So, after calling Mr. Hughes to see if he minded terribly if we didn't do a big, real tree this year (I think his exact words "do I mind not having to lug a large tree in the house? No") I decided to do a tabletop tree this year. Did I mention that there is a table that I want to refinish just for this purpose? Did that have anything to do with the decision? Probably. And, that is why I am feeling a little guilty. I almost feel like a bad Mommy for taking away a large, glowing, shedding, tree.
But, I am going to go over the top on the other unreachable decorations... think the store that Buddy the ELF decorates. I love, love, love paper snowflakes, so I will be making quite a few more of those. And, we are planning on getting a live tree that we can plant in our yard later. And, I will do a big tree again when Baby Hughes gets old enough not to bother it and decorate it.
I thought I would leave you with a few photos of tabletop trees... Martha did not disappoint! Here is an entire article on the subject.
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens
The last two photos are from one of my favorite places, Scarlett Scales Antiques. If you are in the Franklin, Tn area you have to go here. If you can't make it, visit her blog.
I am still putting off decorating until after Thanksgiving, especially now that I have a table to refinish!
Go with the table top tree I say!! We've had them since having kids, they will be 4, 3 and 2 this Christmas and we were contemplating getting a big one this year but I just envisage hours of pulling kids out from under it, ornaments being chucked across the room, my youngest eating the branches...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...I've really been wanting one of those all white trees. Maybe I can justify it if it's only a tabletop size! Thanks for the good pics :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Michelle! I know yours will turn out lovely! :) After my Christmas post earlier this week, I began thinking about our tree...I'm not so worried about Emma it's the cat that's causing me to fret...she likes to climb trees. SO...now I have to think, think, think and come up with a plan! :) Have a great weekend sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Rachel
I think a table top tree sounds great... I have done them a few times or to as well. I did it when we had a new puppie and for the girls also. I know whatever you choose will be nice. I can't wait to see the table, have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteSheila
I have concidered a table top tree for this Christmas, also.. My little lady (18 months) sounds just like your baby, I have taught her "No Black Handles" since all of our 'sharps' have black handles, and she's starting to get it. Let us know how you make your paper snowflakes... You know I have never made one? Eek?? Did I really just admit to that??! :P
ReplyDeleteI don't have little ones, but I used small trees on the seat of the bay window in recent years. With limited floor space for a standing tree, it is the perfect solution. I actually have three small trees of various heights and it looks like a little forest of trees in our window. I hope you post a photo of your tree. The paper snowflakes sound beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely to hear that you have a real tree. I can't have anything else. They smell so gorgeous. My children are grown up now but I always had a 7 foot tree and we had cats then, but somehow, the tree always remained standing and none of them pulled things off the tree.
ReplyDeleteI just love the Martha Stewart trees and hope we get to see yours. I think that it will look really special with the paper snowflakes. The baby will love it. XXXX
Yay to the table tree!
ReplyDeleteMy kids never bothered the tree, even when they were little. It is Jingles, the cat, we have to worry about. She loves to swat the dangly balls and then chase them around the living room in the middle of the nite. Loving all the tabletop trees. Good luck with refinishing your table! :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous trees! I fell in love with that woodsy country picture and that big ol fat tree.
ReplyDeleteOne year I had a nearly naked tree because my son at the time kept yanking on it. There were only decorations on the top! It was one weird lookin' Christmas but a much safer one. :)
Donna
Hi there! For the last 6 years I've had a small tabletop tree and I've really enjoyed it. It is white with white lights and pink and burgundy and silver decorations. Turns out very pretty. Also have as tiny lavender one for my bath...
ReplyDeleteCynthia K. (Beauty and Blessings)
I totally remember those days. Ornaments strategically placed, just out of reach. The entire bottom of the tree looking bare. My kids are older now, but I love the look of a table top trees so much, I bought one last year. Now we use a big tree and a little tree. It's gonna look great on your table.
ReplyDeleteI too have done the smaller trees in the past - sometimes more than one so I can have different themes. Much easier to dispose of too after the holidays. -amy
ReplyDeleteEureka, Baby Hughes is part kitty cat! Our cat does the exact same thing, minus the knife business. But she's working up to that, I can see it in her beady little eyes....
ReplyDeleteXO,
Anne
Very pretty and I love the shop you added the link to. She has beautiful things.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for including my shop in your blog! You are so sweet. It was great to see y'all the other day.
Sincerely,
Scarlett
Just amuse baby Hughes with all the colors and lights!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your inspiration and have the merriest of holidays!
I only did a tabletop tree last year - primarily because there are no live evergreens for sale in Brazil, but also because I sensed the same temptation to my toddler.
ReplyDeleteI won't put one up at all this year - we're going Home for Christmas!
Oh my...I'm having the same dilemma this year. Our son crawls faster than lightning and pulls up on EVERYTHING! I've been going back and forth on what to do about the tree. Decorate it half way up?? That will look silly. Lights only? That's no fun! And the bottom line is...Hudson will still want to crawl under it and grab the branches and whatever else he can think of. Table top tree is a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration...now I just have to sell it to the Hubby. :) Can't wait to see pics of your tree.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of table top trees!!! I think they are so charming!!
ReplyDeletexo,
LuLu
Hello sweet Michelle - it's like you took my thoughts right out of my head! Just the other day I was thinking about getting a table top tree this year instead of a big floor length one. But hesitating because I too felt like a bad mama for not having the fattest tallest tree in our tiny living room! But after seeing your photos of the fabulous table top trees, I'm not feeling guilty any more. I have to do it. And I like your idea of doing more decorating in other ways like the snowflakes. Do you have a tutorial for them? Do they hang from the ceiling? Details my friend, details.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com