Houzzers Deck the Halls
From traditional to quirky to innovative, readers show their Christmas tree style
We asked you to show us your Christmas trees, and you gave us a forest of photos. Some of the trees are classic, many are amazingly creative, and some can only be described as one-of-a-kind (such as a black tree with Nightmare Before Christmas ornaments). But perhaps my favorites fall into the charming category. A host of Houzzers have been collecting ornaments for 20 years or more. Their trees have a look that can only be built over many seasons and with ornaments that record a lifetime of celebrations.
Playsingarden has created a tree like no other by artfully stacking rusted Christmas tree stands.
Branching Out
A lot of branch trees were also shared. One of the most striking is this beauty from susanseet. “I’m not sure what you’d call our tree, but the cranes and the Nativity are entirely origami. It’s certainly not traditional and it’s quite minimalist. The branch came from our own garden and the glass jar is one I’ve had for years and years, so it’s pretty old. I folded all the origami myself,” she says.
A lot of branch trees were also shared. One of the most striking is this beauty from susanseet. “I’m not sure what you’d call our tree, but the cranes and the Nativity are entirely origami. It’s certainly not traditional and it’s quite minimalist. The branch came from our own garden and the glass jar is one I’ve had for years and years, so it’s pretty old. I folded all the origami myself,” she says.
The bottle contains a Nativity scene, complete with the baby in the manger. “The jar acts like a transparent stable and protects the Nativity pieces from being blown over due to its light weight, but it totally adds to the whole composition,” she says. “I especially love it when there’s a light breeze and the colorful cranes flutter gracefully, catching our attention. This tree is a real conversation piece to all who have come to our home to visit. It’s very simple to replicate, cost effective and lovely beyond measure.”
Macbeldesigngroup created this branch tree during a hard time. The Houzzer found the tree limb on the side of the house after being laid off and put it aside to use later. “Christmas arrived, [and I was] low on cash [and] I still needed a tree. It was my niece’s first Christmas and I couldn’t disappoint her,” the reader says.
The creative Houzzer brought the branch inside and spent an afternoon decorating it. “She woke up and saw the lit tree … [I] will never forget the look on her face,” macbeldesigngroup says. “Best Christmas ever.”
The creative Houzzer brought the branch inside and spent an afternoon decorating it. “She woke up and saw the lit tree … [I] will never forget the look on her face,” macbeldesigngroup says. “Best Christmas ever.”
Another stunner is a branch arrangement created by foofaraw. “This tree was my Christmas tree a few years ago while living in a 600-square-foot apartment,” says this Houzzer. “I gathered the branches from the yard after the pear tree was trimmed and cut the greens from shrubbery on the property.”
Dig Your Garden Landscape Design made this tree last year and used an image of it to decorate a Christmas card. It’s a branch mounted in a stand and decorated with succulents and tillandsias (the ornaments became gifts later).
Kimvanswan recommends making a driftwood tree. “It is simply beautiful, clean and sustainable,” she says.
The family of kennedytarheel likes to think outside the box when it comes to trees. Here’s one the family crafted from branches.
Another of kennedytarheel’s trees is adorned with recycled Coke bottles.
In ekmbear’s house, this MacKenzie-Childs stick tree stays up all year round.
An Unconventional Christmas
The owners of this piece simply change the paper ornaments to fit the season.
The owners of this piece simply change the paper ornaments to fit the season.
The book-loving family of king_leo did something equally unexpected by stacking and decorating books.
Arelago says that a bleak winter makes a person weary of the usual things. So this Houzzer crafted a tree from Mexican paper flowers and milagros (religious folk charms).
Sia85 lives in a small home and has no floor space for a tree. Instead, the apartment dweller made a tree out of lights and ornaments on the wall.
“It’s a great centerpiece in the living room,” sia85 says.
Cheggie had a similar idea. The Houzzer lives in a 645-square-foot home and says it engenders space-saving ideas.
JJ’s mother always had an upside-down tree, and the Houzzer is keeping the traditional alive. “This tree allows for ample seating,” JJ says, adding that Mom said the tradition “came from Europe and represents the Trinity.”
“We’ve moved onto our boat and don’t have an inside tree, but we have this light tree high on the fly bridge for all to see,” says noma.
“This year I used shards of wine bottle glass to decorate a hanging tree that is bottom lit,” says Jerry K.
“I am an artist, and our tree is always a reflection of my work,” he adds.
Nctp loves real trees, but this year a quick minimalist tree fits the house’s style.
Suzymoot is a gardener, and she has transformed a plant stand into a tree. “It suits our smallish townhouse comfortably,” she says. “The ornaments are handmade … or represent trips and favorite things.”
Mcmdecor found this metal tree at a flea market and had it painted black for Danish modern style. “I’ve never seen another one like it,” the Houzzer says. It’s become a holiday trademark for the household.
“When your house is under renovation and you have lots of leftover wood, try this,” says pchowder. “It’s a good memory of all the work and chaos.”
The piece was made with lengths of plywood mounted on an old broom handle.
The piece was made with lengths of plywood mounted on an old broom handle.
Oh, Christmas Theme …
Many Houzzers use the Christmas tree as a chance to display their collections. This is Cathy Bowen’s pink flamingo tree.
Many Houzzers use the Christmas tree as a chance to display their collections. This is Cathy Bowen’s pink flamingo tree.
From the lights to the ornaments to the tree skirt, her tree is covered with a flock of tropical birds.
Ragnrey didn’t provide much explanation for this tree, writing simply, “Oh, Christmas tree …” However, a look at the room where it lives says a lot.
The exotic animal print on the throw and pillow appear on the tree as well, which is decked largely with cheetah-print pieces.
Wendy Eidle went for a beach theme this Christmas, “to remind us of where we used to live,” she says. “We can’t wait to move back to the beach.”
It took jalarse two days to set up and decorate this tree, and three hours to set up the nutcracker collection. “My son was 7 years old when he gave me the first nutcracker for Christmas,” says this Houzzer. “He is now 37 years old and has given me one every year. I told him as long as I’m still vertical, keep up the tradition.”
Cbailie is proud of this peacock-themed tree.
And only a red and white tree would do for lola3947’s Coca-Cola-themed family room.
“After many years of collecting gingerbread men ornaments, gingerbread men stockings, gingerbread men people and collectibles, this is the tree we put up every year and await the arrival of Santa,” says megrassi.
Claudiaschlosser has composed an elegant tree with traditional German straw stars and glass ornaments.
After losing a collection of ornaments to a curious cat and a toddler, carolarrowsmith decided to make yearly themes for her Christmas trees. Last year she went for a natural look, with starfish, dried hydrangeas and grass plumes.
“It was the natural and personalized feeling I was yearning for,” she says. “Now, how to decorate this year’s tree?”
Paulette Crabiel Wahler has a Barbie Christmas. Her tree contains approximately 90 Barbie-themed ornaments.
Vylotte has a household with multiple trees, including this black one featuring childhood ornaments, Nightmare Before Christmas figures and Buffy the Vampire Slayer decorations.
The husband of itrydiythenusuallybuy surprised her with a Dr. Who–themed Weeping Angel tree topper. The winged figure, based on a race of creatures in the sci-fi series, presides over a collection of ornaments that include Godzilla and Batman. “We’re hoping a few more Dr. Who ornaments arrive this year,” she says.
New Home, New Tree
Many Houzzers are celebrating a new nest this year by putting up a tree. Jennyc123 says this is the case for her family. “This is my husband’s first ‘real’ tree, and I loved going to pick it out with him,” she says.
Many Houzzers are celebrating a new nest this year by putting up a tree. Jennyc123 says this is the case for her family. “This is my husband’s first ‘real’ tree, and I loved going to pick it out with him,” she says.
And here is their first tree, all lit up.
This is hmntafiel1’s first owned home, and the family is marking the occasion with a tree — a really big specimen. “Didn’t realize what we were getting ourselves into when we wanted a 10.5-foot tree! We are really loving it though,” says this Houzzer.
This is yperez0217’s first Christmas tree, but the reader was ready. “I had been accumulating ornaments for a couple years, and this holiday season I got to put them up. Couldn’t be happier,” yperez0217 says.
And Samia Z is christening her new abode with a Christmas tree dressed in silver. “I feel so ready for a silver-shiny life in this house,” she says. “Merry Christmas.”
Another first-time homeowner says a real tree is enhancing the holiday experience. “It feels and smells so cozy in there with my beautiful tree,” says 4939swensoa.
Crothschild123 has put up the family’s first tree in a new apartment.
Short and Sweet
Many of the Christmas trees shared are short in stature but possess immeasurable charm. “We didn’t have room for a full-sized tree this year, since part of our house is being remodeled, so we downsized to a cute little one on the mantel,” says Lindsay.
Many of the Christmas trees shared are short in stature but possess immeasurable charm. “We didn’t have room for a full-sized tree this year, since part of our house is being remodeled, so we downsized to a cute little one on the mantel,” says Lindsay.
Colourblindbutfine describes the family tree as small but cute — at least, we think that’s a reference to the tree. The same could be said of the young reader near the boughs.
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Beyond Red and Green
Some Houzzers, such as Patricia Pelgrims, are opting for unexpected colors on the tree. This is her tree last year, done up in turquoise and pink. She says she’s doing the same look this year but with more lights.
Some Houzzers, such as Patricia Pelgrims, are opting for unexpected colors on the tree. This is her tree last year, done up in turquoise and pink. She says she’s doing the same look this year but with more lights.
Houzzer chloefs has decorated her tree in the soft aqua tones of her home.
We suspect that when mspeaks35 described this hot-pink and blue tree as “simple,” it was a bit tongue-in-cheek.
Usmitly prefers trees with lots of color and homemade ornaments.
And it will be a (largely) blue Christmas in wired4speed’s household.
Classic Christmas
The holidays inspire a traditional look in many homes, including this one. Mariola says, “It’s such a lovely time of the year.” Her tree is vintage-card perfect.
The holidays inspire a traditional look in many homes, including this one. Mariola says, “It’s such a lovely time of the year.” Her tree is vintage-card perfect.
Justdale liked this classic tree so much last year, it didn’t see the curb until March.
Zeny Maninang’s tree is new, but the look is old-world.
Shortlisa puts up two traditional trees, including this one in the dining room.
She says, “I added the wide white ribbon this year to make it look like the Santas and snowmen are going downhill” on snow.
Jan Moyer has a simple recipe for Christmas tree decorating: “Load it up.”
Kathy Nguyen’s quiet tree is at home with the period architecture of her living room.
Elizabeth Grant’s former tree is proof that the traditional look endures. “We downsized houses and gave our 12-foot tree to our son and daughter-in-law, and she captured this picture of our grandson rearranging ornaments,” she says.
A vintage look was a comforting choice for jcmodern. “Heavy on the holiday spirit was mandatory after the most challenging 12 months of life to date,” jcmodern writes.
If your house is designed in the manner of an English pub, traditional decorating is a natural choice.
Oni77 says that Great Danes make glass ornaments unwise, so the family has decorated the tree with faux poinsettias.
This brings up an interesting side note. For many Houzzers, pets seem to be a big holiday decorating consideration. Suekat12 opted for a Scandinavian Christmas theme in honor of her late father, which particularly appealed to her feline.
“Everything red and white except for my cat, who wouldn’t get out of the tree,” she says.
Pmr56 chose a topiary tree, not just for its time-honored look but because of a cat. “She used to climb up my regular tree and sleep on the branches,” the Houzzer says. “Needless to say, the tree branches started drooping and I had to ditch it for a catproof tree.”
The culprit is seen here. We can only assume the barrier of presents and the urn base keep the feline off the tree.
Pmr56 decorates the tree with heirloom ornaments, some made by the family and some Christmas eggs purchased in Europe.
Collected Christmas
Many Houzzers have spent decades building a collection of Christmas ornaments. Take Springers in Deutschland, who has created what the family calls a memory tree. Every ornament signifies something special, and the collection includes handmade ornaments, gift ornaments, pieces picked up during travels and family keepsakes.
Many Houzzers have spent decades building a collection of Christmas ornaments. Take Springers in Deutschland, who has created what the family calls a memory tree. Every ornament signifies something special, and the collection includes handmade ornaments, gift ornaments, pieces picked up during travels and family keepsakes.
“We’ve been far from home and family for many years,” Springers in Deutschland writes. “Every year [we] look forward to putting up our tree. As we unwrap the ornaments that have been stored away, we are reminded of all the memories that are attached to each ornament and the love of and for our family and friends back home.”
Davidabbate decorates the tree with Christmas globes he’s collected from the different cities he’s visited during the year.
He also paints a lot of the ornaments with scenes that have inspired him. “My tree is very personal and beautiful,” he says.
HKO HKO says, “My tree is the same ever year. Ninety-nine percent are homemade ornaments collected over 40-plus years.”
It’s the same for ilenegraves. “Our tree holds 40 years of collected ornaments, many handmade and received from treasured friends through the years,” she says.
Before downsizing, Lee Johnston had an enormous number of ornaments. But when she and her husband moved, they gave most of them to family members, keeping just the most special ones. They hang them on the Scandinavian-style dowel tree Lee’s husband made. “Come Christmastime, I am slowly reverting to the Scandinavian way of doing things; less is having to become more,” she says.
Azponydriver describes the family tree as whimsical. This year it’s crowned by her late husband’s farm hat, which serves as a tree topper and a reminder.
But that’s far from all. In addition to some gifted pieces and purchased items, azponydriver has things that were never meant to decorate a tree, such as a pair of deer her mother used in a centerpiece and a toy wagon from a McDonald’s Happy Meal box. She says that acorns and candy canes are also a big feature. “[It’s] a tradition started when I was a dead-broke single mom, and $2 and some acorns would decorate the entire tree,” she says. “Somehow it all comes together in a tree made joyous by magic and memories.”
Nansdrew also has an eclectic tree, composed of ornaments she’s spent years collecting. She sums it up simply: “Great memories.”
Juke66 says the decoration and style of the household Christmas tree may change year to year, but one thing remains the same …
… “This tree topper has topped our tree for 29 years — the number of years we’ve been married,” juke66 says. “It was a gift from my mother. It was her Storybook doll when she was a little girl, and she transformed her into an angel. For me it is priceless.”
At the foot of the tree is Bella, the family’s dog.
Perhaps tile2014 has the largest collection. This 10-foot-tall tree is covered with 400 glass ornaments.
“The tree was inspired by an acorn ornament gifted by a very dear friend and a story about the first glass blown ornaments,” says tile2014.
Nhartwick has been collecting ornaments along with the husband for the 38 years they have been married. When they were newlyweds, the husband asked that no tinsel be used on the tree. But after nearly four decades, the tree is now shiny and sparkly.
“Our Christmas tree is loaded with ornaments made and collected over the years — lots of snowflakes crocheted by my mom, felt ornaments made when I was a teenager, Hallmark ones collected over 30 years and glass ones, too,” tikibwana says. “We feel it isn’t done until you can barely see any green tree!”
“I’ve collected a lot of ornaments over the years … favorites tend to be the ones made by hand,” says southernpointofview. “Everything from seashells collected from walks on the beach to small pinecones from the botanical gardens across from my first apartment.”
“My absolute favorites are the hand-crocheted snowflakes made by my great-great grandmother and the little red felt cardinals made by my aunt. She was a child of the Great Depression and remained thrifty throughout life. This is her 90th Christmas, and I always think of her when I put them on the tree,” this Houzzer says.
Karmenstill has also been collecting for many years, and her Christmas tree philosophy is “more is more.”
A White (and Metallic) Christmas
There’s a certain kind of person who marches to the beat of a different drummer boy at Christmas. We are talking about the souls who opt for a metallic or white tree. Phillipspenny calls this silver tree small but wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s a certain kind of person who marches to the beat of a different drummer boy at Christmas. We are talking about the souls who opt for a metallic or white tree. Phillipspenny calls this silver tree small but wouldn’t have it any other way.
Annkarnold inherited this aluminum tree from her mother-in-law. Apparently the whole family likes it, even the dog.
Dena Yocom chose a tinsel tree for a midcentury look in San Diego.
Flourish Design Elements created a mirrored stand for this silver tree, giving it a floating, luminous quality.
Catherine Shaffer layers gold ornaments on her gold metallic tree.
Emartina is trying out a flocked tree for the first time this year. So far the kids love it.
Apparently a white tree has the same appeal for the 3-year-old member of rkq903’s family.
Anthony Kawalski calls this look “electro anger,” but he must be happy with the mod look.
This white tree with colorful ornaments comes from barbra123, but she credits the idea to Houzz, having discovered the color-blocked look on the site.
Have more trees to share? Post them in the Comments below. And, as the man in red has famously said, merry Christmas to all!
Have more trees to share? Post them in the Comments below. And, as the man in red has famously said, merry Christmas to all!
“I built this tree this year so I can have something that was virtually free (the required bits — some brass wire and some spray paint — cost a big $11),” says Peter French. “It reflects the traditional dark green tree shape, holds my ornaments and … has its own rhythm.”