Tales from the Girl Who Loves Eclectic Vintage Christmas Trees
⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛
The holiday season is the best season of them all, at least for me, here #behindthehourglass. November and December days are filled to the brim with treasured memories with family and friends.
The love of Christmas trees was engrained in me from an early age, and each Christmas, my mom and I would put up my Granny’s Christmas tree at her house. Granny showcased her family heirlooms on the tree, with the names of each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. This paved the way for my own habits, although I have had a Christmas tree since I was a toddler, I presume. Some of my first ornaments were Mickey Mouse, “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Sesame Street.” Like the memory hoarder I am, I still have them.
If you’re like me, you’re an eclectic vintage person. I love multiple eras, architectural styles, graphic design and fonts, fashion, home decor… and that is the short list. Find your particular brand of vintage and brainstorm. Be a trendsetter in your own abode or office space. Do what you like, and the holidays, which can be stressful, will be a haven for you to enjoy during the coldest of winter nights.
Whether you love real trees (who doesn’t love the smell?) or put up a fake one, the tree serves as the canvas. You’re the artist of your own tree. I have multiple trees, sorted by style and theme. You could go the traditional route, with a green tree or mix and match with some white, red, or tin trees. The possibilities are endless.
The love of Christmas trees was ingrained in me from an early age, and each Christmas, my mom and I would put up my Granny’s Christmas tree at her house. Granny showcased her family heirlooms on the tree, with the names of each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. This paved the way for my own habits, although I have had a Christmas tree since I was a toddler, I presume.
I love Christmas trees so much that I can’t have just one. If you’re decisive and have one theme, go for it! My style of vintage is having the following trees: “Star Wars” and sci-fi; “The Wizard of Oz”; travel (complete with several Eiffel Towers and ornaments from my trips abroad and in the States); and a family tree.
To make your tree pop with vintage flair, check out Etsy or eBay for some vintage ornament, tin garland, or bubble lighting finds. I can’t resist a 1990s Hallmark ornament to fulfill my pop-culture desires, à la “Star Trek” or “The Wizard of Oz.”
For the crafty vintage lovers, string some popcorn as garland or create your own paper mache topper.
No Christmas tree is complete without gifts under the tree. I love wrapping paper. I purchase patterned paper, such as houndstooth. Or if I really want to get into the 1940s’ era, I will wrap presents with newspaper or burlap.
Along with any vintage-and-tradition-loving person, start your own Christmas tree traditions. I’ll be putting up my tree this year, listening to some Bing Crosby and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” I will save my holiday Coca-Cola for Christmas morning, one of the few times I will indulge in one of my favorite vices.
Copyright © MMXVI Hourglass Omnimedia, LLC
This post was originally published on Dec. 20, 2017.
Kaylin R. Staten is an award-winning public relations practitioner. She owns Hourglass Omnimedia, a consulting company based in Huntington, WV.
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