Did you guys all have a great Halloween? I sure hope so!!
Now that Halloween is done I’m already switching gears onto Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of you may have seen in this post that I was asked to take part in Michael’s Dream Tree Challenge this year, and let me tell you – it was definitely a challenge, but a FUN one!
As I tried to think of a theme and colors, I kept thinking that I just needed to decorate a tree that I would love. With that in mind, as well as a desire to make it a little more creative and interactive, I made an Advent Christmas Tree.
I love how much this tree captures my personality and style. I LOVE Bright, Fun and unique things, and I think this tree shows that. π
I also though that making it an ADVENT Tree would be a great way to make it more interactive and fun for the kids. I mean, who wouldn’t want to come and pick off a number each day leading up to Christmas that has CANDY on the backside? π
Here are more pictures and details of this tree….
I made several items to match my tree and reflect my personality and style.
The first thing I made were some Christmas Word Plaques…
CHRISTMAS WORD PLAQUES
Here is what you’ll need to make them….
- Wood Plaques from Michael’s
- Scrapbook Paper
- Mod Podge
- Ribbon
- Glue/Staple Gun
1. Begin by tracing on the back side of your paper the front of the plaque. Cut it out.
2. Paint the sides and a little bit of the front of each plaque.
3. Add your scrapbook paper to the front by applying a thin layer of mod podge and pressing it on really well.
4. Cut 2 pieces of ribbon and tie a knot at the end of each. Add them to the back of the plaque with super glue or a staple gun. To measure the center I marked the middle and then made a mark two inches on both sides of the middle. That it where I stapled the ribbon in right above the knot for each piece of ribbon.
5. Flip it over and tie a square knot (right over left, left over right) so that the knot is in the center of the plaque.
6. Hot glue your letters on the front. I found these silver letters in the scrapbook section at Michael’s and with one package did the words:
JOY, WISH, GIFT, NOEL
I also scrapbooked some Paper Mache Ornaments from Michael’s…
SCRAPBOOK PAPER MACHE ORNAMENTS
Here is what you’ll need for those:
- Paper Mache Ornaments
- Scrapbook Paper
- Mod Podge
- Foam Brush
- Circle Cutter or Scissors
1. Begin by painting the sides and a little bit of the front of each ornament. Let dry.
2. Trace on the back of scrapbook paper the circle of the front size. Mine was 3.5 inches (I know they carry different sizes). Cut out and mod podge to the fronts of the ornaments.
SIMPLE and CUTE, and they match the tree perfectly!
The main part of my tree was to make it an ADVENT TREE, by adding numbers. I thought it would be a great way to make it interactive as well as unique. I love seeing the numbers all over the tree, and I think the kiddos will have a blast counting down the days to Christmas with them. π
Here is what you’ll need to make them:
- Number Prints (available for download below)
- Paper Sacks
- Washi Tape
- Clothespins
- Christmas Treats
Download your Advent Numbers by CLICKING on the image above. It will take you to a PDF to download. Print and cut out each number.
I filled my little sacks from Michael’s with the candies. I put 3 in each one, so each kid could have a Christmas Kiss each day. Then I used washi tape to add that to the back of each number.
From there, I attached it to the tree with some Glitter-y Clothespins found in the Scrapbook section of Michael’s.
It was super easy and made the tree more fun. π
I think we’ll also add Christmas Scriptures to the back of each number to read as a family every night leading up to Christmas to remind us of the True Reason for the season. π
More than anything I love that this tree fits right in with our home and is so bright and cheer-y. I had taken RED out of our home decor color scheme when we moved here, and knew there was no way I could keep the red out for Christmas decor, so I’m glad to see the color back in our home.
I’ve had a few friends see the Tree that say “I want a tree as pretty as that!” (which is such a compliment), and I think, “You can!!” It really isn’t hard to decorate a tree that fits your style and personality that is also beautiful! Here are some tips to help you decorate and style YOUR Dream Tree:
- Think of a theme or style that fits YOU and YOUR HOME.
- If you want your tree to fit in with your home, use colors that are already incorporated into your home’s decor.
- Make ornaments yourself that reflect your personality and style
- Begin decorating your tree by using the fillers. Then add ornament balls in your matching colors, and top it off with any other ornaments or pieces that you want to be seen front and center.
- If you really want to stick with your theme, gift wrap your presents in coordinating colors. I did 4 since I have 4 kids and wanted to show how I will be wrapping each kids’ presents in the same gift wrap so they know which ones are theirs (since only 1 can read).
- Once everything is on your tree, take a step back and see if there are open spots that need to be filled. Fill those with any extra ornament balls or snowflakes.
I’d really LOVE to hear what you think of the tree!!
I hope you like it, and I hope you enjoy getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas in the coming month. π
For more Christmas Inspiration be sure to check out:
For all Christmas posts go HERE.
For a Scripture Advent idea go HERE.
For a Service Advent idea go HERE.
ENJOY!
BEHIND THE SCENES AT LILLUNA.COM:
I LOVE this shot. Just shows how crazy things are at our house, with Christmas in the forefront and Halloween in the background. The kids were so confused and weren’t sure which holiday it was, lol!
Love the bright, cheerful colors, Kristyn! What a fun theme for a Christmas tree. And the behind scenes shot was totally awesome!
Yay for confusing the kids on which holiday it really is. π
I love your advent tree. Such a fun idea to actually have the numbers on the tree! And your behind the scenes shot is hilarious, haha! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Of course, Amy! SO glad you like it. π
jen took a behind the scenes shot just like that. too funny. love your tree. and love how you included the advent on there.
Too funny!! You guys need to post the behind the scenes shots – those are my favorite!! Whose house did you guys put the tree up at? It turned out FAB!!
Kristyn, the tree is fabulous. I love the bright colors, the theme of Advent and the plaques. It’s a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. The kids will look forward to taking a number off each day. Best of all, you’re way ahead of the rest of us with your Christmas decorating!
Thank you, thank you, Sara!! I do admit it’s nice to have the tree done!! Now just need to take down all the Halloween decor still. π
Love this tree and all the bright colors on it. ~ Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa!! I’m SO glad you like it. π
Haha! LOVE your behind the scenes shot with your Halloween mantel! I absolutely love your tree and the idea to make it an advent theme…genius!
Thank you so much, Kari!! Beckie did such an amazing job with hers!! SO fun to get in the Christmas Spirit a little earlier by decorating these trees. π
That is a great idea!
Thanks, Holly!! It was so fun putting together. I think the kiddos will get a kick out of pulling a number off each day.
I love your tree! Great ideas too!
Thank you so much, Kristin. I’m so glad you like it. π
Absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to share on my facebook page.
Thank you, Trixy!!
It’s so colorful–right up my alley!!!!
I definitely LOVE color and wanted to make sure the tree was colorful. π
I love it!!! Huge project – wow!! It turned out fabulous!
Told ya it was kinda crazy around these parts. π
You amaze me! This tree is GORGEOUS! Love the bright cheery colors! The Halloween Decor/Christmas Tree behind the scenes is great! lol! Have a great weekend! Smiles, Jill
Thanks, Jill!! Hope you have a great weekend as well. π
Fun idea-my kids would LOVE this!! Love the bright colors.
Thank you, Carli!! π
Great, great tips on how to style a tree. I really struggle with allowing all the kid’s ornaments, and old junky ornaments just taking over the tree. Also…I love that you include the “behind the scenes” photos–of your Halloween stuff. I like seeing that you are a real person!
Thank you, Nancy!! If I’m going to be honest, I also struggle with putting up all the old and handmade ornaments too, but I’m going to let the kiddos use one of my smaller trees to decorate (with their ornaments) to put up in the playroom. They did that last year and LOVED it. They get to decorate a tree, and my tree can stay more uniform. π
Great idea. My kids would love a tree in their playroom!
Thank you, Nancy! π
First let me say the tree is beautiful. Second beyond the tree the pillows on the chair caught my eye. Third love that Advent and Halloween come together in your home quite nicely.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Oh my goodness! I am in love with this tree. Thank you for the inspiration! I am pretty sure I will be using so many of these adorable ideas to decorate my own tree this Christmas! You are theeeeeeeeeeeeeeee best! π
Thank you, Michelle!! SO happy to hear you like the tree and some of the ideas used to decorate it. XO
I fell in love with your tree!!! It would be exactly what I would have. I love the bright colors and the plaques. It really is beautiful!!!
Thank you SO much, Crystal!! π
I love your tree!!! What a cute idea to put the advent on the tree. So fabulous!!
xoxoxo
Thanks, my friend!! XO
Oh I just love your tree!! It’s got to be my favorite from this campaign so far! Thanks for the inspiration; I can’t wait to see what else y’all will be up to this Holiday season!
Erin
http://www.theviewfromfiveten.com
You’re so sweet, Erin! Thank you so much for the compliment. I sure had fun putting it together. Can’t wait to share some more Christmas projects in the coming weeks. π
Such a unique and creative idea!!! I love it!
Thanks, Miss Amy – so glad you like it. π
Your tree is beautiful! I noticed you mentioned adding scriptures to your advent tags, and I thought you might be interested in a couple of scripture advents I’ve posted on my blog.
For 25 scriptures showing gifts Christ has given us, go here: http://fhelessons.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/25-gifts-christ-gives-to-us/
For 24 scriptures which each reference a different Name of Christ, go here: http://fhelessons.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/names-of-christ-advent-gifts/
Merry Christmas!
WOW! Thanks for the links, Laura – I’m definitely going to use them!! XO
Love this so much! So so pretty!! Love the idea of an advent calendar. You are so creative!
Awww, thanks, Jamielyn!! You’re so sweet!! XO
This is a beautiful tree! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. I’m so glad you like it. π
First of all…I love your tree! That last shot…priceless! Ha ha! Love it! Great job!
LOL. Thank you, Shirley! Just shows how crazy things are at our house… all.the.time! π
I love it! Thanks for sharing your tips π
Thank you, Carey! Hope the tips help. π
I love your bright fun colors and the creativity you put into your tree. Beautiful! π
Thank you, Roeshel! I LOVE bright colors and love that it fits right in with my home decor. π
Your tree is BEAUTIFUL!! I love the advent calendar idea! π
Thank you SO much, Katie! I had so much fun decorating it and contemplated taking it down but have decided to leave it up – it makes the house so festive and bright. π
I love the advent theme you used for your tree, and the bright colors!
Thank you, Heather! The advent part really makes it more fun for the kiddos so I’m glad we’ll be doing it this year.
What a cute tree, I love the bright, cheery, fun feeling. I love the words too! How fun to put the advent count down on it too, great idea. Pinned!
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Thank you SO much, Wanda!!
I absolutely LOVE this tree! What a cute idea to do an advent calendar tree! You’re amazing.
Aww, thanks Becky!! And I loved YOUR tree – so amazing and SO beautiful!!
Beautiful tree and your ornaments are just gorgeous! You make them look so easy! I just threw donated some old ornaments we’ve had for years. I have ideas galore now! Thank you for this post! Beautiful tree!
Thank you so much, Crystal! I promise it really was easy to do… just took a little time. π
I love, love, LOVE this tree!
Fantastic! Love this post and these printouts! Great ideas!
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Love the tree. My tree is too boring. Have a log cabin so bought a lot of bears and moose decorations. Problem is they are so dark. Maybe I can do some of your colorful decorations with a picture of bear or moose on the paper mache ornaments. I’ve been wanting to do some type of advent gift calendar too. With ages boys ages 6-16 it is a little hard to get much for presents. Candy or gum is always good though. And I was just trying to research about verses to put with each gift. I better go get busy now. Thanks for the great ideas!
You’re welcome Sherre!! I hope I provided a little inspiration. π XO
I adore this tree! Just picked up some ornaments this morning to pull off this color combo in our living room where we have that same yellowy green curtains. And I adore the photo that shows Halloween in the background. Totally a bloggers bizarre holiday calendar. I just pulled out a few Valentine’s things today. π
LOL!! Gotta love the life of a blogger! And you’re so on top of it to be thinking about Valentine’s!! π
I started an advent tree idea for my son when he was just a toddler (he’s now 13) but a cute addition to it is that I made a smaller, separate tree (not my main tree) and put a basket of ornaments beside it so that each time he takes an advent ‘bag’ (I just use little organza bags) off of the tree, he has to put an ornament ON the tree. It’s kind of fun to see the percentage of ornaments to bags change as we get closer to Christmas. π
That’s such a great idea, Angie! Thx for stopping by. π
Love love this tree! Ok so what did you use for paint?
I just used the craft paint from Michael’s in the colors I wanted to match the tree. π
Ok that’s what I figured. I was looking thru their acrylic paint and was having a hard time with the blue….all the ones I saw seemws to green or to blue. Maybe ill mix em to get the right color thank you π
I LOVE this idea so much! Our kids have a little Christmas tree in our upstairs hallway that I think I might do this on! Love!! Thank you!
So glad you like it, Katrina!! I have never been really good at doing the Advent but am hoping to change that this year with the tree. Hope you guys are able to do it too! ;D
So darling!
Thank you, Kim!! XO
This is soo amazing! I am blown away but the beauty of this tree! I am looking forward to try and do something like this for my family! Thank you for the idea. You out did your self this is an AMAZING TREE!
WOW! Thank you for the kind words. SO glad you like it. π
I’ve benefited so much from this article. I think I will decorative our Christmas tree just the way what you are showing!
So glad! Thank you!
Love the tree! Hate to ask, but how did you do the snowflakes in the background?? They’re gorgeous!
I actually bought the snowflakes from Target. π