Hi friends!
Happy Holidays! It is with so much emotion that I write this, my last column as the 2021 Brand Ambassador. Having this honor was a dream come true and an incredible experience I will never forget! Thank you for all your kindness and support. Thank you for your friendships. I hope you have felt my love, and I also hope you’ve found inspiration in my columns. I look forward to staying connected. Love you lots and lots.
I’m not going to lie: Setting up and styling a Christmas tree in August was awesome. I had so much fun! I quickly decided I wanted to decorate our tree the same way I style all the spaces in our home, with my favorite mix of old and new. I used vintage ornaments I found at thrift stores, flea markets and yardies, combined with new vintage-style ornaments from Hobby Lobby. Our flocked tree is also from Hobby Lobby. I’ve been eyeing it for a few years and was excited to finally purchase it. I love that it looks like it’s right out of a forest. The branches have lots of snow, and it’s quickly become my favorite tree ever!
Make a Faux Tree Look Fabulous
- Fluff, Fluff, Fluff. Take time to fluff each branch. Don’t rush this first step. It’s key to making your faux tree look like a real tree. Pull apart and separate each branch. I start from the bottom and work my way up. Fluff out each branch to hide the center pole and not leave any large holes. Step back and check out your tree as you go. Continue to fluff and tweak the branches as you move around the tree and decorate.
- Add More Lights. Add lights at this point if your tree is not pre-lit. Even if it is pre-lit, you can add additional strings of lights for that extra pretty holiday glow. They do not need to be fancy or even strung perfectly. You can find strings of lights at crafts stores, dollar stores, even the grocery store.
- Add Ornaments. I look forward to pulling out my collection of vintage ornaments every holiday season. They are so beautiful, and I include as many on the tree as I can possibly fit.
Add Ornaments to Create a Full Tree
- You can never have too many ornaments. I added ornaments to our tree for three days before calling it good.
- Go section by section. I started at the top, going one small section at a time, adding ornaments, and moving down and across the tree, making sure each section was filled. Don’t be stingy.
- Now edit. Step back after hanging a few ornaments and check placement, adjust if needed and add more as you go.
- The goal is to cover each branch in ornaments. Be sure to hang ornaments on the inside branches as well as the outside branches. This little step is the key to having a fully loaded and festive tree.
Sweet Details for a Beautifully Festive Christmas Tree
- I purchased ribbon (varied colors/textures) and tied a strip around the top of each ornament for a little something extra. It’s such an easy and budget-friendly way to add lots of texture to your tree. The color and fabric possibilities for the holidays are endless. Try velvet, lace, twine, strips of fabric; just have fun with it.
- Include ornaments of various sizes: I added medium and large round ornaments, mixed with vintage ornaments of different sizes.
- Tinsel is back, friends. There is no rhyme or reason when it comes to adding tinsel to your Christmas tree. If you’ve made the choice to trim your tree with tinsel, you are feeling those vintage vibes, and just add it until your heart is content.
- Our tree is inside a vintage European cheese sifter and wrapped in a chunky blanket for cozy cottage vibes. Other options include a large basket or bucket, or set your tree on top of a vintage sled for a super fun and festive holiday look.
- I wrapped gifts in brown kraft paper and tied them up with yarn in colors that complemented my vintage ornaments. For a cohesive vibe, choose wrapping paper and ribbon in the same color scheme as your ornaments.
- Top your tree with a favorite tree topper. I added a sparkly gold star to complete our festive tree. Other ideas include traditional angels, clusters of ornaments and vintage glass tree toppers.
I hope you love this festive, whimsical tree as much as my boys and I do. I also hope it inspires you to enjoy the season with those you love—because that is what’s most important.
Cheers, sweet friends!
Toni xo
To see more of Toni’s home, visit her on Instagram
