designer tree or memory tree

How to decorate your Christmas tree can be a big decision. You go to the store and you see those magnificent trees and think...why can't my tree look like that? I guess I just don't have any talent. Not true.

The secret to those trees is that they are made up of similar ornaments. All the parts of the decoration are selected at the same time. Most people don't do that. You get ornaments as presents, one will speak to you here or there and you buy it. Your tree is a memory tree. Hallmark has done a great deal to encourage these kind of trees by creating ornaments that resemble those memories.

It is much harder to add to a "designer tree" year after year. I actually set out a few years ago to have a designer tree. I fell in love with some gold plated leaf ornaments but there wasn't enough for a whole tree so we bought a smaller tree that year. As the years have gone by, I have found things that add to it and now it's a beautiful tree and full height- well, at least as tall as me...lol. That's tall enough. If you are going to do this though you need to concentrate on keeping similar colors and themes in order to make it work right. There's no room for little Johnny's homemade ornament though.

Memory trees are wonderful too and a great place to put those handmade ornaments and gifts from treasured friends. If you are a teacher, ornaments are a common gift and a great way to remember how much impact you have on your students.

Remember it's your Christmas, celebrate the way you want to. Put memories on your tree or dress it up to the 9s in designer style. But enjoy it either way.