When I wrote about being the youngest of 12, I was so pleased to receive many comments and questions about my family. And, I was pleasantly surprised to learn some of you are also from large families.
Christmas in a large household was always exciting. My older brothers would take our artificial tree down from the attic, put it together, and string “blinking” lights in dazzling colors. Then, all of us would embellish the tree with silver and gold tinsels, glittery ornaments, satin bows, and a red velvet tree skirt. The pièce de résistance was our gold star tree topper….always a bit wobbly. And of course, we had fake (empty) presents wrapped in festive papers. We didn’t exchange presents at Christmas time because we did that on Chinese New Year.
In my first apartment I decided to get a real tree. I decorated it in a simpler way using only vintage ornaments that spoke to me. That is still the style I prefer today, but seeing colorful and lavish trees always bring back fond childhood memories.
Here is our little tree for Christmas 2012 ~ Happy Holidays!
Before getting the tree, I brought out our antique and vintage ornaments. Most are silver and white, and quite small in size. Above: just as in nature, vintage German pine cones can be found in various sizes.
Two antique French horns, probably from Ca. 1890 – 1900.
An early lyre or wishbone ornament. Which do you think it is?
Many jingle bells!!
Definitely one of my favorites: an elusive humming bird.
Tom and I like to support our neighborhood church – Blessed Sacrament’s tree sale.
We didn’t find the right tabletop size, so we got a slightly larger fraser fir, and cut off the bottom. Have you noticed how Christmas trees are so full and robust nowadays? I wanted an airy looking tree so I pruned out one third of the branches…..until the trunk became visible.
And here is our tree all decorated! In addition to the ornaments, we used 2 strings of white lights, faux snow from Pottery Barn, and a piece of garden burlap for the skirt.
Making Mocha sit still for a photo with the blue ornament boxes.
I found this charming antique Victorian painted cast iron tree fence years ago. I love the gates.
A gift from a good friend, our tree topper is a tin copy of George Washington’s dove of peace weather vane at Mount Vernon.
Here is the weather vane at Mount Vernon – photo from Mount Vernon’s website. To read more about weather vanes, go here.
Interestingly, this dove was featured on a Christmas stamp in 1974.
Ooooh, so pretty! I like the fake snow. It goes so nicely with the silver ornaments! I wanted to try trimming out some of the branches on our tree, but I chickened out. I was afraid I would mess it up. But seeing how wonderful your tree looks, maybe I'll be braver next year. 🙂
blown away. The vintage ornaments (those french horns incredible) to the snow and antique gate….superb, as with all you do. Thinking it's not too late to have a little snow fall on my tabletop tree this year!
Like the above commenter, I too "chickened out" when considering trimming some of the branches. Did you seal the cuts or just leave them?
Thanks, Jennifer. I just left the cuts. Not much sap, and between the ornaments and snow you can't see them.
I think your tree is the most beautiful I have seen Loi, I love that you have thinned the branches to see the whole tree, and let the ornaments have the space they need. The dove at the top is quite perfect – in fact, I think I'll copy it.
Merry Christmas!
Such a gorgeous tree, Loi. I love the vintage ornaments and just the whole serene feel the room has. It's a beautiful Christmas at your house!
Loi of course your tree is absolutely divine but how did you get Mocha to pose for that picture…please tell me you took a million shots to get that one pose?!!
Absolutely stunning tree Mr Loi. I've not seen a hummingbird ornament quite like that before, a real little beauty.
Loi, this post really made me smile. First, love the photo of you with the gracious-looking church in the back yard. Second, adore the tree – what a darling collection of ornaments you have (envy that you get to do all white or silver – David prefers lots of colours which I indulge as he indulges me all year). Thirdly, the photo of Mocha and the tree is so lovely and funny – reminds me of a White House photo of Bo I saw. You should send this on your Christmas cards. hehe.
Such a great post! We just got our tree yesterday and I am decorating tomorrow. xo Terri
Oh, I meant the church in the "background", not the back yard. Unless it is in your back yard. ;D xo T.
Hello Loi, I would kill for that cast-iron fence, although I would find different potential uses for it, such as displaying a model of an old house or building. Or even just enjoy it plain. I also like the way you pruned down the tree, which makes it more ethereal and also better for displaying decoration. In that sense it works like those antique feather and other man-made trees, which feature rather sparse foliage yielding the same effect. For that one ornament, I vote for lyre–it looks more like one, and I'm pretty sure that I have seen some with strings indicated.
–Road to Parnassus
Loi, your eye for the exquisite is truly a gift, your tree is superb. Here in Australia we always have an artificial tree as the weather just doesn't lend itself to real cut trees. I remember one year when I was a child my family cut a real tree and we spent the next three weeks gathering pine needles from the floor and ended up on Christmas day with a tree that Morticia Adams would have adored !! Still, all these years later, it still brings a smile and a giggle to me and my siblings when we reminisce about the "year we had the real tree". Hence my all white house this year has a white tree smothered in black and gold ornaments. Thank you again for your gorgeous posts and the time and effort you put into your beautiful blog.
Oops, so sorry. I also meant to say I think the ornament is a lyre representing the angels surrounding the baby Jesus. xo
Thank you, Felicity! The more I look at the ornament, the more I see a lyre. Cheers, Loi
Dear Loi,
Your Christmas tree is fully back my childhood memories…
In the old days when I was a child, Christmas trees and ornaments were exactly like this!
I am the third of five daughters and lived and growing up in a large family too.
For Holidays we were buying real tree on a timber carrier and the whole house smelled of pine…
Ornaments were carefully guarded in fine paper as they were made of thin glass and very delicate, like yours.We were puting them with great care on the tree, but back then there were no artificial snow, so we finish decorating with additional pieces of cotton.
Your tree's wonderful, but you already know that from my story. :))
Wish you and your family a beautiful holidays!!
Vesna
Dear Loi – Your Christmas tree is perfect – absolutely perfect. The little fence and gate beautifully completing the picture.
In your oval photo it doesn't seem to matter about the rectangle surround as it doesn't show on your post. If you want to get rid of it you need to make the background 'invisible' then do the oval. You can do this all at the same time on picmonkey.
I think that the Christmas ornament is a wish bone. Traditionally at the Christmas table my father always completed the carving by presenting the wishbone to we children to break and have wishes.
My dear Loi,
Where can I even start to tell you how warm and lovely your design sensibilities are !!!! This year, I am a bit behind on my decorating, but today is the day I will clean and begin. And interestingly enough, it just snowed for REAL, for the first time all season, last night. I too have mercury glass ornies and I am taking some lovely brown paper wrapping, cutting it into strips and stamping some vintage French script onto it. I will use that as a garland on my little white lit up tree, decked out in silver this year. I also am hanging silver ornies from my chandeliers with gray ribbon hanging down from the arms.
Your vestibule is stunning. OH DEAR, those chairs flanking your tree are TDF, and I love a thinner tree myself. I have always loved CHARLIE BROWN'S TREE!!!!!!
Much love is radiating from you home, and I wish you and Tom a peaceful and memorable Christmas!!! Anita
Oh it is lovely Loi! My favorite ornament is the hummingbird. My parents had many very old ornaments from the 1800's when I was growing up. We always had a real tree…decorated with vintage glass santas, pine cones ,(like you), and a lovely bird perched on a shell. Your tree looks lovely with the natural light coming through. It fits your decor perfectly. I have never seen a tree gate before; however, I think it is fabulous and makes me think of our gardens. It's good to see you are enjoying the season.
What a beautiful blog you have. I just popped over from YONKS, and I am trying not to stalk, but you do great work. (Anything that makes me want to dust is truly amazing.) Your tree is wonderful – makes me want to trim up ours and I just might, if I can find the wire cutters. Thanks for pointing out the tree topper. I missed it the first (few) times I looked at your tree.
Loi your tree is perfection in my book it's so pretty! I don't like a lot of color on our tree either and prefer white and gold vintage ornaments, love your wishbone! The gate you found is fabulous. Mocha is so cute but where's Panda? Like that you were brave and clipped branches out to make your tree more airy. We just found our tree yesterday in the woods and he needs a little pruning too so I'm going to be brave and take a few branches out.
Happy Holidays!
XXX
Debra
Thanks, Debra! Panda doesn't like photos (unless there is a treat waiting)!
Dear Loi,
Thank you for sharing your Christmas tree with us.
Of course we knew it would be fab and you have not let us down!
The end result is stunning!
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Liz x
What a wonderful collection of vintage ornaments. Love them. Love the table top tree. That is what I used this year, too. I'm just tired of the big tree. That gate around your tree is the coolest thing I have seen. Love it. Reminds me of the iron gates we saw in Conn. this year.
it looks BEAUTIFUL!!! i am a vintage ornament fanatic, too. i actually had a bird i found like that and i broke it. 🙁 my kids have the colorful lavish crazy tree, and then we have a live one i decorated with red and green and silver vintage ornaments and a vintage flocked tree i decorated with blue and gold vintage ornaments. there are no other ornaments like them with the same shine, and the look of character and christmases past. i look at my vintage ornaments and like to think about christmases ago, and who might have sat around the tree with that ornament on it.
and i can only imagine how fun the holidays must have been with 12 kids in your family!!!
Hi Loi, Perfection! I remember many similar ornaments on my grandmother's tree – yours are lovely. And the faux snow is a fun idea. Beautiful photographs as always!
xo,
P
Beautiful Loi. I love the fence around the base, how amazing ! And of course Mocha steals the show once in the frame:) I have been collecting vintage as well, but do not have as many as you. The hummingbird!!!! Enjoy your weekend. xob
Gorgeous! I love vintage ornaments and the French horns are darling. I think we would all enjoy hearing more about your large family, as an only child, I find it fascinating.
Childhood memories…getting a tree, hanging the lights, unwrapping the ornaments…we had some of the vintage ornaments like the bird, the house and the pine cones…I now remember the 'angel hair' that we decorated the tree with…Oh this post brings back lots of good memories! Your tree is beautiful Loi!
Merry Christmas to you too!
I don't know where to begin? Everything is so meaningful and lovely. All your ornaments, etc…MC and I love the humming bird! We "take care of" a humming bird tribe all summer! We love to watch them, although they fight like you can't believe. They are not nice to each other
!
The tree fence and that gate…..Love it!!
The manner in which you pruned your tree…. ingenious! I never would have thought of that…but you did and it's perfect!
Thank you for sharing all your family traditions and your recent ones with Tom. Can't wait to hear about your Christmas Eve dinner with all the children. It will be magical!
Merry Christmas Dear New Friend.
Patty and MC
Beyond Lovely! I love small table top trees! We just got ours yesterday, and had fun decoration last night! I loves birds and the hummingbirds and topper are just darling! Of course the beautiful Dog made that one shot!! Love it.
xo Karolyn
Delighted to see your lovely tree and vintage ornaments. in California we had gorgeous noble fir Christmas trees with lots of spaces between the branches for ornaments. I miss them here in VA, but now you have inspired me to prune the fraser fir we just brought home. Wishing you and Tom a most happy Christmas! ~ Julie
Your tabletop tree is so lovely and looks elegant. I have a large collection of vintage ornaments and mercury glass items like yours and enjoy decorating with them as well. Somehow…your home looks so sophisticated…really perfect!… As mine is …well…homey! lol….
I am sure that is because of your exquisite taste and talents!
Wishing you, Tom and your family a joyous holiday season!
Laura
Your tree is so beautiful Loi. I love the vintage ornaments. They brought back such fond memories I have of decorating the Christmas tree with my grandmother. She always loved the bird ornaments like you showed in your photographs. Your little dog was a wonderful model. Thank you for sharing your Christmas tree with us. Your talent is amazing!
I hope you can hear the applause from here. Hip, hip, hooray for the pruning!
What a great collection of antique ornaments! I've seen birds that have a similar tail but I don't believe I've ever seen a hummingbird I'm sure there's a memory of a person, place or travel that accompanies each one. The fence is a great find as well and perfect for a tabletop tree.
Lovely!
Loi,
I love how you prepare and take care of all the elements of your home Christmas tree. Somethings old, new, blue, and elements of a weather vane too. Love the tabletop trees they create a delicate feel to a room especially if you put up more that one tree, and your househould has pet children and children to consider.
My pet children 2 indoor cats (who've passed) use to sleep (for hours) under our real Christmas tree, climb it, sometimes eat tinsel and knock bulbs off and play soccer accross the floor. Memories are filed away and surfasce at the perfect time to fill our creative surges especially at Christmas…how grand.
Love your holiday tree and decorations…great post.
Season's greetings!
Bette
Oh, Loi- what a lovely post to see this Sunday morning 🙂
Such beautifully crafted ornaments-they must feel very happy to be on a tree that can showcase them so well-much like the homes they adorned long ago, I'm sure.
Do you sell any ornaments in your shop? I love them all, but the pine cones and the bells are my faves.
I have a set of china bells-they are very tiny, hand painted and come from Japan. They always remind me of my childhood Christmases. While not antique, their fragility is exquisite.
I envy you a large family-that has to be so much fun on any holiday!
Thanks for sharing your tree with all of us. Oh and that Mocha is a fabulous model,btw- just adorable!
Thanks so much, Susan. We do not sell ornaments at the shop. Perhaps next year!
Hello Loi,
Stunning tree, beautiful collection of ornaments and so very festive. I absolutely love the tree topper, the dove of peace, what a beautiful message. Wishing you and Tom, a enjoyable and fun time over the Christmas period…
Best wishes Ivan
Hi, Loi,
You're ahead of me in the decorating department, but I've got the rest of Christmas under control. I have several of the antique hummingbird ornaments, but their wings have not weathered as well as your ornaments. The fence around the tree is charming, and the perfect scale.
This is just the sweetest little thing I've ever seen. A tiny treasure. You did an excellent job, Loi. And the pictures are pretty enough to be a Christmas Card…..Mocha did well!! That darling little fence around the tree is definitely the piece de resistance. Thanks for sharing such a sweet memory of your childhood Christmasses.
xo
Terri
Hello Loi
You tree is absolutely beautiful and how it sits so elegantly in it's setting. You can come over to my house anytime and I will give you full carte blance in trimming it.
Your collection of ornaments makes it very special. How special it must be to be one of 12 children. I am No. 3 or 7 children.
Have a wonderful and preaceful Christmas
Helen xx
As always, I enjoy your posts so much, Loi. Your tree is lovely and I'm so happy to see a photo of your dog, Mocha. What a cutie! We are getting ready to decorate our tree this afternoon. I'm so excited to unwrap the ornaments — each year it's like rediscovering little treasures. We collect vintage ornaments too, but mostly colorful ones. I adore your hummingbird ornament. It's precious.
Claudia
Your tree is beautiful, Loi! A table-top tree seems so much more manageable than hauling a huge tree into (and then out of) the house. Your tree reminds me of an old-fashioned Christmas–so charming with the fence and the snow. I love the soft colors and mercury glass ornaments. You have an extensive collection of ornaments!
Best wishes to you!
-Deborah
Loi,
The tree is beautiful and magical and the little fence made me sigh-what a delightful addition to a tabletop tree!
~R
Oh Loi! Gorgeous! I love the green fence so much!!! Just gorgeous!!!
Love this! Such a pretty tabletop tree!
It's no surprise that your tree is utterly beautiful and perfect. As someone who has never had one, I have always imagined that I would want one all silver and green, just like yours. And the fence is just so amazing too!
Dear Loi,
Thank you for sharing both your childhood family tree and your stunning current tree. Isn't it amazing how both, although so different, can be so deeply meaningful and special?! I have to agree with everyone above and tell you how beautiful your fence and gate look with your tree– perfect! I hope you're getting a bit of time to enjoy the fruits of the season.
Warm regards,
Erika
Loi, you could literally make a bare twig beautiful! No matter what you do…everything you touch turns into something glamorous and has us all wanting to be just like you! You have impeccable taste and a flare that I truly admire! Merry Early Christmas! Love your tree…Love the vintage ornaments…LOVE it when you talk about your big family! Love you, too!
Carolyn
Thank you so much, Carolyn! I really appreciate your kind words!! Loi
I love your elegant restraint!
Your spaces are sublime.
You are a great influence on me!!!
Merry Christmas
Xo
Just exquisite, Loi. I wish you could just pop over here and instruct the staff here at the condo, who will perform their abomination in the coming days. I wiil, as previously do my best to forestall such a thing happening, but my endeavours last last to do just that were thwarted by some overzealous "overdecorator". Que sera, sera, whatever will tree, will tree etc.
Thank you, Columnist! I would love to see a photo of the condo tree 🙂 Do share with us!
I have always let the children decorate our tree. They, of course, like OTT EVERYTHING so well before the twelfth night it's garish charm drives me crazy! This tree I could happily live with all year…elegant, serene and understated….I bet the Blessed Sacrament secretly hope you will decorate their tree too 🙂
They were so glad to get rid of me as I must have inspected every tree before deciding on my little guy 🙂
Dear Loi,
You have created a lovely tree.
I like the VIctorian fencing around it – I have never seen that before. I shall now have to be on the look out myself! I also like the wishbone decoration.
The tree looks very nice when lit as well.
Decorating the tree is on my agenda for this weekend.
Bye for now
Kirk
I love that you cut away many of the branches to open it up. That made all the difference. Your ornaments would make me nervous to handle. They are stunning and obviously non-replaceable. Good thing Mocha doesn't jump up on that table. I just love trees on tables. Perfect.
Oh that hummingbird ornie is SO BEAUTIFUL! My second time here, I can see even more details and those pine cone ornies from Germany are precious, Loi!
Thank you for coming to visit….I thought I saw a twinkling light coming my way….it was YOU!
Happy day! Anita
Your tree is gorgeous Loi! I love your collection of vintage ornaments. Thank you for sharing your lovely home.
It is equally as beautiful as I knew it would be. Just love the vintage ornaments, and and the dove of peace is the perfect tree topper. There is such a wonderful feel to every image you show. I'm always excited to see your name in my inbox!! Happy Monday ~
Delightful. I love the idea of opening up the tree a bit by removing every third branch. I also love the charming fence around the base.
Loi-
You are a genius, friend! I love how you trimmed out part of the limbs. The perfect look, and the ornaments are stunning. Another fabulous post.
Happy Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
your tree in all its tone on tone glory looks magical.
is the fabric at top annie selke's scramble? i have used it in citrus and chocolate here in a few rooms.
joy to you, loi.
michele
Loi- can I cry?!! This is so beautiful. I put up my Christmas tree yesterday and my house looks like a hot mess!! I am having a party here on Saturday and I was forced to put up the wax paper ornaments with ironed crayons in them that my husband made as a child! I just have to laugh every year that I put on the ornaments. My favorites are the white poodle ornament collection that I have- haha!! You are amazing!!! Move to Newport beach!! Xoxo
Loi, your tree is beautiful!!! I love it! Your fence!!! Snow! I love your antique ornaments. Oh that hummingbird! I'm blessed to have some of my grandmother's ornaments, she loved Christmas and birds. Thanks for sharing your precious Christmas memories! Your tree brings back memories for me – my brother and I knew to find the airiest tree on the farm. We have white lights but I love the large color bulbs from childhood. Hi sweet Mocha! :))
have a wonderful week Loi! xo Robin
Well there's Mocha!! I've been waiting to see one of your pups 🙂
Loi, your tree is perfect and what a great idea to thin it out. Our local tree farm has gorgeous, full trees.. unfortunately you can't see through them (you have to see the ornaments!). Speaking of ornaments, yours are spectacular. The little bird you are holding is the sweetest and the colors work perfectly with your decor. I'd like to do a clean sweep and change out some of the silly ornaments that my family has acquired over the years but I'm afraid my family would not be happy with me 🙂
Using the burlap and faux snow around the base is genius! I may be copying your idea because my tree skirt is outdated.
Your home is looking so festive Loi. Thanks for sharing glimpses of all the beauty. xxleslie
Loi, Your tree is simply amazing. Seeing how far I had to scroll down to make a comment; I am not the only one that thinks this! That hummingbird is sooooo cute. I will have to keep my eye open for one of those in the future. -Tonya
Lovely Christmas tree! Happy winter, Loi.
Hugs and good wishes.
Linda sua árvore. Que belas lembrança essa época nos traz. Minha família é pequena, mas faz muita bagunças. parece que tem umas 30 pessoas. Somos 5 irmãos. É uma alegria esse encontro de fim de ano. Sua casa é linda, se tu visse a minha ia se assustar com tantas coisas que tenho. Uma hora vou colocar muitas coisas fora. Fomos ao Uruguai um paós vizinho e lembrei de ti. Lá tem muitas antiguidades. Eu penso que tu gostaria de lá.
Tenha um feliz Natal. Que Deus te dê muita saúde e felicidade.
Hi Loi, you have captured the perfect "tone"., both in sentiment and visually …..your vintage ornaments are very beautiful, and they look soft and subtle on your sweet table top tree. The small enclosure and gate, lovely…it is nice to hear all the small, personal stories associated with Christmas and our ties to family this time of year. Mocha is a charmer!
N.xo
Hi Loi, greetings from LA.
Your Christmas tree is just stunning!as is Mocha, by the way. I am sure the church loves your support. My tree went up last week and could use your touch. I adore the small fence + all the ornaments. Have a wonderful Monday. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Your Christmas tree is sooooooo beautiful and I just loved that you used all those antique ornaments and Mocha too 🙂
Loi your tree is so beautiful -i love your collection of antique ornaments. Ours are all Italian from Neiman marcus and we get a few every year (thats why the tree was rather bare and I made up for it with EXTRA lights -haha).
It looks beautiful….I love the table top idea and the gate is wonderful! I have been looking for a Charlie Brown tree… like the fake ones at Pottery Barn, but real….I haven't been able to find one. I might have to do what you did and just thin it out until its what I want!
so beautiful Loi! Love the quiet mood of your tree! So perfect for your peaceful home, Merry Christmas to YOU!!
xo Kathysue
Lovely – lovely, Loi! All these antique German "X-mas pieces" bring back every year memories of my childhood. Have a small collection myself, and are more than pleased that you love them as well! Here we are – again something we have in common 🙂
And funny enough – just started to prepare a post for this week with old mercury pieces (Bauernsilber) and a few of my old Christmas decoration. "Two souls – one mind" as we say in Germany. Well – you are ahead of me :)!
But will certainly create a link to your wonderful blog!
Love your Christmas tree! Love the whole post, just simply charming and certainly inspiring to every one!
A bientôt and warmest greetings,
Karin
LOVE you tree Loi! It so charming maybe… even more so because of it's size!
Your color palette is elegant as always and I love your wonderful vintage ornament collection!
Mocha is such a charmer!
I hope you and Tom have a wonderful Christmas!
Blessings to you both
Donna
As always just beautiful! I love every detail especially the hummingbird and the lyre! So thoughtfully curated! That Christmas tree fence is the cutest ever!! I am going to be on the hunt for one of those!
Loi, I love this post and how you have shared your beautiful collection of antique glass ornaments. I also agree with you that live trees always look better if there is room for the ornaments to hang.
Have a glorious month! Liz
Such a charming tree, Loi. I would expect nothing less from you.
XO, Victoria
loi, your wishbone ornament is a treasure.
Hi Loi, when my children are all grown up, I want a tree that looks like yours. It's lovely! Until then my kiddos love the red & green, gold and sparkly. Interestingly enough, like you, my 9yr old likes to see the tree trunk.
Your tree and ornaments brought a smile to me. It's both peaceful and festive. I hope the holiday season is everything you hope.
Keri
Loi, you did not disappoint; love, love the tree! The ornaments are tre's beautiful!! Happy Holidays! XX
Loi how splendid! I adore your tree and the very special collection of ornaments!
The Hummingbird is so unique!
2012 Artists Series,
Karena
Art by Karena
Really beautiful Loi….I'm also a fan of "simple beauty". Your tree is lovely and I especially like your collection of vintage ornaments that make it so special. Well Done! That Mocha is pretty cute too :)!
XO
Sarah
Exquisite , the old ornaments are charming. I like to use small but many ornaments. I'm so behind this year, but I have got my mantle with silver and greens together. When my Christmas show work is done ill get busy with the rest!
Tree is great. You are so disciplined. For years, clear glass ornaments is all that is supposed to be on my tree, but colored ones and silver ones creep their way in. You, on the other hand, stick to your plan. And, I adore the cast iron tree fence.
Off to make cookie dough.
xo,
b
Loi,
I may have told you that I am one of seven. I learned so many tips growing up in a large family and sing my Mother's praises each day. Stop by and see the wunderbar christmas cookies. I think they are just right for your tone on tone world. What a stunning tree and I adore how simply chic you have decked out your foyer and your dog.
Comfort and Joy to you.
pve
Ok – after seeing your amazing setup, I don't like my tree anymore hahaha! It's perfection Loi!! I just love the whole aesthetic you've created… a brilliant mind you are! You're childhood Christmas traditions sound magical; creating wonderful memories is so important!
xoxo
Desiree
The tree is very cute and has a lot of sparkle. Mocha is so adorable, please give Mocha a hug on my behalf.
It's a wonderful tree! franki
Such a beautiful Christmas tree! I love . I love your antique Victorian painted cast iron tree fence! You are so very talented
xo
simonetta
Loi, I'm pinning your tree! I have been loving tabletop trees lately. It seems much more manageable and a very pretty look, especially piled with presents under the table. I tend to like really large glass ornaments too so they are probably safer on a tabletop but I do worry they would dwarf a tree and topple it over! Your home is looking festive!!
Loi, your silver ornaments are so elegant. I like the Hummingbird one especially. Our Christmas tree this year is decorated with birds too. Your Christmas tree is so elegant . Adding the gate is so creative. Mocha looked so comfortable underneath the tree and he chose the right spot. But what is it with dogs and posing underneath the tree? My dog, Barkley did the same thing. After we finished decorating our Christmas tree, he walked underneath the tree to pose for a picture. So funny!
Dear Loi,
I am so happy and enthusiastic when you visit my blog, thanks for the nice comment! I read your kind comment in Ivan's blog. Thank you. Fun to meet you there also 🙂 I do not know what more to say that is already have been said, here above. I admire your great taste for decorating. Having seen your beautiful Christmas tree, I have searching the Internet for antique Christmas ornaments. I like the character it exudes. Much more impressive than new decorations! Hope my collection will look as impressive as yours one day, also the beautiful collection of mercury glass. Lucky you.
Wish you and your husband also a wonderful time ahead ~ Warm greetings from Aina
Merry Christmas! Loi, your tree is so simply beautiful! You have such a wonderful touch. I was also interested to learn that you were from such a large family. I know it must be so wonderful to share your life with so many special people. I wanted to take a minute to wish you a blessed and joyful Christmas and let you know how much I always enjoy your posts. Merry Christmas!
Loi,
I loved all the lead in to the tree and then the big reveal!!! I completely understand why you pruned the tree back, as in your final result, the ornaments really take center stage. And, I love your tree topper as well as your tree bottom!!! And what a good Mocha to sit still for the magazine worthy finale!!!
Merry merry to you and Tom!
xoxo Elizabeth
Loi, I am not sure if I commented when I first saw this post, but it has been on my mind all week! I linked to this beautiful post in my own post today on our Christmas trees this year.
Next year, inspired by this post, I am determined to have a tabletop tree – I keep thinking how nice it would be to have a tree in our family room (although I can look through the windows and see the living room tree, since our house is 'L' shaped). I think a tabletop tree would be ideal! I need to think this through a bit, though, because water would definitely be a problem on the table between my two chairs. Maybe I will put a skirted table there during the Christmas season.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Holly
Oh my goodness, dear Loi, GLORIOUS is the word that comes to mind…
You are a master of balance, grace, and elegance…this is so beautiful…
And I love the precious little gate! Thank you so much for sharing family memories, and the exquisite space in which new memories are made…
Joy and Peace to you!
xoxo,
– Irina
I adore your tabletop tree. I bought two this year, but wish they were larger in size. I should have thought about buying a large tree and cutting it from the top. I will remember this for next year! Your tree is just magical and the gate is the icing on the cake!
Loi, your tree is beautiful. I love a fragrant Fraiser fur – that's what we have in our home. From the shining ornaments to the peaceful dove, it is perfection and looks so pretty in the setting of your lovely home. Thank you so much for sharing the photos with us!
Beautiful! And you've got no shortage of comments to prove that your tree is well loved! 🙂 I love that you made it your own in so many ways…trimming, thinning, the fabulous fence surrounding it! I had to laugh when you said you had fake wrapped presents under your tree. I did, too! Merry, merry!
Oh dear Loi, I can't possibly read all the others' comments because there are so many but I love that gate as well! I am (still) working on my crazy idea – a ceiling-high (I always wanted one) DIY Christmas tree…can't find anything suitable yet to top it which is why the post is late.
Loi, I just love your tree and especially how you added the snow to the branches and that gate at the bottom. Lovely. I swear it's designs like this that will have me doing a table top tree one of these seasons.
Greetings Loi,
Well, after a few weeks absence, crossing the Atlantic to spend the holidays with family in Canada, I am thrilled to be greeted by the most beautiful of Christmas trees! This festive fir is fresh and fun! And that fence…fabulous!
Have a happy weekend,
Poppy xo
Wow beautiful! Such lovely vintage ornaments and the gate is beautiful detail! I came across your blog from Things That Inspire. Haus and Home
What a beautiful tree Loi and well done on getting Mocha to sit still for the photo. I can just imagine trying to get Sookie to sit still for a nano second, all hell would break loose.
I live the idea of using the antique ornaments. Why didn't I think of that!
Di
xxxxx
my oh my loi, what a stunning decor! i too trimmed a frasier 1/3 this year to see the trunk, it is beautiful and sets off the ornaments so nicely. and what lovely ornaments you have collected. no doubt mocha appreciates it all
wishing you a blessed holiday season loi
debra
Bello il tuo albero!! buona serata…ciao
I am thinking that the hummingbird ornament is about the most perfect thing I have ever seen. I could not put that on a tree, I am afraid that I would break it. It is so lovely.
Loi, you and Tom have the most beautiful Christmas tree! The vintage ornaments, sweet Mocha, even the ornament boxes are all so lovely! And my father was the eldest of 12, how fun it must be for you to be from such a large family!
xo Kat
Gorgeous beautiful breath taking tree… and blog!
Hello there dearest Loi!
I just wanted to thank you for coming by to say hello. YOU MUST BE HAVING FUN UNPACKING a new shipment! And let me tell you, your mercury glass collection inspired me. I have some ornaments hanging from my chandeliers and gray ribbon flowing from the crystals and it is fantastic. I hope you and Tom are enjoying your home – it is so perfect.
Happy week leading up to the grand moment! Anita
Your Christmas tree is beautiful, Loi. I love your jingle bells and tiny french horn ornaments — adorable! We used to cut our own trees, but since living here, we've bought our trees from our church too. I never thought to trim out some branches, but have always had it in my mind that is what the perfect Christmas tree should look like — that is brilliant!
I did it! I finished my DIY tree, Loi! Tadaaaaa!
Oh, Loi, your tree is absolutely lovely!! I enjoyed getting to see this so much. Merry Christmas!
Really nice article on Christmas ..Thanks
The Christmas trees that people sale today are trimmed from birth, hair cuts to make them full. I don't like them. I want the ones I remember from childhood. Limbs far apart, trunk showing. They are what the tree sellers call today, un-sheered. They are Balsam Firs and so hard to find. You did a good job and I am so glad i found your Blog. Merry Christmas from My Blog to Yours. Richard from My old Historic House.
Nice blog. I will keep visiting this website very often. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
——————————–
Thanh Le – HomeDesignLove.Com
http://www.homedesignlove.com
Hi Loi,
We have just got back from The Hobbit. WOW, my mind has blown completely, I am sitting here open mouthed thinking "what just happened"? Totally magical, you were right!
I m so happy to have met you this year and look forward to each and every post. I can't wait to see what goodies you have obtained. I will want every one I know.
The happiest of Christmas celebrations to you and your loved ones.
Much love.
Di
xxxx
Hello Loi, What a lovely tree you have! I have been following and enjoying your blog for some time now but haven't commented so far. We, too, collect vintage Christmas ornaments, something of an obsession of ours. Every year our tree has a different theme. This year it is vintage silver ornaments, pinsecones gathered from our property, and little birds. Your tree reminded me of ours. Do come for a look, I think you might like it! Reggie
Loi, Your Christmas tree is beautiful. Of Course you PRUNED it! The collection of vintage ornaments, so lovely. I like that you bought a larger tree and cut the trunk! Great idea. I'm thinking about a table top tree, next year too, especially after seeing yours…love it! The fence is a wonderful touch. Everything you do is beautiful. I hope you had a memorable Christmas!
25 for dinner? Wow! Impressive, Monica
Between you and Steve I can never do a tree again…..you've both ruined it for me with you gorgeous trees!!! That tree is just the cutest ever…..tabletop trees are now the only way!
Your beautiful tree makes my heart smile! I LOVE everything about it!
Can you tell me about your lovely curtains? I have curtains on the brain these days, as I need new ones!
Awww that' a very beautiful christmas tree! I love the details and the ornaments you used. Great idea!
Happy holidays!
Anne Walker
Christmas tree decorating ideas
Hello. Have you already decided for your Christmas tree topper this year? Hehehe. I am also scouting for something new, unique and really attractive so my guests would be impressive. Keep sharing and bookmarked this helpful page. 😀 Merry Christmas in advance
Beautiful Happy Christmas Tree Images
Love those little French horns and the tree fence. So cute.
Thanks admin There is an amazing stuff. I have found best ideas and christmas greeting for Christmas 2018.
DR AKHERE gives you 100% guaranteed results for all kind of spells till date. I solve lot of cases with the power of my gods. All problems solve by power of DR AKHERE. I need your faith & trust. every thing will work out for your good. remember my spell cast have no side effect and you don't need to do any blood sacrifice before you can get what you need.
CONTACT: DRAKHERE66@gmail.com call or whatsapp +2348129175848 you are welcome