Christmas Tree Blog Hop
Welcome to Cottage On Bunker Hill if you are popping over from Shelley’s tour from Calypso In The Country Thanks to Stacy from Bricks ‘N Blooms for hosting the Festive And Fun Christmas Tree Blog Hop today.
Who else was ready to put up your tree in October…raise your hands??!! Maybe it’s because we are all so over 2020 or maybe because we are spending more time in our homes this year, and crave that cozy feeling, but it seemed like Christmas started early!!
Like I wasn’t the only looney in the Christmas aisle of Walmart grabbing ornaments in my shorts and sandals for once!
Speaking of Walmart…that’s where everything on my tree and even the actual tree is from. My old Christmas tree had seen better days and half the lights weren’t working anymore. (it’s enjoying a new life out on my Christmas Front Porch)
Shopping For A Tree
I have a small living room and I knew I wanted a showstopper of a tree…but didn’t want to spend a zillion dollars on one.
I had a mental picture of a winter wonderland in my head (surprising, because I really don’t like snow even though I live in New Hampshire!!).
what to look:
- number of branch tips
- pre-lit/ no lights
- light count
- diameter
After doing my research, I ordered a beautiful one from Walmart (it’s sold out…I told you back in October to get moving!!). It is a pre-lit flocked 7.5 foot tree that has over 2,800 branch tips and 500 lights. Which basically means it is very full and the branches have a realistic look to them.
Setting Up My Winter Wonderland Tree
I’ve had friends ask how to make their trees look better and the secret is taking the time to fluff out all the branches. You can’t just pop the tree on the stand and throw a couple ornaments it’s way and think it’s going to look like a magazine…I wish!
See how misshapen the tree looked when I put it up. My son thought he was being funny and put the lone ornament on and stated “All set!”
It did take awhile to fluff and make each branch tip full. It’s totally worth it though!
My advice is to keep standing about 10 feet away from your tree and look to see if you spot the middle pole…you want to make that invisible!
Add Ribbon
After my tree was fluffed…I took a nap..LOL
No, it was time to add some ribbon. This is the point you could add garland as well. I love the look of the wood bead garlands but my day job is running a small daycare and there is something about garland that kids looooove to yank at!! Ribbon isn’t as much fun to pull I guess.
Looking back, I wish I had grabbed every roll of this ribbon at Walmart! It’s the most gorgeous blue/gray with a tan wired edge.
There are quite a few ways to add ribbon to your tree. For me, I cut the ribbon into 18 inch pieces with fabric scissors.
Starting at the top of the tree I tucked the top edge of the ribbon into the branches, then the middle part of the ribbon, and finally hid the end in the branch tips. Going in a slightly angled direction.
It took 3 rolls of ribbon to do my tree.
Add Ornaments
To go with my Winter Wonderland Christmas tree theme I wanted to add snowy and frosty feeling ornaments to the tree. Over a couple of months, I found all the ornaments at my local Walmart…they were all beautiful and better yet all under $2.
Start by putting the largest ornaments on the tree first. Then go back and fill in with smaller bulbs and ornaments.
Plug It In
Time for the tree collar…and plug in the lights!!
Do you think anyone will come cleanup my mess while I catch the end of this Hallmark movie…
Enjoy!
Oh, there is always something that makes me feel better when I have the Christmas tree on! My neighbors must think I’m nuts when I turn the lights on at 4 am when I get up!!
Wishing You And Your Family The Happiest Of Holidays!!
be sure to visit all my friends on the tour! if you are following in order mansa at this is simplicite is next.
Wait Until You See These Amazing Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas!
Bricks ‘n Blooms // White Arrows Home // The Ponds Farmhouse
My Thrift Store Addiction // Down Shiloh Road
Dabbling and Decorating // The Tattered Pew // J Dub By Design
Simply2Moms // Blue Sky at Home
County Road 407 // Shiplap and Shells // Follow The Yellow Brick Home
The Flowering Farmhouse // My Wee Abode // Calypso in the Country
What a beautiful tree. I’ve never managed to get a ribbon on my tree – it just never looks right but I’ll be pinning this post to try next year. Thanks so much for your great instructions.
Thank you Carol!!
Your tree is gorgeous! I love the ornaments you used and the tips for adding ribbon.
So fun hopping with you. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much Amber!!!!
Oh Jennifer your tree is just gorgeous! I have a flocked one from Walmart that I absolutely love too! Yours is a bit prettier though, but you can’t beat that price, right?! I love your color scheme and tree collar. I pinned it for inspiration! Merry Christmas!
Oh, Thank you Kelly!!
Your tree is gorgeous, Jennifer! Next year I’m going to head to Walmart in October to see what great things they have before it’s all picked over.
Be like me…the looney on the 90 day with the ornaments and winter picks in her cart!!!
It’s a beautiful tree Jennifer! Love the ribbon you used and the ornaments are perfect too. So fun touring with you! Merry Christmas!!
Thanks!! I’ll be sad when I pack it up this year!!
Your tree is so beautiful! I can see why you loved that ribbon! So classy! It all looks so amazing on the flocked tree.
Thanks so much Kristin! I’m still moving into your cabin to film my Hallmark movie!!
Your tree is gorgeous. I am still searching for a 7.5′ slim tree with lots of colored lights–not flocked. I agree that “fluffing” the branches is the first thing to do–especially if it is an old tree with a tendency to look like a Charlie Brown tree! They are all so beautiful when decorated and lit. I, too, love the tree all lit up when it is dark!
It’s crazy how fast the trees sold out this year! Even the Christmas tree farms around me are all sold out! Check out King of Christmas for a tree; I saw they have big discounts now and have slim trees.
Your Christmas tree is absolutely amazing Jennifer. Seriously! I really need to decorate my tree with ribbon next year, it really does make a difference. Thank you for the amazing inspiration. This was fun!
Thanks so much Kim!! I love the simple look of ribbon but then I see all the trees with the wood garlands and I love that too!!
Your tree is beautiful and I agree with the fluffing! It really does make all the difference. Walmart has some great finds this year. Your decorations are so pretty and I love the owls! Great hopping with you!
Cheers!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley!!
Your tree is beautiful and I agree with the fluffing! It really does make all the difference. Walmart has some great finds this year. Your decorations are so pretty and I love the owls! Great hopping with you!
Cheers!
Shelley
The owls are my favorite this year too!!
Gotta love kids – LOL. My son has done the same. I love your tips, those fab ornaments and how beautiful your tree is! I’ve never done my ribbon like that but am putting in on my list to do next year. Enjoyed hopping with you. Merry Christmas!
I think the only reason my son came out of his man cave was to see what I was making for dinner!!!
Jennifer we had some of the same owls. Aren’t they just the cutest. Happy holidays🎄. Pinned🙌🏻
I’m in love with the fuzzy owls!! I wish I had grabbed a couple more!! Do you ever see the snowy owls when you are up in York? They are spotted from Rye down to Plum Island but I didn’t know if they winter up your way too…they are beautiful!!
We’re Walmart twins, Jennifer! LOL! Trees, ornaments, and all… even the color! They are pretty amazing shatterproof ornaments, aren’t they? And such a pretty color of winter wonderland green! Love touring with you, and your tree looks amazing!
Walmart is my ride or die!! I can’t get over how much some of them look like glass!! I used some bigger Walmart bulbs on my front porch and I had to open the box in the store to see if they were glass or plastic!!
Jennifer,
Your tree is stunning. Loved how you shared your decorating tips. So happy to be sharing on the tour with you today.
Rachel
Thank you Rachel!! I’m still dreaming about your flocked tree with the red ornaments!!
Gorgeous tree! I love how you did the ribbon. I couldn’t agree more that there is somethingabout the christmas tree being on. I turn it on first thing in the am! xoxo
Thanks Stacy! Coffee and my tree on a Monday morning enjoying a few minutes of peace.
Beautiful tree. I love all the ornaments you chose. And being an early riser myself, there is nothing better than sipping my coffee and admiring the tree.
I’m doing that right now Jen!!Although I really wish I could make it until at least 4…I never adjusted to the time change.