Oh Christmas Tree

Welcome, Everyone, to the last official November Christmas post! 🎄✨ I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing this with you today—it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I couldn’t be more excited! One of the greatest joys of the holiday season is setting up the Christmas tree. At our house, we go all out with not one but two trees to spread the holiday magic!

Before we begin decorating I want to invite you to our annual Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop which will take place Tuesday, December 3rd. Hope you’ll join in the fun as 15 creative ladies share their creative Christmas tales with you. Now on to the tree.

Today we’re decorating our  Dining Room Tree, perfectly placed just off the main hallway that leads from the front door to the Great Room. It greets everyone with festive cheer as they step into our home, setting the stage for holiday gatherings and special moments.

The air is buzzing with holiday excitement—let the season of joy and togetherness begin!

This tree stands tall at 7.5 feet, pre-lit for a magical glow that sets the perfect holiday mood. Of course, when it first comes out of the box, it’s quite squished—a little TLC is needed to “fluff” the branches to their full, lush glory. Then comes the light test, and I’m happy to report that this year everything worked beautifully (what a relief!).

Once the groundwork is set, it’s time for my favorite part—adding the ribbon! I love to switch up the ribbon design every year; it’s such a simple way to make the tree sparkle and keep the decor fresh and exciting. It’s like giving the tree a new personality each Christmas!

This year, I dove into my ribbon stash and selected three different ribbons of varying widths to adorn the tree. Inspired by the elegance of a traditional Victorian Christmas, I chose ribbons in shimmering gold and a muted red and green checked design edged in gold. Each ribbon had wire edges, which made bending and placing them on the tree a breeze.

Using varying lengths of ribbon, I secured them by wrapping tree branches around each piece. The effect was stunning, adding depth and richness to the overall design. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out—it truly brings the magic of Christmas to life!

The ornaments on this tree are a true celebration of Victorian charm, each piece steeped in history and storytelling. Nearly all are vintage or collectible treasures that harken back to the era when Christmas trees first became a cherished holiday tradition. Did you know that it was Prince Albert who introduced the custom to England from his native Germany after marrying Queen Victoria? This beautiful practice quickly captured hearts and became a staple of holiday celebrations.

One highlight of my collection is the Kurt Adler series of ornaments inspired by A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Each ornament is exquisitely detailed and brings the story to life. For example, the first picture features the little goose boy—the character Scrooge pays to deliver a goose to the Cratchit family on Christmas Day. Every piece in the series tells a part of Dickens’ masterpiece, making them a joy to include on the tree.

The tree also sparkles with blown glass ornaments, imported from Germany, just like those used on the first Christmas trees. These vintage treasures shine brilliantly, reflecting the glow of the lights and adding a touch of timeless beauty to the tree. I love how their radiant colors and delicate craftsmanship evoke the magic of Christmases past.

One of the most delightful additions to this year’s tree is a set of handmade Tinker Toy stars! I recently found some original wooden Tinker Toys at a thrift store, and my husband had a wonderful time crafting them into beautiful star ornaments for the tree.

These charming decorations bring a heartfelt, nostalgic touch, invoking memories of a time when ornaments were lovingly handmade and cherished for years. They add a playful, rustic element to the tree and perfectly complement the vintage and Victorian theme. Each star feels like a little nod to the creativity and joy of simpler times, making the tree even more special this year. 

Choosing the perfect tree topper this year was a breeze! 🦚 Perched proudly at the top is a vividly colored peacock, a special birthday gift from my daughter. Its vibrant hues and regal elegance make it the ideal crowning touch for the tree. The peacock also ties beautifully into the festive spirit of The Twelve Days of Christmas, where birds play such a central role in the song’s joyful imagery.

Just below, you can spot another favorite ornament: Scrooge throwing open his window on Christmas morning. This moment symbolizes his transformation and newfound appreciation for life and generosity, a story so perfectly suited to the holiday season. Together, these elements bring a sense of whimsy, tradition, and meaningful storytelling to the tree, making it truly magical.

This tree truly captures the heart of Christmas with its delightful mix of storytelling ornaments, shiny blown glass treasures, and handmade creations. Each ornament contributes to the whimsical charm while staying rooted in the beauty of tradition.

The storytelling ornaments bring beloved tales to life, like A Christmas Carol, filling the tree with meaningful moments and festive cheer. The vintage blown glass ornaments, with their radiant shine and delicate craftsmanship, echo the splendor of the first Christmas trees. And the handmade touches, like the Tinker Toy stars, add a nostalgic warmth and personal connection, invoking memories of holidays long ago.

Altogether, this tree is a celebration of tradition, whimsy, and the joy of Christmas past and present. 🎄✨

This tree is bursting with color and special touches that make it truly beautiful! 🌟 One of my favorite details is the crocheted snowflake you can see in the last picture. These lovely snowflakes were handmade by my sister-in-law, Carole, for my first Christmas as a married woman. She made a set of both large and small snowflakes, and they’ve graced our tree every single year since—a lot of years now, LOL ❄️

Carole, if you’re reading this, thank you so much for these treasured gifts—they still hold a special place in our hearts and on our tree. Their delicate, handmade charm continues to bring warmth and nostalgia to our holiday celebrations year after year. 💖

To complete the nostalgic charm of our tree, we added a homemade wooden train, which perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas magic. This pretty large train carries Santa’s reindeer along with an abundance of presents, ready for his magical journey on Christmas Eve. As it wraps around the base of the tree, it serves as a sweet reminder of the joy found in simple, handmade treasures—just like the ones we lovingly add to our tree year after year.

The train’s cheerful presence brings a sense of wonder and whimsy, adding a playful touch that ties everything together beautifully. It’s these small, heartfelt details that make this tree so special and full of love. 

You can see the whole tree here. This is what it looks like in the daytime.

Here is the tree when the sky darkens and the lights on the tree shimmer brightly.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
For every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us such joy and glee
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me

The Victorians had it right when they decorated their first tree and passed the tradition down for all of us to enjoy. Happy Tree Decorating!