Of course it's not a perfect frasier fir, but I think that makes it all the more charming. This year's tree was quite a bit smaller than last year's so that made it easier to handle and decorate.
Last year at a local antique store we found three boxes of old ornaments for only $0.25 per box, so we snatched them up. We like to go with lots of the same ball ornaments on our tree and wanted to switch it up from the red that we normally do, so these were perfect. They were gold originally, but due to their age (maybe 15 years old?) some of the gold had rubbed off and left a nice patina effect.
I wanted to use a different tree skirt this year, too, as our white glittered skirt didn't really fit the theme I was going for. I remembered a couple of burlap bags I bought at the feed store a few months back just because I love burlap sacks and they were only $1.50 each. I tried them out on the base of the tree and decided it was a go. We normally use colorful retro bulb lights on our tree, but I wanted to go with plain white this year. I got a couple boxes of lights for only $2.50 each and strung them up to complete this year's tree.
A couple more shots just for fun...
When added all up, the total cost of this year's tree came out to a whopping $8.75! I love a good deal, especially during the holidays.
Do you decorate your tree the same way every year, or do you like to switch it up?
~Tammy
Shared with Handmade Christmas 2013, Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop, Rural Thursday, Repurposed Ideas Weekly, Old Time Party, Lavender Garden Cottage, Barn Hop Holiday Edition, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Farm Girl Blog Fest
Thanks for showing pictures of your tree! I like the white and gold with the fir and rustic burlap...it's a nice contrast. We tend to decorate the same every year with small changes here and there. One year our tree fell over and smashed quite a few nice glass ornaments, but it gave me a reason to pick out a few more. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh I just love your tree!!! That was a steal getting those ornaments for that cheap. I had received a whole bunch of nice gold & silver ornaments from someone on Freecycle a few years back, but we use our "eclectic" mix of ornaments instead (that mostly consists of homemade ornaments from the kids and ones we've picked up along the way during our travels).
ReplyDeleteI love your tree!!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up - we lived in town; Dad hunted and he'd take us out into the woods. Being in Fla. it was all "scrub oaks" and we'd have to cut down 4 or 5 little pines and wire them together to make one. They were still scrawnie - but once you added decorations, lights, long silver icicles and your star - it would be the most beautiful tree ever.
your tree is inspiring me. since we move home last year and this year again I don't remember what we have to decorate (don't know if my mother remember where they're stored either) but I would love all lights white. our cats usually climb the tree. they miss Nature. congratulations on your beautiful tree :) xxo
ReplyDeleteI love the rustic simplicity!!
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy, I am a new follower, I love your sweet blog! Your tree is charming and I love that you did it so frugally, too. I really like the photo of your reflection in the Christmas tree bulb, and your little kitties. Hope you have a nice week. xx
ReplyDeleteLOVE your tree! It's simple, elegant and rustic all at the same time. We have our tree up but not decorated yet, I need to get on that ASAP! I love that your tree is from your own property- how neat!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic! And it's funny that the cats found a way to get to the water, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your tree. :)
I love your tree and your sense of frugal. It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the cat on the piano bench with the tree in the back round and the twinkling lights It is beautiful. B
What a charming tree indeed! I agree with Megan^, it's elegant and rustic all at the same time :)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is a natural beauty...! Just a little sparkle to add the season's magic is all she needed! Lovely and frugal! We do our tree's a little differently each year. I collect( blown glass ) Old Fashioned Christmas Ornaments so it's always a treat to add to our collection every year...They even have chickens and roosters which I am definitely adding this year!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet...I love it! We are looking forward to putting up our decorations soon too...we wait til just a week before Christmas to get our tree...a tradition here. Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteThat is my kind of tree, simple yet elegant! Love the idea of the burlap bags for the tree skirt! :)
ReplyDeleteThe tree, and cats are totally beautiful but I'm having a hard time seeing anything but that vintage looking globe. OMG. I'm in love! I've been on the lookout for a perfect vintage one forever!
ReplyDeleteJanie x
Jane - I searched for the perfect vintage globe forever, too, and found this one for only $5 at a flea market! One of my favorite finds ever.
DeleteJEALOUS!!! It is a cracker, and urges my hunt ever forwards :)
DeleteVery pretty and elegant tree! Cheers
ReplyDeleteCarole
Tammy! hi! what a cute kitty? i had a Siamese once but she got left outside in the early autumn, cool nights and she caught a cold and died. :p not good. i love your pursuit of a real tree. you go girl!!!!!
ReplyDeleteand ...thank you for following as a newest follower! awesome! you won't regret it = promise.
Your tree look beautiful, I always love the decorated trees and lights. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove the look! Simple pleasures...
ReplyDeleteSweet tree, Tammy.. And a good price.. smile..
ReplyDeleteI generally switch it up some but always use our first ornaments form 42 years ago..
Sweet and simple! Your cats are cuties.
ReplyDeleteFarmhouse hugs,
Cindy
Simply beautiful! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It looks great! And great deals! I guess we change it up every year, because MY KIDS do all the decorating and you never know what they're going to do! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of your tree, it's so charming! I like the shot of the ornament with your reflection, too! It's kind of fun to see cats reactions to a new tree in the house.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Glad to hear you are enjoying the holidays!
ReplyDeleteThe white lights and gold balls look awesome! I love switching up my tree every year. I guess that's why I have so many Christmas items. I can't get rid of them because next year I might want to use them. I'm all about getting decorations at the thrift store or using natural things.
ReplyDeleteI love you tree. I like simle themes the best. I do change my tree up a bit about every three years or so. I did not have the time to change my theme this year. I have been too busy with my grandchildren. But I will watch the after Christmas sales and pick up some new decorations for next yer. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks lovely (and better still cost you almost nothing!) We probably won't put our tree up until next weekend, as this weekend I will hardly be home as Miss L has dance shows and rehearsals on both days! I'd love to go for the simple, one colour scheme, but the kids will want to put every decoration we own on it! I have to just take a deep breathe and let them go for it!! S:)
ReplyDeleteGreat find on the ornaments - they look perfect on your tree!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful tree ~ love all your creativity ~ gold ornaments, burlap bag and simplicity ~ Love your beautiful cats ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
ReplyDeleteVery festive and so nice to be able to cut a tree from your own property! I have a "plant a living Christmas tree" kit that has been sitting on my office shelf for a while now, your post has inspired me to take it down and plant it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
~Rob
I love it! Simple, frugal and beautiful! The cats are loving it too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog (Mommy's Magical Mountain). I love your little tree. It's simple, yet perfectly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is adorable, and your cats are so cute! We change up our decorations every year too, at least a little bit. This year I want to do and all red and gold theme. So happy to guest hostess this week's Sweet Saturday :) It's up and running on my end: http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/2012/11/sweet-saturday-chocolate-chip-banana.html. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteTammy! hahaha! your comments were what i dreamed i would see/hear. THANK YOU! and ...remember Y O L O , *chuckles*
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful tree! I love EVERYTHING about it and your decorations. I'm going to have to show my daughter. She was just lamenting that we don't have anywhere to go and cut down our own tree. She will love this too!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Tammy, I love your style. The tree is beautiful and I adore those ornaments! We let the girls pick an ornament out every year and put the dates on the bottom so that when they are older they will take them to their own homes. Eventually, I'm hoping to have some beautiful vintage ornaments as well. Love the tree skirt too !
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely! It's even more special because it's from your land. My tree is basically the same every year. I make a few subtle changes, usually because my girls drop all of the ornaments and we have to find news ones. ;)
ReplyDeleteTammy I love your precious tree and those ornaments the color is beautiful. I am your newest follower. Please come back anytime to Hibiscus House we would be so glad to have you.
ReplyDeleteDolly
Your tree is completely charming!
ReplyDeleteThe tree is lovely- I love the simplicity. Nicely Done!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures!!! I'm your newest follower from "Sweet Saturday" blog hop - this is my blog if you wanted to follow back: godsgrowinggarden.com
ReplyDeleteThanks
Angie
The burlap skirt?! Swoon!
ReplyDeleteTammy, I have highlighted this post over at Hibiscus House for the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop. Thanks for such wonderful posts.
ReplyDeleteDolly of Hibiscus House
http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/2012/12/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-86.html
I agree, this tree is quite charming! I'd switch my tree trimmings up each year if I found ornaments as cheap as u did! But until then.....same year after year.....
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteWe always cut a tree from our own woods when I was a kid! I miss those days. I would love to have you share this on Wildcrafting Wednesday! It will be live on my blog tomorrow at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/
What a lovely and meaningful way to decorate your tree. We cut our tree from the woods every year, too. Thanks for linking up on Wildcrafting Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesday! Please stop by to vote for our People's Choice Awards from Wednesday the 26th through Jan 4th at:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/
Wow!!! what a frugal tree. I liked it very much. Thanks..
ReplyDeleteVisiting this blog is our real pleasure. Should like to thank for sharing such a useful information.
ReplyDelete