Whether you’re Team Real or Team Faux, putting up a tree is often the signal to family, friends (to yourself, even!)…it’s time. It’s the holiday season…cue Mariah.
For those of you who opt for real trees, you may be cutting that beauty down soon, or at the very least, making a stop at your favorite local tree supplier. The rest of us are digging through a year’s worth of storage to locate our fine, faux varietal. If you haven’t checked out faux trees lately, you are missing out. Many look strikingly real, and with the cost of cut trees skyrocketing, a faux tree will justify its price tag in only a few years. Many come pre-lit, too, which also saves the age-old headache of National Lampoon’s style light-wrangling.
Then it’s time for the fun part. At Collected, we were downright giddy over curating a selection of tree-trimmers to make any holiday heart happy. Mix and match plaid with mercury glass, add a touch of wood beaded garland, and maybe a spray of holly. Get whimsical with little bears or snowmen. If you stick with one color palette, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Make sure to place those larger ornaments first…they work well to fill in any bare spots on your tree, and if you nestle them on the inside, they give depth to the whole arrangement. Then gild the lily: switch out plain twine hangers for velvet ribbon. Add pine cones. Bells. Feathers. Let your inner maximalist stretch a bit.
Don’t forget under the tree! A fur tree skirt immediately brings all the cozy feels. Add some rattan trees nearby. A few reindeer. A basket of blankets. No reason to wait for Christmas Eve for under the tree goodies.
Get to it! Happy holidays!
