Well, one year I bought a whole bunch of those little dollar store type of artificial trees, Michael's has a better quality version, they usually have a burlap wrap at the base and they go on sale after Christmas. I bought about 4 dozen. Then I bought the little strings of battery operated lights and any tiny ornaments I could find, made some too. Made tiny garlands for them and loaded them with decorations that I glue gunned on. Put them in tiny terra cotta flower pots. My sister crocheted little tree skirts for them out of tiny doily patterns. I put tiny styrofoam packages underneath them and put the battery holder for the lights, in a painted wooden box that I paint to look as a present. These are a great size for Christmas villages but are also wonderful for anyone that is in a nursing home or hospital or elderly people that live in tiny apartments and such. So anytime we knew of someone that missed having their own tree, I would send them one. They come in handy for people that are too ill or feeble at Christmas time, to decorate. So I still have about 20 done and a huge supply of new ones and decorations and light packs and such to do more. I found little nativity scene figurines for a few of them and made wooden stables out of balsa wood and these can be placed at the base. I weigh down the flower pots with glass pebbles and cover the top of the base with craft or quilting batten.
They are a nice size because they can be placed on a night table without taking up much room. I have a cousin with MS that can no longer put up a tree but with this, all she needs is to change the batteries and every year I mail her a huge package of them so she can leave it lit for as long as she likes. My elderly aunt has hers in her bedroom and it doesn't matter if she forgets to turn it off, I always send extra batteries to her ever year.
I have a garden window where I set up a Christmas village so I put a tree in the centre of all three shelves with the houses surrounding it. Looks really pretty with a small glass mirror underneath reflecting the light. Haha, when you said you would like a tree in each room, it reminded me how easy this would be to do with these, drive your hubby nuts, haha!
I made some for my niece and nephew's children being careful that the decorations were age appropriate and they love the fact they can have their own trees in their bedrooms. I decorate in the favourite colours of whomever the tree is for.
Hugs Squirrelly
Heehee, well I have to admit, it is a lot of fun for me to do. Imagine getting to decorate all of those trees, haha and not having to undecorate them afterwards! I don't do any two the same way, so it doesn't get boring. I have a 5 drawer plastic storage unit filled with tiny decorations and my hubby buys more everytime he sees something different.
Hugs Squirrelly
They do sound like fun to do except I wouldn't have the room to store them! I have so many other hobbies that I have trouble finding room for them. My MIL taught me how to crochet so that's been my new thing. I would need my own room for all my crafts!.....Something to consider when we move! 
They do sound like fun to do except I wouldn't have the room to store them! I have so many other hobbies that I have trouble finding room for them. My MIL taught me how to crochet so that's been my new thing. I would need my own room for all my crafts!.....Something to consider when we move!
Heehee, that is why we didn't downsize when the girls went on their own, haha, more room for my craft stuff. Now if I could only move hubby out to the storage shed... Nah, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly
Here in Germany we use a real tree with candles. The tree goes up on Dec 24th and Christmas is celebrated on Dec 25 and Dec 26 (2nd Christmas Day). The tree and nativity stays up until Epiphany-the day of the Three Kings (Jan 6).
We light candles on the Advent Wreath (made from real greenery) on the 4 Advents before Christmas.
My first year in Germany my (now) MIL rang the Christmas Bell to call everyone to the family room for the tree lighting. (It's a huge event here, everyone waits around until the bell is rung, then they are allowed to go into the room where the tree is...for the "unveiling" of the tree and the candle lighting. Well, to my amazement there were sparklers on the live tree, and she lit all of them. There must have been 50 sparklers on the tree. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It literally was breath-taking. But afterward all I could think about was 'how in the world did the wood floor or area rugs not catch on fire or get marred by the glowing embers...and how did the tree not go up in flames' lol.
But, afterall, the Christmas tree was invented here, I guess they know what they are doing. And BTW, they also invented the first artificial tree as well, using goose feathers. Neat, huh?
Anyway, this year for DH and me it is a little different. We put up our tree on Saturday. I needed a little spirit lifting, so we decided to decorate our tree together...awww. But, its only a little bitty thing, like 3ft tall 
That sounds lovely, a tree with sparklers! The finest glass hand-painted ornaments came from Germany also, oh-oh will saying that get me into trouble, haha! Just beautiful decorations!
You will always remember your 3 foot tree and the moments you spent decorating it together, you just made a Christmas memory to cherish!
Hugs Squirrelly
It's up already....... in fact I put it up yesterday, but starting the friday after thanksgiving we decorated our yard.....I was told to take pictures at night so I could send a pic to my brother in law in Colorado.... he knew I couldnt wait to decorate since I couldnt do so the last 3 years!
It's up already....... in fact I put it up yesterday, but starting the friday after thanksgiving we decorated our yard.....I was told to take pictures at night so I could send a pic to my brother in law in Colorado.... he knew I couldnt wait to decorate since I couldnt do so the last 3 years!
Ooh, three years of pent up decorating, must have felt good to decorate! Good for you!
Hugs Squirrelly
It's up already....... in fact I put it up yesterday, but starting the friday after thanksgiving we decorated our yard.....I was told to take pictures at night so I could send a pic to my brother in law in Colorado.... he knew I couldnt wait to decorate since I couldnt do so the last 3 years!
Ooh, three years of pent up decorating, must have felt good to decorate! Good for you!
Hugs Squirrelly
Oh yeah for sure! here's a pic! Pic not too good since the flash lites up things more....and I couldnt get all our lights in the picture but oh well. So far our neighbors and of course us, have the most lights up in this part of housing area....
OOh, that is lovely, very nicely balanced too and so pretty! Santa will find you for sure!
Hugs Squirrelly
Here in Germany we use a real tree with candles. The tree goes up on Dec 24th and Christmas is celebrated on Dec 25 and Dec 26 (2nd Christmas Day). The tree and nativity stays up until Epiphany-the day of the Three Kings (Jan 6).
We light candles on the Advent Wreath (made from real greenery) on the 4 Advents before Christmas.
Yeah I remember those!!!! What day is St Nicholas eve I forgot and would like to do that here since for the last 3 years my boys were putting their shoes out>...
So, if you have big feet, does it pay off for once in your life, says me, a size 9?
Hugs Squirrelly
Oh yeah Squirrelly!!! We use to put out wooden shoes (dutch) I was the youngest mine were always the smallest!!!! and everyones got filled to the brim..so you do the math!!! hehehe now they are size ten wish we still did it!!
LOL
I love these traditions. Hhmn, should start a new one, get a pair of those hip-wader fishing boots, now that would be something!
Hugs Squirrelly
all the past years i always put up the tree 1 week before thanksgiving but this year we just moved into our first new home so i had the tree up 2 weeks before i could not wait, i drive my friends crazy about x-mas decor. i start talking about it in july of all the things i want to do. i take mine down after 01-06-05 cause of a spanish holiday that is on that day which is the day of the three kings...
shaddi
I always start listening to Christmas music around July or August. Costco even has decorations for sale in July & I've been known to buy some. 
I HATE to take down our tree & decorations. 
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!
I don't put the tree up until after my youngest's birthday (13th). I have everything but one counter decorated already, I need that for the birthday party. Even without the tree you can tell it's Christmas time, I have garland and stuff everywhere.
St Nick day is the sixth so the eve is the fifth. We started celebrating it when I was in the first grade, we lived in Germany for two years, and I still do it with my children. They told us about it at school and we came home and told our our parents, it was a way to get more candy and stuff 
. I also use the day as an excuse to take a cake to school for my oldest and to make one for home.
So, if you have big feet, does it pay off for once in your life, says me, a size 9?
Hugs Squirrelly
ah squirrelly....my feet are a 10! 
I don't put the tree up until after my youngest's birthday (13th). I have everything but one counter decorated already, I need that for the birthday party. Even without the tree you can tell it's Christmas time, I have garland and stuff everywhere.
St Nick day is the sixth so the eve is the fifth. We started celebrating it when I was in the first grade, we lived in Germany for two years, and I still do it with my children. They told us about it at school and we came home and told our our parents, it was a way to get more candy and stuff
. I also use the day as an excuse to take a cake to school for my oldest and to make one for home.
cool.....cant forget that!
My tree is going up today....that's late for us. It's my first real tree ever. amy
I have a friend that puts the tree up December first but will not decorate it until the kids are asleep. I used to do that, until I had 2 more, now its just too much to do that night!
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