Today I’m sharing my woodland-inspired Christmas tree decked out with red and rustic Christmas tree decorations!
Welcome to Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas! I can’t tell you how much I love participating in this series each year. Honestly, it’s one of the things I look forward to the most when the holiday season rolls around. Not only do I get to share inspiration with all of you, but I get to team up with some of my favorite bloggers. Be sure to check out all of their Day 1 projects at the end of this post.
Also, if you’d like to join us in this 12 Day adventure, we’d love to have you. If you are inspired to recreate anything we make, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #12days72ideas. We can’t wait to see what inspires you!
Technically, I’m cheating on today’s post because I’m sharing a tree I decorated back in October. It turned out super cute, and it is a Christmas tree after all so I hope it’s OK to post about it. Please know that I also will be sharing some techniques and unique touches that you can use to make your tree extra special. Sound fair?
Woodland Inspired Christmas Tree with Rustic Christmas Tree Decorations
I started with a standard green tree. (This one here.). I always think it’s wise to invest in a quality tree. Not only will a good tree last for years, but you get what you pay for. You want a full tree so you can’t see through it. Realistic branches are also always a plus. I opted for the pre-lit variety because it saves so much time.
Whenever I’m decorating a tree, I like to begin with a ribbon. Ribbon offers a bit of a backdrop for your decorations. It also helps to fill up the tree if you happen to be light on ornaments. I chose this thick black and red gingham flannel. I could spend all winter in a shirt with this pattern, so why not wrap my tree in it?
For this particular tree, I opted for an “Into the Woods” theme. Although the tree bears no resemblance, the theme was inspired by the movie of that name that’s coming out soon and Taylor Swift’s new song. (People, you have to take whatever inspiration you can get wherever you can get it, no questions asked.)
As much as I love traditional ornaments, it’s always fun to think outside the box when it comes to Christmas tree decor. (Donna of Funky Junk Interiors is the queen of unique tree trimmings.)
These red lanterns are the perfect non-traditional ornament! Not only do they go with the tree, but you can put smaller ornaments, battery operated tea lights, or other treasures inside the lanterns.
I also found an inexpensive Christmas village, so I just tucked several of the houses right inside the tree.
Lastly, I picked up these adorable woodland creatures (a.k.a. squirrels) and added them as well.
I then threw on some traditional ornaments to fill in anywhere things looked a little sparse.
Finally, to bring my “Into the Woods” theme home, I added some icy red berry picks and a few snow covered pinecones.
What to see more Christmas Trees? Check out these:
- Navy Blue Christmas Tree
- Flocked Christmas Tree
- Rainbow-Inspired Christmas Tree
- White Flocked Christmas Tree in Gold and Green
- Rustic Modern Christmas Tree
With that, my tree was complete! Colorful, warm, and cozy. I think it turned out pretty well. What do you think?
See how the other 12 Days Bloggers are decking their halls.
Front Door Christmas Decorating from Shanty 2 Chic
Branch Candle Centerpiece from Funky Junk Interiors
Blue and White Christmas Decorating from Thistlewood Farms
Advent Calendar from Songbird
Colorful and Crafty Printables from Remodelaholic
My Christmas trees have always had ornaments handed down by my Mother. Some of these ornaments were brought over with my Dad and Mom moved away from their homeland, Cuba, to Miami, Florida in 1954 with me as a 1 and a 1/2 year old child. Mom, Dad and I added more ornaments from special places and special occasions. Some are of my handiwork while growing up, one is my father’s first shoe as a tiny baby in 1928, one is my first shoe in 1953, and we have Mom’s little infant hat knitted by her grandmother, my great grandmother. Also added recently were ornaments made by my son at school, in Cubscouts, and in Boyscouts. These are all handled with extreme care and repackaged every year. This year they will not be hung up on a beautiful living tree because my mother of 88 and I will be going on a road trip that was planned with my 25 year old son in the summer. We are going to Pasadena, California, to fulfill another of my mom’s bucket list items: she wants to see the New Year’s Rose Bowl parade in person and visit other places in Southern California as well since we have never been there. Everything is as planned except for one thing: my only child, my precious son, Adrian, will not be with us physically, though I earnestly pray and hope spiritually he will always be with us. My son was savagely murdered in cold blood in his apartment in Orlando, Florida, October 16, 2014, in a ribbery. My life has ended, my joy and happiness gone, but I am going on this road trip as we planned, in honor and tribute of his short life and adventurous spirit and love for us. Pray for justice for Adrian.
Our tree is a combination of vintage ornaments that remind my husband and me of our childhood Christmases and ornaments our own children made during their childhoods! I look forward to putting it up every year!
The homemade ornaments or ones with funny memories make my Christmas Tree the best! I have some happy meal ornaments of Disney characters from when I was a child… how coold.
The thing that makes my Christmas tree special is all the ornaments my children have made.
Hello,
The Christmas tree at my house is special because it is my first Christmas with my new husband in our new house. I loved decorating it together with him. My mother and I made some of the ornaments ourselves with pine cones and plaid ribbon and twine that look great. It adds an extra special touch to our already special tree.
Ashley
I signed up for the e-mail list!
The thing that makes my tree so special is that my younger sister and I always decorate it together, it’s nice to make those memories with her!
I love everything about this tree, I’m totally inspired to do one like it next year!! Our tree is special because we have an ornament from all the trips and family vacations we’ve taken. Each year we take them out and talk about the trip! Our tree is full of precious memories!
Every year we add one new ornament for each family member. A few years ago, my son chose a Christmas pickle we found at the Dollar Tree. It had a legend that you are supposed to hide it in the tree and on Christmas morning, whoever finds it first gets to open a present first. He is a teenager now, and he still loves it. LOL
Our tree is special because of the people around it and not by what is under it. Even though some years we have had little or nothing to go under our tree, Christmas is still special because of who we have sitting around the tree with us singing Christmas songs and enjoying each others company.
I obsess over cute ways to be creative but also create things on a budget that are just as beautiful. I am transitioning from traditional boring christmas decor and feeling so inspired by your lantern/ribbon/christmas village tree! I would love to recreate that look in my home with my newer modern farmhouse style I have created.. and I think my 4 and 6 year olds would love it too! Got my tree last night hope I win the Target card to start my new tree look :)!!
Jas
Carmel, IN
I am so glad I discovered you. I’ve added myself to the mailing list
I love Christmas so much that I did themed trees in every room when my son was just a few weeks old . This year I have to keep it simple because we are about to move but I am going to do my best to be festive. My now 3 yr old is getting into the Christmas spirit with me!
Our tree is wonderful because it has every handmade ornament that my children ever created.
Just signed up for your emails!
I love your ideas!
Our tree is special because it’s full of ornaments from my childhood, as well as those of my parents.
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The ornaments I’ve saved from my childhood make my tree extra special!
It’s a lovely tree Michael. Definitely evokes a Cozy Woodland theme. I created a Woodland Theme Christmas tree last year and it makes me so happy. I get so many compliments on it. I definitely want to bring in some red next year with my tree. P.S. Love the tree skirt as well. Thank you for your inspiration and your terrific blog.