. It’s beautiful! What a lovely job you’ve done. I’m so glad that you finally have a Christmas tree here in Florida. Well done, Beth!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wrote the previous comment, but it didn’t put my name. I know you were making handmade ornaments for your tree. Which ones are they on that beautiful Christmas tree?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The handmade ones are mostly on the wicker pagodas - lots of real coral and sea urchins. The ones I made on this tree are the sea urchins.

      Delete
  15. Beautiful collection of ornaments.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your tree is so unique and beautiful! I am so weary of seeing posts of "designer" trees that, frankly, although lovely, all start to look the same. The monkeys with parasols are adorable as are your handmade seashell ornaments. And so many lights! This must have been a real labor of love. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much. It was lots of fun. I look forward to finding more ornaments for next year.

      Delete
  17. Love Douglas Fir...spacing for the ornaments is everything. All the ornaments can be easily seen and they all stand out. The coastal theme is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I have always preferred Christmas trees with spacing for ornaments. Thanks so much!

      Delete
  18. What a fun coastal tree! I love it. Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beth, the ornaments you located or made are quite special, and you've brilliantly chosen color combinations and sparkle that echo the ocean itself. It's honestly the most beautifully curated tree I've ever seen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh. Your comment made my day. Thank you so much!!!!

      Delete
  20. Love all the ornaments - just darling.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I hope your Christmas is as gorgeous as that tree. Thank you for all the up-close ornament photos. They are spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I had so much fun finding the ornaments.

      Delete