Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Tree Stripped Bare

Here is our Christmas tree.

The tree that Anth and Annabel made...mostly Annabel, with just a little help from her Dad.

To call it simple would be an understatement.

That's what we're doing this year, keeping it simple.

Some of you will hate it...that's not a Christmas tree" you'll say, "that thing's ugly!" You might even use a swear word or two to describe it!

Some of you will think..."hmmmm, it's ok, but I wouldn't have a tree like that in my house..."

And then. There may be a few of you like me, who love it.

And love it I do.

*
in
fact
we may nev
er buy another c
hristmas tree again!
**
**
**

it was difficult to get a good pic, it's much nicer in the flesh...and it was tricky to decorate too...

especially when we have lots of gorgeous vintage decorations like these

$2.50 from Vinnies! (want me to repeat that?)

these

and these

In the end I decided less was more. The little baubles are vintage glass ones made in Japan, the sweet hand-made birdy is from Megan as part of Micaela's ornament swap, the pasta angel which you can just make out on the left, is from lovely Lakota and Mary's there too, because after all, it wouldn't be Christmas without her, would it!

Please find time to read this poem. I have loved it for many years...I'm sure you will too.

little tree by e e cummings

Little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don't be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the puffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i'll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
there won't be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you're quite dressed
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they'll stare!
oh but you'll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
 and looking up at our beautiful tree
we'll dance and sing
"Noel Noel"

x

 Isn't it lovely...I first read it in an English Lit class when I was sixteen, and it still makes me tear up...and smile, at the same time.

Feel free to let me know if you think our tree is a bit on the quirky side and you hate it

or
most especially, if you like it.

pssst wanna make your own Charlie Brown tree? click here  to find out how...

I'm all treed out....maybe next year...

x




39 comments:

  1. I love your tree. I think any tree is a great tree. Sometimes the traditional trees make me question their relevance in Australia.

    I do love yours, and I'm not saying that ... though I do wish there was some way you could use those vintage decorations.

    Glad you have a Mary on your tree ... such a great mum (you and her)!

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  2. I just found your blog and I think your tree looks great! It's special to you and it's unique and, beyond all that, it's really pretty!

    Love that poem, too!

    Merry Christmas!

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  3. Kylie I love, love, love your tree..so much so that I want one! Those vintage decorations are just gorgeous...maybe you could string them up like a garland?

    x

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  4. I really like your tree it makes a statement without taking up any space! It's a very Aussie looking xmas tree, they did an awesome job.

    xx

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  5. Our homes are an extension of ourselves and how we decorate and fill them a huge part of us. We are unique and different and that is what makes the world go round, it would be a very boring old place if we were all the same ;-)) Your tree is lovely but its a bit to stark for my personnal taste i do like the full tree with the decorations and pretty lights but that is me and my personnal taste ;-))I have to say i love G plan sideboard though ;-)) Have a wonderful xmas with your sweet family and i hope the new year is one that is filled with lovely memories. dee xx

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  6. I'm one of those people who love this style of Christmas tree..It's on my list for next Christmas.
    Oh my those beautiful ornaments for only $2.50, you lucky duck. x

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  7. Well done Anth and Annabel. I love it and the poem. Have a good one!

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  8. Wow! I love it, I really do! Its so cool!! How creative!!!! How did you come up with that idea?!

    x Aliya

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  9. Love the tree Kylie, and its even more special because your loved ones made it.

    $2.50 for the glass ornaments..thats insane! Fantastic!

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  10. Fantastic tree & I LOVE the way you've decorated that room. Just divine!

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  11. I fall into the 'love' category. I'm an untidy hoarder, but long to live a minimalist, shaker-style existence. I also like right angles and clear.lines. Christmas trees do not lend themselves well to this philosophy. You may well have started something big here.

    Well done!

    Lucy x

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  12. Love the tree! Annabel and Anth have done a great job - though I would probably baubleise it more. It fits your style of room really well as it is. New business venture there - how many could they make by this time next year? x

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  13. I think it's fantastic. I am a bit jealous of your $2.50 ornaments! I had to make your first pic big to check out all the funky things you have on display. That lamp is gorgeous!

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  14. It's a "love" from me.....what a fabulous idea. x

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  15. Love the tree - its like something you would see in one of those really expensive home decor magazines! Poem is lovely!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  16. I really like it, very simple and peaceful. I would be sniffing around for somewhere else to completely bling up with those decorations though. We are doing the dead stick tree over here and i am really liking the simplicity of it all. Those vintage decorations are superb Btw. melx

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  17. I LOVE your tree, it's perfect! We have our tree drawn with chalk pen on our french door glass this year, so no judgement here haha.
    Those vintage decorations were an absolute steal - well done, and that poem is beautiful, thank you for sharing xxx

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  18. It's fab - I don't think I could ever do away with a 'proper' tree like tree (hmm, articulate), but I'd definitely be up for it as an extra. Besides, there's a totally different climate in Australia to the UK, so what works here doesn't necessarily translate to the other side of the world. Glad pasta angel made it!

    I do like that e.e. cummings poem although as usual the lack of capital letters makes me a little bit twitchy. Always loved the spangles that sleep all year in a dark box and the image of every finger having a ring.

    If we don't 'speak' before, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas xxx

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  19. PS. Speaking of spangles, you KNOW how jealous I am of your $2.50 box!

    PPS. 2 koalas left...

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  20. Kylie,

    I love it! I am definitely going to make one for next year. Put those Santas in a bowl - too cute!

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  21. I love this idea. I have seen several bloggers do something similar to this, and it looks so cool.


    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  22. I love your tree.
    I would love to do something like that, but I do love a traditional tree.
    Love your vintage decorations also, looks like we had a similar score on those huh?

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  23. Well I think your tree is rather unique and quite neat. Very nice job on it!
    Also I am rather jelous of your box of vintage ornaments. I was only able to find a couple boxes for decent prices in thift stores here. Most of them were priced for 8 dollars or higher and I was not willing to pay that price.

    My plan is to find some pretty ones at garage sales in the summer. *lol* I want to switch my regular decorations to mostly all vintage ones.

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  24. Looks great Kylie! Love all those vintage ornaments, especially the santas. Ol' Charlie Brown tugs at the heart strings doesn't he??

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  25. I could do away with all christmas trees- just don't see the point.

    We finally have ours - it is real, it is tall, it is FAT and it required a rearrangement of the sitting room furniture to accommodate it. It drops needles like nobodies business and the mister bought horrid white and blue LED lights that blink on and off and drive me nuts.

    So, in a nutshell, I prefer yours. Like Lucy, I aspire to a simpler way of living...Amish would do me, I think. But with roses. Lots of. ;)

    I love e.e. cummings. Love love love - possibly my favourite poet. His style rocks. And that's a wonderful poem.

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  26. Wow, those ornaments were a MEGA find! I'm very jealous! hope you have a fab Christmas!

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  27. love it! im not a fan of the big fake trees anyway :) those ornaments are gorgeous!!! christmas at your place looks amazing... hope you have a great day!

    Kel x

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  28. I love your tree, mine is a fake black one about 2 foot high that was $5 from BigW LOL

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  29. I really like that there tree; it's so...tidy! and it really suits that wonderful looking room. it's turning me against the green, messy kind...might have to raid the wood shed in the morning!
    merry christmas to you and yours Kylie x

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  30. What a fabulous idea Kylie! I do love it! I don't think I've ever seen a wall tree before lol!! I'll have to get around to blogging about my diy xmas tree...though my idea is nothing new :p

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  31. I love the tree. It's simple and stylish and elegant and effective. I bet you could think of something else to do with your vintage baubles, being a creative type!
    Great poem. Have a wonderful Christmas! xxxxxx

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  32. Love your tree! Since its not overly Christmassy tho I reckon you could keep it up all year! :)

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  33. Personally I think your Christmas tree is absolutely fabulous :-)

    Jem xXx

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  34. Love the tree! I am with Faff, I would keep it up all year.

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  35. As I get stuck with putting everything away, I'm thinking your tree would be perfect,love it and your bargain decs.I looked at some that were $5 each!

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  36. The tree is treemendous lol. I love it. Merry Christmas.

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  37. The vintage Santa's are darling! The poem is beautiful, I can't believe I have never heard it before. Thank you so much for including it.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  38. it's YOU! which is why i love it :)

    i was so happy to have you in my ornament swap <3

    xoxo

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