Guest Picks: Quirky Christmas Trees
Take a break from the traditional tannenbaum and opt instead for one of these Christmas tree originals
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Holidays are all about traditions. But there's no reason why your decorating has to look traditional if that's not your cup of tea.
Aesthetics aside, there are plenty of reasons why a traditional pine tree may not suit you. Maybe you live in an apartment where there's no room to put up a tree. Maybe you'll be traveling to spend Christmas elsewhere, but you still want to put up some kind of tree. Maybe you just don't have time to assemble and decorate a full tree. Maybe you live, as I do, in a climate that's not conducive to a real tree. Or maybe you just really love decorating your home for Christmas and want a secondary tree for another room in the house!
Whatever your reasons, there are many options for those seeking nontraditional Christmas trees. From the space-saving to the stunning, there's something for every style. — Alicia from Atypical Type A
Aesthetics aside, there are plenty of reasons why a traditional pine tree may not suit you. Maybe you live in an apartment where there's no room to put up a tree. Maybe you'll be traveling to spend Christmas elsewhere, but you still want to put up some kind of tree. Maybe you just don't have time to assemble and decorate a full tree. Maybe you live, as I do, in a climate that's not conducive to a real tree. Or maybe you just really love decorating your home for Christmas and want a secondary tree for another room in the house!
Whatever your reasons, there are many options for those seeking nontraditional Christmas trees. From the space-saving to the stunning, there's something for every style. — Alicia from Atypical Type A
by Hard to Find
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How fun is this? The Holey tree is a contemporary statement that is still family friendly.
It may be a pricey initial investment, but over the long run, it's still cheaper than buying real trees every year.
It may be a pricey initial investment, but over the long run, it's still cheaper than buying real trees every year.
by ferm LIVING
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Most contemporary Christmas trees have more of a stylized tree shape. Don't you love how this one has a more true-to-life pine silhouette, but in an unusual material and style?
This cardboard tree would be the perfect addition to an organic monochrome interior this Christmas.
This cardboard tree would be the perfect addition to an organic monochrome interior this Christmas.
by Marks & Spencer
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Oh my! This one is so elegant.
If you have a traditional tree in your living room, this would be the perfect graceful yet festive addition to your formal lounge room.
If you have a traditional tree in your living room, this would be the perfect graceful yet festive addition to your formal lounge room.
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by possibiliTree
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| This is the perfect tree for young couples. Use it bare the first year and call it minimalism, then fill it out each year with your growing collection of ornaments. Best of all, it all dismantles down to just a few piles of sticks, so you don't have to give up your precious closet space to store it. |
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OK, so it might look more like a rocket ship than a Christmas tree, but hear me out. This clever tree is designed to be transformed any which way using lights, garlands, ornaments and toppers.
If you're like me and like changing up your decorations every year, this could be the tree for you. Check out the Jubiltree website for decorating ideas.
If you're like me and like changing up your decorations every year, this could be the tree for you. Check out the Jubiltree website for decorating ideas.
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Stars are one of my favorite motifs of the season, so why not have an entire tree made of them?
This stunning design by Modernica is available in both full and tabletop versions.
This stunning design by Modernica is available in both full and tabletop versions.
by Tannenboing
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I love this tree — and not just because of its punny name. The Tannenboing is an aluminum spiral that is suspended from the ceiling.
Leave it as is for a space-age look, or wrap it in garlands and hang ornaments from it for a more festive vibe.
Leave it as is for a space-age look, or wrap it in garlands and hang ornaments from it for a more festive vibe.
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My family's Christmas tree always had a star topper and plenty of twinkling fairy lights. Lose everything else, and this lamp still says "Christmas tree" to me.
It's the perfect multitasking piece for small spaces or for a feature in addition to a proper tree.
It's the perfect multitasking piece for small spaces or for a feature in addition to a proper tree.
by Pottery Barn
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This woodsy twig tree might look right at home outside, but bring it indoors, and it's suddenly an unexpected twist on a Christmas tree.
Use it in a country home or to add some nature to a more stark interior.
Use it in a country home or to add some nature to a more stark interior.
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Where I am in Australia, a lot of the Christmas traditions — heavy food, dark colors, snow themes — aren't particularly appropriate for the climate. The light and airy look of this timber cutout tree is perfect for the summer celebrations, and there's no real tree to keep alive when the temperature is pushing 40 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, it also has a very Nordic style, so those in cooler climates can pair it with a sheepskin tree base and plenty of candlelight.
On the other hand, it also has a very Nordic style, so those in cooler climates can pair it with a sheepskin tree base and plenty of candlelight.
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If you love the pine tree look but think it's a bit traditional and stuffy for you, why not opt for a tree in a fun color?
This showstopping pink tree comes with built-in lights. Add some sparkling silver, clear and white ornaments, and you'll have the makings of a fairytale Christmas tree.
This showstopping pink tree comes with built-in lights. Add some sparkling silver, clear and white ornaments, and you'll have the makings of a fairytale Christmas tree.
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If the pink is a bit bright and girly for your family's tastes, you could always move to the dark side.
A black tree, while not recommended for a room that is cramped and/or dark, would be a dramatic focal point for a bright, contemporary open-plan space.
A black tree, while not recommended for a room that is cramped and/or dark, would be a dramatic focal point for a bright, contemporary open-plan space.
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by Pottery Barn
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| For me, a Christmas tree is all about the ornaments. If you have a large ornament collection, you'll love making them the stars on this unusual tree. Go traditional (as in this scene), or choose a more contemporary palette. Better yet, mix it up every year. |
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This is a great idea for families with young children. There will be no more worrying that little hands will break precious ornaments — they can enjoy helping decorate the tree with stickers instead.
When the season is over, simply put it in the recycling — no storage required.
When the season is over, simply put it in the recycling — no storage required.
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If I wasn't such an ornament junkie, I would snap up this laser-cut tabletop tree in a heartbeat.
Its small size, flat packing and lack of need for any ornaments make it the ideal little tree for those living in cramped quarters.
Its small size, flat packing and lack of need for any ornaments make it the ideal little tree for those living in cramped quarters.
by Save-on-crafts
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I wouldn't normally use the words "elegant" and "glitter" in the same sentence, but Christmas is a time when there is no such thing as too much sparkle.
Add this to a dining table for a breathtaking centerpiece if you have high ceilings, or prop it up on a side table for the perfect small-space tree.
Add this to a dining table for a breathtaking centerpiece if you have high ceilings, or prop it up on a side table for the perfect small-space tree.
by eLightBulbs
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While there's definitely no white Christmas in Australia where I live, I do love using white as part of a festive color palette.
A white tree with sparkling lights is the perfect base on which to build any decorating theme. Go all white for a truly magical feeling, red for traditional decor or hot pink and aqua for a fun look.
A white tree with sparkling lights is the perfect base on which to build any decorating theme. Go all white for a truly magical feeling, red for traditional decor or hot pink and aqua for a fun look.
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Small living rooms can instantly feel cramped when you add a large tree.
This contemporary acrylic tree will still give the impression of a full tree, but because it's clear, it will recede to the background.
This contemporary acrylic tree will still give the impression of a full tree, but because it's clear, it will recede to the background.
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This striking spiral-shaped tree will fit right into either a traditional or more modern home. The built-in lights and lack of branches will make setup a cinch. Leave it bare to show off the shape, or add your favorite ornaments.
It comes as a set of two, so you can either put the smaller one in another room, or if you have plenty of space, you can have a mini forest in your living room.
It comes as a set of two, so you can either put the smaller one in another room, or if you have plenty of space, you can have a mini forest in your living room.
by Save-on-crafts
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Back when I was living with my parents, our cat loved Christmas. Or rather, she loved eating strands of tinsel and playing with ornaments on the bottom of the Christmas tree.
This tall tree has no lower branches, making it perfect for those with playful pets or curious toddlers. The crystal branches, fitted with LED lights, will be the ideal decoration for your Christmas Eve family gathering right through to your New Year's Eve cocktail soiree.
Next: 15 Spectacular Christmas Palettes Beyond Red and Green
This tall tree has no lower branches, making it perfect for those with playful pets or curious toddlers. The crystal branches, fitted with LED lights, will be the ideal decoration for your Christmas Eve family gathering right through to your New Year's Eve cocktail soiree.
Next: 15 Spectacular Christmas Palettes Beyond Red and Green
Ideabook published on Dec. 6, 2012.
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@Tricia What a smart idea!
@kennedytarheel I love magnolias, I'm sure your display looks stunning.
I'd love to see an ideabook with interesting outdoor Christmas light displays.
We ordered the Classico in green and really like it! It was really simple to put together and is fully recyclable. We added a string of white lights and some red ornaments for a beautiful tabletop tree!
http://mermag.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-diy-ikea-ribba-picture-ledge-tree.html
@luttrell: LOVE, LOVE your ladder tree!