My Old World Style Christmas Tree with Adornments from Ukraine
Merry Christmas Eve! Nothing like waiting until the last minute to share this year’s Old World style Christmas tree. But if you think about it, it’s the perfect time to share my tree because it’s customary in Germany (where the Christmas tree originated) to put up your tree on Christmas Eve. I don’t know of anyone that waits that long though.
You’ll notice there aren’t any presents under the tree. We celebrated our family holiday last weekend with a three-day trip to historic Galena, Illinois. We’ve been doing this for five years now and I just booked the same house again for next year.
This year I used the same ornaments as last year, but used a more sparse tree. Truth be told, I wasn’t in much of a mood to decorate for the holidays. I can’t really pinpoint a reason, except for perhaps the memories of years past when I’d go all out and it was so much work. I enjoyed keeping things simpler this year.
There are two things new to this year’s tree. I added gold, velvet bows and a few more orange-hued vintage ornaments, like the pine cone below. The orange ornaments are from Ukraine and I ordered them on Etsy back in October. Due to the war, I wasn’t sure I’d even get them but I felt good about purchasing from someone who was facing a daily challenge. Honestly I was okay with not receiving them and not getting my money back if something happened. Much to my surprise, they arrived in November.
The majority of the ornaments on my Old World style Christmas tree are from King of Christmas. The tree is the unlit Noble Fir, also from King of Christmas. I decided to string my own lights on the tree because sometimes a strand of lights will go out on pre-lit trees and it can be a challenge to replace them. Not to mention it’s more economical. The little orangey-bronze ornament next to the orange slice at the top of the photo is also from Ukraine.
Last year’s felted partridge adorns the top of the tree once again. Look carefully and you’ll notice we’ve got snow for Christmas. The blizzard that roiled across the country hit us just a little bit. We ended up with two inches of the white fluffy stuff instead of 12 inches that was predicted for our area.
For some reason my kitties like to gather under the tree when the sun goes down and the lights are on. Can you see them? It’s Izzy and Bella (they’re brother and sister).
Enjoy your Christmas holiday this weekend! Many people are going through struggles and challenges but I hope and pray that you will be able to find some peace and joy. Don’t stress about making everything perfect. Enjoy the moment and revel in the miracle of Christ’s birth.
Hi Jennifer,
Your tree is breath-taking. Thank you for sharing pictures of it!!! And talking me about Ukraine. Happy Holidays to You!! Barb
Thanks, Barb! I hope you enjoyed your holiday!
Jennifer
A beautiful, meaningful Christmas tree, so beautiful. Sometimes less is truly more. I agree, this year I really didn’t feel like going all out, not sure exactly why.
Here in Central New York (think Syracuse to Utica) we have strong winds and some snow, bone chilling 3 degrees- but nothing like our North Country/ADK’s and southern Tier have been hit with. My heart goes out to everyone across the nation who are experiencing such severe weather.
Have a wonderful holiday, and thanks for all the fabulous homes and ideas you share with us every day.
Thanks, Susan. I hope you weathered the storm in your area! Things are starting to warm back up here in the Chicagoland area. Have a safe and happy New Year!
Absolutely stunning! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!
Thanks so much, Linda! Hope your holiday was festive!
Have a Blessed Holiday and Happy New Year!
You too, Dotte! Thanks for being a reader.
Your tree is beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thanks so much, Eve! Have a wonderful New Year!
Beautiful tree!!! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas
Thanks, Donna! I hope your holiday was enjoyable and peaceful.
Hi Jennifer,
Your Christmas tree is breath-taking!! Thank you for posting the pictures and sharing about the ornaments from Ukraine!! Happy Holidays!!! Barb
“Don’t stress about making everything perfect. Enjoy the moment and revel in the miracle of Christ’s birth.”
I love your words, and your beautiful tree.
Thank you for sharing, and for your lovely posts.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Thanks Teena! I hope your Christmas was special. Thanks for being a reader!
Jennifer
Absolutely beautiful tree.
I love that you have ornaments from Ukraine.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Pamela. I wish I had ordered more ornaments from Ukraine. Hope your holiday was happy!
Lovely tree! The gold and orange colors are a beautiful surprise! I appreciate your “enjoy the moment and revel in the miracle of Christ’s birth”!
Thanks Diane! Hope your Christmas was enjoyable and peaceful.
Very pretty tree! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Kathy! Hope your Christmas was all you hoped it to be!
Very pretty tree! I like the colors. Merry Christmas!
Love the tree. Really loving simple more and more. Christmas isn’t feeling the same here either. Waiting on new house to be finished end of month. Downsized big time. Will look forward to seeing what I really “love” and “want” in this new space! Feel very blessed but miss those that are no longer with us. Making new traditions as empty nesters and grandparents. Ready for new and joy filled days in 2023. Peace on earth and blessings to all.
Hi Missie! How exciting to be building a new home. You’ll have so much fun decorating it. I’m an empty nester too and appreciate the peace and quiet. Of course, it’s always fun to visit the grands! Hope your Christmas was a good one!
Very pretty!
Your tree is gorgeous and I just love everything about that corner especially the last photo with your two cats under the tree. Beautiful ornaments, just perfect! I think this is my favorite out of all the trees I’ve seen pictures of this year. Growing up, as well as when my children were young, the tree was always put up Christmas Eve. So much last minute work! It is so much easier now to choose whenever I want to put it up. Merry Christmas!
Your tree is absolutely beautiful! Merry Christmas!
Love your tree it is so beautiful. I felt the same way, only put up my smallest tree and decided just being together was more important. I do my my nativity set out, I felt that was the most important. Have a blessed Merry Christmas.
Your tree is so pretty and old fashioned looking… just perfect. I like the idea of unlit trees as I’ve tossed too many otherwise still lovely trees because of too many burnt out strings of lights. When I was a kid, that’s what you did as part of the tree decorating event, so look at it as one more nostalgic look to the past. I’m also downsizing my trees….much easier to handle. Large prelit trees are HEAVY. I still enjoy putting up my “themed” trees, but they will be smaller. Didn’t mean to go on so, but your pretty little tree got me thinking ahead. Back to the here and now. Merry Christmas Jennifer and thank you for always giving me the warm fuzzies.
Beautiful and thanks for sharing your kind comments!
So pretty. I like the color scheme and the fact that you purchased from Ukraine. I do have a question. Did you actually tie your bows onto the tree? I don’t have any large trees, but I did try the floppy ribbon thing this year on some small trees and I haven’t been able to get mine to look like yours or those of any other blogger. Happy holidays!
Your tree is beautiful! I too didn’t feel up to too much this year. How did you come about the ornaments from Ukraine? I hope many are in support as well. Counting my blessings this year and finding comfort in helping others who might be struggling.
Merry Christmas!
And the cats look sweet in their hiding spot..must be warm under the tree with the lights on.
Merry Christmas! Do you mind sharing link to Etsy store where you purchases Ukrainian ornaments? Thank you very much.
Your tree is a lovely tree….what makes it lovely….you! When we have pleased ourself with our idea and action then we see our true self. Wasn’t there a song in the yesteryears that said
‘everything is beautiful in it’s own way…’ Merry Christmas and many more.
Merry Christmas….and the tree is amazing. Thank you for all that you share.