Themed Christmas Trees

[Ellene Meece]

What is your tradition? Do you pull out all the ornaments from the past every year...or do you go with a theme and mix old with new collectibles?

Barbara Crews, excellent author for About.com Collectibles, personally decorates several themed Christmas trees each year. Here's a peak at her NYC tree, loaded with all kinds of collectibles...some traditional, some not so much! :)

What's your favorite tree?

[Ellene Meece]

American Pride Christmas Theme Tree

Let your true colors show by decorating your Christmas tree in patriotic red, white, and blue. The all-American look adapts well to December or July!

Editor's Lights Tip: Watch ads closely for the best sales on Christmas lights as it gets closer to tree decorating time, and be open to where you shop for Christmas lights -- the hardware store, grocery store, and crafts store are all good places to get your lights.

[Ellene Meece]

Crafty Christmas Tree

By BHG

"Forget fancy! Decorate with handmade Christmas ornaments for a homey, cozy Christmas tree. Colorful candy cane, wreath, and snowflake ornaments crafted from pipe cleaners and animal ornaments made from Perler beads pop against the subtle white lighting. A multicolor beaded garland looks like a candy necklace against the evergreen and adds simple sweetness.

Editor's Lighting Tip: Mix and match your Christmas lights. Highlight a background of white or clear lights by wrapping the outer limbs of the Christmas tree with strands of colored lights."

[Ellene Meece]

Retro Santa Tree!

Christmas Delight by Raining Rita

[Ellene Meece]

BHG Creative Christmas Tree Themes

Black-and-White Silhouette Christmas Tree

Use old-fashioned framed silhouettes in a fresh, updated way -- as Christmas tree decorations. Hang them on the tree with green ribbon, then embellish with silver mementos and sprigs of faux white berries to complete the classic look.

Editor's Lighting Tip: Match the color of your Christmas lights with the color of your ornaments to create a classy, monochromatic look for your Christmas tree

[Ellene Meece]

This year, I am doing a themed "tea party" Christmas tree using my tea cup porcelain ornaments and other related tea party items. I'll get photos soon...

[Ellene Meece]

On the topic of themed trees, here's my little "tea party" tree...

[Ellene Meece]

This LENOX - HOLIDAY COFFEE TEA & ME ORNAMENT would look great on my tree this year...with the tea party theme!

This LENOX - HOLIDAY COFFEE TEA & ME ORNAMENT would look great on my tree this year...with the tea party theme!

[Ellene Meece]

So...my theme this year was a photo tree. Not at all vintage or antique or collectibles...but warms my heart with seeing my family who all live far away.