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Tuesday, December 1

Try One of These Unique Christmas Tree Themes!

If you're a bit bored with the traditional Christmas tree, then you might be interested in one of these unique themes. Here are some suggestions for Christmas tree themes that are sure to be real conversation starters!

   

The Christmas Cocktail Party Tree

This theme looks great on both big and small trees. First, if your tree is not pre-lit, try stringing it with a string of novelty lights instead of the traditional ones. You can buy plastic novelty lights in the shape of Chinese Lanterns (for a 50’s feel), chili peppers (for that modern martini bar feel) and Pink Flamingos (for that Tiki cocktail party atmosphere.)

Then try decorating the tree with tiny cocktail umbrellas and multicolored cocktail picks. If your tree is really big you could also decorate it with plastic champagne glasses into which you have glued sequins or glitter. Miniature chocolates filled with liquor also make nice tree decorations.

The Gingerbread Tree

This quirky theme is perfect for a house, or office, with lots of young children. It looks best on a green or red tree. Decorate it with gingerbread man cookies, red plastic balls, tons of candy canes, red velvet bows, and homemade paper snowflake ornaments.

This tree looks great accented with white or gold beaded garland, a bushy red or white tinsel garland, or icicle  garland. Top it with a Christmas themed stuffed white or brown teddy bear for an extra pop!

   

The Chocolate and Gold Tree

This is probably the trendiest of the themes described here. It looks great on a red artificial tree. The color scheme in this case is reds, browns, and golds. Tiny twinkling gold and red lights look best. Think of the eighties for inspiration when you decorate this one!

Decorate the tree with walnuts, pinecones, and chocolates wrapped in foil (gelt).  Then tie large, translucent gold and red ribbons, using the kind of ribbon that has bendable wire inside, onto the ends of the trees. The ultimate effect of this tree should be very opulent and lush.

The New Baby Tree

If you are celebrating the birth of a child or a child’s first birthday, this is a great tree to honor how happy you are about the new arrival in your home. The decorations look great on any kind of tree, but you could consider buying a small blue or pink artificial tree. This is a good idea so any toddlers or infants around can’t get ahold of any shed needles. Also, if you buy pre-lit artificial trees, then you don’t have to worry about them yanking lights and pulling the whole thing down.

Pink, mint green, lavender, and blue frosted balls look particularly nice on pink or blue artificial trees. You can also decorate these trees with baby toys, baby bottles filled with candy, teddy bears, baby booties and socks, pacifiers, and wooden alphabet blocks. Little stuffed animals look great on this type of tree, and a larger teddy bear or soft plush toy makes a great tree topper.

The Peppermint Twist Tree

This most minimalist of themes looks fantastic on a bright white, pre-lit artificial tree. The color scheme of this is red and white, but you can add a touch of green in the lights that you string around it. Purists are going to think that keeping the whole thing red and white in every way looks best.

When it comes to the decorations, stick with red and white balls. Festoon the branches with as many red and white peppermint candy canes as you can find! Remember that you can also stripe red or white balls with white or red glitter by simply adding some glue in a striped shape to the ball and rolling it in the glitter.

You can also accent this look with red and white ball shaped peppermint candies. A large lollipop with red and white striping and surrounded by a sunburst bouquet of candy canes makes a great tree topper.

  

The Seaside Tree

Personally, this is my favorite theme, and it looks best on artificial trees in aqua or light blue colors. However it would also suit any tree that has a coral color, such as light orange or pink.

This tree is decorated with treasures from the sea including seashells, sea horses, and ornaments made from aquarium decorations (treasure chests, coins and corals.) Strings of pearls can be used as a garland, and novelty lights shaped like seashells or even fish can be strung to enhance the aquatic theme.

The Snow and Ice Tree

This theme is white and icy blue, instead of the more familiar red and green. Decorate it with a garland of novelty lights shaped like icicles or snowflakes. Your decorations should be made of see-through plastic or crystal so it looks like the tree is dripping with frozen, glittering shapes. Instead of cotton batten, drape the tree with faux spider webs to simulate boughs heavy with snow. You can even mound this cotton at the ends of the bough so it looks like it has been clumped there.

Your final step is to spray the whole thing down generously with flocking. Flocking is simulated snow that comes in an aerosol can. You can spray this stuff on just about any kind of tree including artificial pre-lit trees to make them look frostier.

This treatment is stunning on a white artificial tree, but it also looks great on red, purple, blue or other artificial trees as all of the white provides a nice contrast to the tree’s original color.


Are you more of a traditionalist, or will you give one of these a go?  Which is your favorite?

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