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The Trimming of the Tree

Christmas December 26, 2012

When most people talk about trimming their Christmas tree, they mean festooning it with ornaments and lights. But when we trimmed our tree, we actually cut off about half its branches. And the point of doing that was to create space for plenty of ornaments.

Victorian Christmas Tree For over a decade, we’ve had a fake tree to avoid dealing with dried, fallen needles on the floor.
But this year I remembered a Christmas tree from 2011 that inspired me to go “au natural.”
My inspiration was a Victorian style tree over at An Urban Cottage.

I didn’t want a fat, rounded tree. I wanted something a little more old fashioned
But I still wanted plenty of sparkle and bling. Cutting off branches made sense.

We found a Norway Pine at a local tree farm and cut it down.
When we got her home we cut off about half the branches.
I have to admit, I wasn’t brave enough to cut off as many branches as the inspiration tree.

After stringing the lights I loaded her up with ornaments.
I used landscape burlap for the skirt. No sewing required!

Gotta have a kitty cat ornament!

Several Santas are on the tree, along with plenty of vintage ornaments.

Strings of glass beads were draped ’round the tree.

A few snowmen make their appearance, too.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas as we remember the holy birth of Christ!
You can see our entire Holiday Home Tour here.

Filed Under: Christmas45 Comments

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Comments

  1. Erin~Just*Grand says

    December 24, 2012 at 3:46 am

    I love your tree! I love all the vintage and colored ornaments. Very enchanting. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  2. Ann says

    December 24, 2012 at 4:04 am

    I adore your fresh old fashioned looking tree. This reminds me of the trees of past Christmas’. Most the ones today are extremely full. My only problem is that I’m allergic to any juniper family of trees so it’s a faux one for me. I’d like to find a faux tree that looks like the one you created.
    Ann

    Reply
  3. Gee Singh Newbanks says

    December 24, 2012 at 4:05 am

    Oh what a pretty tree. I would like a real tree :-/ But alas allergies.
    But I can enjoy yours 🙂 The vintage ornaments are a treat as well.
    Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
    Gee

    Reply
  4. [email protected] Sentimental Life says

    December 24, 2012 at 4:17 am

    Oh I love it what a great idea! I have pictures from my Grandparents trees from the 1940’s and I love the way it is thinner and the ornaments and tinsel hang so nice.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  5. Roxanne Reinhart says

    December 24, 2012 at 6:43 am

    Love your tree. Never thought about trimming branches but it does bring the focus onto the ornaments and other trimmings.
    May you have a blessed Christmas.

    Reply
  6. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    December 24, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Love it Jennifer…. and totally love your ornaments.

    It’s already Christmas Eve here and we are getting ready for Carols by Candlelight.
    Merry Christmas my friend,
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

    Reply
  7. [email protected] A Life says

    December 24, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Oh my goodness, SO pretty.

    Reply
  8. Deb says

    December 24, 2012 at 10:50 am

    What a great idea! We’ll have to do that next year. It’s so hard to find a tree that gives you enough “depth” to put all your ornaments – thanks!!

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    December 24, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    That is sooooo pretty. If I ever get another real one I must remember about cutting out some of the branches. The ornaments hang better that way.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  10. An Urban Cottage says

    December 24, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Jennifer,
    You did GREAT job! It looks just like an old-fashionied Christmas tree you’d see in an old movie like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Isn’t it scary when you’re cutting? I cut out about 50 percent of the branches on a second tree I did this year and it’s amazing how natural it still looks. I’m very impressed with what you did.

    Merry Christmas!

    Steve

    Reply
  11. Blanca says

    December 24, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    Estimada Jennifer y demás amigas bloggers que vivís tan lejos, pero a las que , sin embargo, os siento tan cerca : Os deseo que paséis una muy Feliz Navidad. Os mando un abrazo.

    Reply
  12. Kathy Felsted Usher says

    December 24, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    What a fantastic idea! It’s perfect to trim those branches.

    Reply
  13. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 24, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Your tree looks beautiful, Jennifer! I can’t even tell that you’ve cut off branches, but I’m guessing the ornaments fill that in {which is probably the point}. : ) Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  14. Dawn says

    December 24, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    I so want all those vintage ornaments. Love them all, I think I am swooning:) I like a trees with branches far apart too. My hubby says I pick a Charlie Brown tree every year, the ugliest one in the forest. LOL Yours turned out so beautiful.

    Reply
  15. flowersandhome says

    December 24, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Beautiful vintage Christmas Tree. Love all those vintage ornaments and the pearl beeds strings.
    Bye,
    have a happy holiday,
    Marian

    Reply
  16. GinaBVictorian says

    December 25, 2012 at 1:15 am

    Hi Jennifer! I see what you mean, your inspiration tree is magnificent! Yours turned out really good, it looks pretty. Did you see my feather tree in my last post? It reminds me of your inspiration tree. Take a look and let me know what you think. Merry Christmas! Gina

    Reply
  17. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says

    December 25, 2012 at 1:32 am

    Beautiful tree Jennifer!! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  18. nannykim says

    December 25, 2012 at 1:46 am

    I love the look–it must have taken some brave action to do that trimming! My fake tree looses lots of needles now, because it is old. This year I had to make it fit in a smaller place so I left a few of the lower branches off and the remaining branches I bent a bit more upwards ;-). Have a blessed Christmas too!

    Reply
  19. Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says

    December 25, 2012 at 6:49 am

    You just can’t beat a real Christmas tree…gorgeous!
    Cindy

    Reply
  20. [email protected] Cultivated Nest says

    December 25, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    Very pretty! Wish I’d known about cutting the branches. We’ve had real trees every year except this one when I finally got a fake white one!

    Reply
  21. Denyse says

    December 25, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Jennifer, Your tree is beautiful. I just love traditional trees.

    I’m having a PINTEREST Social hop. I’d love for you to hop on over, grab a button and link up your Pinterest. If you don’t have Pinterest it’s ok, come link up your blog.

    http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2012/12/pinterest-party.html

    I’m also looking for Pinterest Pinners to feature every week beginning in January. If you are on Pinterest and are interested in being featured come link up! Who knows you might meet some other great pinners and gain a few great ideas.

    http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-for-pinners.html

    Have a crazy beautiful week!

    Reply
  22. Heaven's Walk says

    December 26, 2012 at 3:28 am

    What a fabulous idea, Jennifer! I never would have dared cutting off some branches to make the tree look more airy and vintage. But it’s just perfect! It’s just beautiful…. 🙂 Hope you had a blessed Christmas day, my friend!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  23. Carol says

    December 26, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Your tree is just beautiful, Jennifer!

    Reply
  24. Olive says

    December 26, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Oh you TRIMMED the tree! Well done as it is stunning:}

    Reply
  25. Ivy and Elephants says

    December 26, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Just gorgeous!
    Wishing you a happy and blessed new year.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    Reply
  26. Revi says

    December 26, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    It’s beautiful!
    I may try the tree pruning thing next year. Yours looks great.
    -Revi

    Reply
  27. Jann says

    December 26, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Just found your blog through Nita’s. Thank you for the kind words to her. Although she and I do not know each other personally, I follow her through her words and photo’s and seem to know her heart as well.
    Your tree is wonderful and I certainly hope your Christmas was the same.
    May your new year be of health and such ease and peace….
    Holiday hugs from Idaho

    Reply
  28. Vickie @ Ranger 911 says

    December 27, 2012 at 4:48 am

    You took a chance by cutting branches off your tree, but the results are stunning!

    Reply
  29. Heather says

    December 27, 2012 at 5:51 am

    I love the “Victorian” feel of the pine tree and your beaded garland – lovely!

    Reply
  30. Pieced Pastimes says

    December 27, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    Your ‘Victorian’ tree turned out beautiful. Love all the vintage ornies.

    Reply
  31. Debra says

    December 27, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    I just love your tree! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Karie's Chic Creations says

    December 27, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Love the tree, and the ornaments are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Karie

    Reply
  33. Audrey says

    December 28, 2012 at 5:15 am

    What a great idea to take some of the branches out. So much easier to decorate and it looks beautiful.
    Happy New Year.
    Audrey Z.
    Timeless Treasures

    Reply
  34. silvia says

    December 28, 2012 at 8:29 am

    Thank you Jennifer to visit my blog your decorations are simply perfect! I wish you an happy New Year!

    Reply
  35. Polly says

    December 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    very pretty!!

    Reply
  36. [email protected] The Vintage Nest says

    December 28, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Love it!!! And definitely putting that tip on my “christmas tips and wants to do list” for next year. I think Frazier firs are so pretty but a spruce tree gives you lots more space to dangle the ornaments but I rarely see spruce trees on the lots around here. Your ornaments are just fabulous. Happy New Year

    Reply
  37. ~ Liz ~ says

    December 29, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    Jennifer, your trimmed tree is most gorgeous! My favorite trees are always the ones that look sparse and are festooned with old fashioned looking ornaments. I never seem to find those sparse trees and wouldn’t have thought of creating the look myself. I’m going to tuck away your post (pin it) and see if I can swing doing this next year. I absolutely love your tree. Glad you went natural rather than artificial this year. The result is beautiful.
    Liz

    Reply
  38. Dawn says

    December 29, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    Thank you for linking up to party. It will go live again this Monday and be a general decorating party. Hope to see you there.

    Reply
  39. Le Idee di Papilio says

    December 29, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Wow, very nice!
    Happy New Year !
    Kiss
    Serena

    Reply
  40. Jody and Stan says

    December 30, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    What a gorgeous vintage tree! Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

    Jody

    Reply
  41. LT says

    December 30, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    Just divine!!! xxx

    http://promisestokeepbeforeisleep.blogspot.co.uk/

    Reply
  42. Laurel Stephens says

    January 2, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    I’ve been away from my favorite blogs for a couple of months and today am catching up. You know how, by the first week of January you’ve kind-of had enough of Christmas and are ready to pack it away and move on to the new year? Well, I thought I was there, until I looked at your gorgeous holiday decorated house photos today, and now I want to start all over again!! Yours truly has been my favorite of all the wonderful decorated homes I saw this year. You constantly inspire me with the beauty of your home. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  43. Bridget Hedger says

    January 5, 2013 at 12:53 am

    I love this tree, I tell everyone I’m very particular about my xmas tree. I’ve always loved yours and always will and will continue to decorate mine similar to yours

    Reply
  44. Pamela says

    November 16, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    It turned out amazing Jennifer!! I will have to remember this for when we go live again.

    Reply
  45. Mary spivey says

    November 24, 2016 at 7:37 am

    4 years later but any advice for doing this?? I’ve always wanted to cut out branches too!!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life.

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