A gardener's Christmas tree

I clearly remember one of the first Christmas celebrations I spent with my husband's family when we all gathered at my sister-in-law's house. I'd already been to her house for summer picnics but her interior decor looked like it came straight out of a holiday magazine: It was picture-perfect. 

I was particularly smitten with the tiny trees she had in every room; all of them decorated in different themes that reflected her interests and those of her husband. I loved the idea but it was just too-labor intensive a concept for me: decorating all those little trees each year. 

But this is a woman who has a white couch so I figured she was up to the task. We, on the other hand, walk directly from working in our garden into the living room where you will often find work boots and tools under the furniture. 

So I gave up on my fantasy of tiny trees at my house  — until I discovered she stored them completely decorated and just pulled them out of the basement and popped them into place in December. And thus were born my own little trees, including the one below. This is my paean to the garden: it's covered with tiny garden tools, baskets, traditional clay pots, garden hats, and miniature watering cans. It's finished off with straw ornaments  — the requisite Scandinavian touch for anyone living in Wisconsin.

My garden-themed tree is about 33 inches tall to the top of the Annabelle hydrangea blossom.

Comments

[Mr. McGregor's Daughter]

That is such a great little tree! I did 1 mini tree a long time ago, & they didn't have any mini garden ornaments back then. I may have to do another mini tree now.

[EACH LITTLE WORLD]

They have so many ornaments now that it makes it really fun to do these tiny trees. I have another that is all dolls and toys and one with glass ornaments.

I was at your blog this a.m. but did not leave a comment as you had so many already. it's 20 degrees here and has been snowing since last night at 6 p.m. and is to continue until about 6 a.m. tomorrow — mixed with sleet and freezing rain! I figure on Wed. a.m., I will take out the recycling bin as it is full and forget about garbage — assuming I can get the bin down the driveway! I'm afraid it's going to be another long winter, as you say.

[Carol, May Dreams Gardens]

I love that little tree! Very creative. I have one tree, and lots of gardening-themed ornaments, but I'd love a small tree like that one.

[EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Carol — that photo is from a few years ago but I had to laugh when I realized there is a hoe resting on the ground in front of the tree. It's quite dark but you can just make it out! I, of course, am always looking for tiny watering can ornaments.

[Inkslinger]

What a great tree! And the idea of keeping them stored already decorated inspires me to try this out, too.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

It was a big breakthrough when I realized my sister-in-law stored her trees. To store them, I set mine in a small box and stuff newspaper around the base to keep the tree steady. Then I cover the whole thing with a plastic bag and put it in the basement.