Last year, I had a foodie-themed tree. This year, I cannot decide. We’re going to chop down our own Christmas tree tomorrow.  When I say we, I mean Phil.  The elves and I plan to watch and cheer as he heaves and hos.  Phil’s not much of a social person, except when he’s around people.  That is, he doesn’t like making plans, especially plans where I plan a party, because inevitably he ends up having to do stuff.  "Everything. I end up having to get involved in everything, even if you say you’ll be taking care of it." So if I bake cookies and ask him to taste them, he’s involved. I roll my eyes and know he’ll come around, as he always does, after putting on his pout. And once people are around, he couldn’t be more social and hospitable. So, go figure.

We’ve been lighting the candles and singing our prayers with the tots.  I’ve started to sing them the Adam Sandler Hannukah songs before bed each night.  And tomorrow there will be a tree.  We’re making our own traditions and honoring the ones we both grew up with.  On Christmas Eve there will be seafood.  I don’t know about seven fishes, but I’m going to try to get close.  We’re not Italian, but my first cousins are, so I grew up with that tradition.  It’s part of who I am, even though I’m not Italian.  And to me, that’s what this season is about.  Coming together and carrying on traditions of our past, and lighting new ones along the way.  I’m so thankful Phil is accepting of these things.  In fact, he’s the one who researched the "Cut your own tree" place, an hour from our home.  He’s even gone ornament shopping with me, since all my childhood ornaments were lost.  So now we’re creating a new tree style.  And I’m a Libra and simply cannot decide which way to go with decorations, style, and theme.

I’ve posted about themes before.  But now I’m more into color.  Clear twinkle lights are playing it safe.  Make a kick-ass tree with multicolored lights?  I don’t know how it’s done, unless you go the traditional red, green, and gold route.  So I’m returning the colored lights and going safe and clear, adding color with the ornaments. 

THE PREPPY HOLIDAY TREE
At first I thought I’d make a preppy tree, all pink and green, with bright plaid ribbon and bows. THE FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL TREE
Then I was swayed with the idea of silver and a deep purple, chandelier pieces and velvet bows. I’d need another color, like orange or lime green in there, an accent color. I try to keep a color scheme to 4 colors: 2 main colors, an accent color, and then your sparkle color. That said, I simply cannot make up my mind, so I’ve purchased everything my eye has been drawn to, keeping receipts, hoping to construct something we’ll all love.  The trick is coming up with something the kids will love for the years to come, too.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP TREE
I love the old world toys look, pine cones, navy, burgundy, hunter green plaid, but there’s nothing bright on that tree. It’s basically a nature tree, and um, given that trees are actually, you know, nature, might be a little too understated… unless, however, there’s a toy train with lights and steam, running around the base. I love this idea most because it reminds me of my childhood tree, with its wrapped gifts color coordinated with the colors of the tree decor.

Not Lenny Kravitz funky
We’re definitely going with the silver/funky theme.  Pine cone people funky.  Though I have noticed that I’ve purchased quite a few knitted sparkling sweaters and felt skater girls, even a few strappy shoe ornaments. 

FASHION BARBIE TREE
Oh how I’d love to deck the new mantle with fashion-forward Barbies! I might just have to work a few into the tree or room somewhere.  I still love to love Barbie.

I hope to one day have enough time to create my own ornaments from fabric and tassels, but it will never ever happen.  Because when I do have that much free time, I’ll fill it with other things.  I just will.  I don’t have time to be icing cookies to hang on a tree.  I wish life could be just one big crafts project class, where all you did was learn new things, try new things, and get your hands dirty.  I love to play. 

I’ve been looking for tree inspiration in magazines and blogs (and looked back at my photos from last year) and haven’t found ANYTHING!  Just one good tip, to put small silver ornaments in toward the trunk of the tree to really make the tree light up and reflect lots of light within.  Any other tips, please add to the discussion. Anthropologie ornaments above were my first purchase.  Below are some others…