Yes, we are not even close to Thanksgiving; however, now is the time
when I have to start the Christmas tree decorating process and planning.
Did you know that I absolutely love decorating Christmas trees?
It was not uncommon for me to have a tree in every room in the past
when I had a lot more time on my hands.
However, I still come close and last year I decorated many,
so I thought that I would take you down memory lane
for some Christmas tree inspiration.
For many years, it was a tradition that a group of us
would hit the after Christmas sales. . . getting great bargains of items
from 50 to 75% off of truly beautiful Christmas decor.
The above trees, house and angels were all on sale. I pretty much go for the 75% off!
Last year, I made a new vignette using that sweet house and all things silver.
The trees on the mantel in the background were also deeply discounted at the same store.
I carried the white, silver and gold theme throughout the Great Room last year.
The white glass trees on the silver tray also were on super sale (from the same shop).
Now, with the Berry Patch house Great Room being of a different look and color scheme
I have had to search for new pillows to go with the color of Blush.
White sparkly ceramic trees simply grace a table of blue and white in the room.
I so love these Santa “foodies” ….
I had gotten away from having a tree in the kitchen, but when I saw this cute fresh tree
at the garden center last year, it had to come home with me and it was perfect for the kitchen.
You can see my Great Room Flocked Tree in the background above.
Here were some glimpses of the dining room tree
that I decorated to coordinate with my MacKenzie-Childs Holiday table.
A tree simply decorated with ribbon, pom poms, candles, and pearl picks
that I lightly flocked myself!
We traveled to Bryson City, NC to take the Polar Express train
with our Sweetie years ago. The next day, we went to a shop in Franklin, NC
and they happened to be having a great 50% off Christmas sale….
so into my arms this tree went. It sits in-between the chairs in the former Media Room.
I minimally dressed the Media Room for Christmas that year. Actually I ran out of time! 🙂
This fabric tree was made by my dear friend, Ruth. I treasure all of the things
that she made for me. Such treasured memories come flooding back especially around
Christmas, as we so loved decorating our homes together and trying to come up
with a homemade gift to make for each other.
Funds were limited way back then when we were young stay-at-home moms
busy raising our families. Actually the Santa in the background was the
last gift we gave to each other….to each other? Yes, it seemed like we gave each
other the same gifts many times!!!!
I simply dressed the Media Room mantel with my wooden trees.
It was hard to decorate that mantel with the large TV above it.
In the Great Room was this beautiful Snowy Flocked Christmas Tree.
My Memory Tree last year in the Sunroom was filled with hundreds of special
ornaments from family, friends and travels.
Last year’s tree in the Master Bedroom, My Christmas Blush Tree.
was decorated in blush, white and bronze tones. I love the way it turned out.
And last but not least. I placed a 9 foot tree with changing LED lights
in the Guest Room. It had been a long while since I put a large
Christmas Tree in the Guest Room.
As I look back at these photos of the various trees that were in my previous home,
I think, hmmmm, no wonder I ran out of decorating time! 🙂
But it was all worth it!
So now, I struggle with the fact of, should I go all out for Christmas as I have in the past?
Or not. . . since we are in a temporary living situation waiting for our house to be built?
My thoughts are that I will go forward and decorate the Berry Patch House
as we will be spending the Holidays there with family and friends … and I just love
being surrounded by the beauty and spirit of Christmas.
So I shall end this post with what I have been doing.
i have been sitting in the bleachers watching my “Boy of Summer” play baseball….
baseball…not softball … playing in the Roy Hobbs World Series.
He plays many positions, but I took a pic of him pitching. You can see the “Green Monster”
in the background of the Jet Blue Boston Red Socks Training/Facility Stadium…
It is a beautiful stadium.
Yes, my “young at heart” with a big heart hubby…. loves playing ball.
I wish you a most beautiful day doing the things you love with the ones you love!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Note: There is still time to enter the Nora Murphy’s Country House Style
book giveaway to one lucky reader. To enter click HERE.


You do have the decorating gift of creating beautiful trees. My fave of yours so far is the flocked tree in your great room last year. Just stunning! Looking forward to this year’s looks.
Just beautiful and I love all your trees and inspiration Shirley! I have a hard time picking a favorite but I think your blush tree is a thing of beauty and so soothing and tranquil for a bedroom. It must be bittersweet looking back at your previous home but I know you will deck the halls in your usual style at your rental while you’re in transition. Love the shot of you hubby pitching. ♥
Beautifully done. Each tree is unique and lovely.
Such beautiful Christmas tree inspiration this morning! I’m getting excited to decorate for the holidays. Since, I don’t host Thanksgiving, I think I may get started next week. I’m going to borrow your idea about putting a tree on the kitchen island. I have a couple of different blue and white pots I could use. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!!
Hi Shirley, I love all your Christmas trees from your other home….and I, too have a blush tree in our master which is so peaceful, and beautiful. The Captain does not mind it at all which is a good thing. You are doing a great job with your temporary living until your forever home is built…I am afraid I would still be living sparsely with everything still in boxes until the final move. I don’t like unpacking and re-packing! LOL
I couldn’t help but note the Jet Blue Boston Red Sox Training Facility with your hubby pitching. That ball park is not too far from us here in the Cape and we love to go to ball games. (Our KC Royals, used to have their training facility in down town Ft. Myers, altho now they go to Surprise, Arizona)
Have a great and beautiful day.
Kari @ Me and My Captain
Shirley, you never ever disappoint! Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I get excited each time I see your posts containing your Christmas decor and creativity. Whether it is a throw back from Christmas past or current decorations, it is always beautiful and a pleasure to view. Thank you for bringing ideas and sharing the magic of this season and your home.You’ll never know how many ideas I have borrowed. Last year’s adding ribbon to the tree tutorial was especially helpful. I had tried it several times in the past but never fell in love with the look. However, after your coaching, I was pleased and hooked. What compliments I received! As I decorate this week, I am visiting the archives. Thanks again. You bring such joy and pleasure to my day.
You make me want to start my holiday decorating Shirley! I have no plans so far this year, I guess I will just see what happens! You are a dedicated baseball watching hubby fan, so sweet!
As a military wife (retired hubby now)I learned to make a home wherever you find yourself. That includes celebrating Christmas! You always do such a superb job of decorating for my most favorite time of the year and you are such an inspiration. Can’t wait to see what you come up with, I know it will be spectacular! Then we have the exciting prospect of seeing your new forever home when it is completed. I can hardly wait…like a kid on Christmas Eve!
This was such a beautiful post, Shirley. The flocked tree last year was GORGEOUS!!! I am sure you will be decorating, it just wouldn’t seem like Christmas if you didn’t! BTW, I have a question: how much did you decorate when you lived in Fl. I find that so many people (weel relatives and their friends) don’t want to be bothered decorating in Fl. I CERTAINLY would decorate if I lived there. Just curious as to what you did. XO and hope you are having fun with the “boys”!!!
I love the Christmas Blush tree……..never thought it would call my name, but it does. That’s what I love about blogs, you often see things that normally wouldn’t fit in your box. Of course I love them all. My other favorite was the Patriotic tree this summer. Not Christmas but it too called my name. Thanks for sharing
You never cease to amaze and inspire me Shirley! Your trees, and home, all are gorgeous, but more importantly I can see that they are designed and created with love from your heart. I love that you are decorating your “temporary home” too….and look forward to seeing each and every beautiful nook and cranny. xoxo Lidy
Shirley, you are the energizer bunny! I enjoyed seeing all of your amazing trees from last year. I could not choose a favorite, they are all different and stunning. I love that you have made your rental a welcoming home and I am sure your Christmas decor will be just as pretty as ever. Oh, that shot of Tom enjoying what he loves is so special?
So fun to see all of your beautiful trees from last Christmas! I love the sun room memory tree as it is so colorful and filled with memories. That is one of my favorite things about decorating my tree…reflecting on where each ornament came from, whether special friends, family or trips. Now I have a real predicament as my husband wants colored lights like we had years ago!!!! Love that your “boy of summer” is still playing ball in November!
Just by looking at these pictures, I can feel the inspiration to decorate coming! You truly have a gift! I think the Christmas Blush Tree is my favourite, it’s very delicate and makes the room feel very cosy. I prefer artificial trees, even though storing and maintenance could be a challenge sometimes. That’s why I always leave enough time for cleaning before moving to decoration.