It’s the best time of the year and nothing gets me more excited and in the spirit of Christmas like decorating a Christmas tree. Especially ones that have a stunning realism like the ones from Balsam Hill. Last year I received my first Balsam Hill tree and it was truly an experience. I was hooked as soon as I opened the packaging. Their commitment to quality and excellence shows in every detail along the way! Balsam Hill trees also come with a warranty and a thoughtful gesture of gloves to help save your hands when fluffing the tree.

Since I put up trees early in November, I always start the Christmas season with leaving the trees bare for a little bit, just with the lights. It’s so peaceful and beautiful and so simplistic. It speaks a lot about the quality and realism of Balsam Hill when their trees look just as beautiful without all the glitz. For this years tree, that I put in this vintage wooden shipping crate that I found at a local shop, I picked out the Sanibel Spruce, you can find it here. I picked out the 5 foot size knowing that I would put it in this crate to elevate it to a 7 foot tree. It also came in pre-lit which will always be the option that I choose for any tree, unless we are cutting one down from a tree farm.

I love the tree snuggled up against the sofa to create such a cozy atmosphere, right next to the painting that was created by the talented artist, Mary Gregory. She painted our homestead in such a beautiful way. Mary’s art reflects the peaceful nature around us and with her living on a farm, her artwork is inspired by farm life. I’m drawn to her simplistic approach to capturing the beauty of the country and nature.

Now to the decorating of the tree and if you love vintage as much as I do, then the best way you mix the old with the new is to find new things that have the look and nostalgia of the past. I use this method of mine all the time and it truly works! Even when I’m choosing my ornaments from Balsam Hill. When I posted pictures of my decorated tree on my Instagram so many of the comments were people saying these ornaments were the same ones they grew up with or the comments had so many saying that they loved the vintage ornaments. Nope, not vintage at all but that’s where my little simple method comes in and works. So many people were bringing up memories from their Christmas past. I love that, and that’s why I also say good decorating evokes the senses, the feelings it creates. That’s why putting so much care and intention into decorating our homes should matter, since it evokes emotion.

I first decorated our tree with a couple strands of the Balsam Hill Jeweled Christmas Tree Garland. Then I added ribbons to each ornament for them to hang pretty on the tree. This was from the Balsam Hill Christmas Cheer Vintage Set plus I added in the Christmas Cheer Nativity Set so it could have the feel as I collected the ornaments over time. They both are so gorgeous and filled with such detail.

Next, I added in a simple DIY. Which, you might know already how much I adore vintage postcards so I added a thick red rope and used vintage clothespins to attach the postcards to simply. Then I just strung it all around the tree. These postcards from the early 1900’s just add so much nostalgia to the tree and ties in the vintage look that I was going for.

Lastly, I add in these battery operated light (candle look alike) clips to the tree. There again, bringing in the look of the past but with something new, like battery operated, plus with a remote. I can’t even imagine how they once used real candles on a tree….crazy! You can find the candle lights here.

There’s nothing more classic then a red and green decorated tree that my family loves to bring in the festive cheer of celebrating the Christmas season! With Balsam Hill’s great line up of abundance to choose from we were able to create the perfect classic tree for us to enjoy. This Sanibel Spruce is my favorite tree to date, like EVER! I especially love the gaps between the branches they created when designing this tree to give it more a natural realistic look. This tree has their True Needle technology which makes it come to life!