I have decided that there are as many different themes to the Christmas tree as there are ornaments .

Throughout this holiday season as I go around visiting friends and family I love to see the many variations of the ‘tannenbaum’.   Whether it is a pine, fir or balsam; artificial or faux; or even a corrugated cardboard tree all say Merry Christmas in their own personal way.

Here are just a few of the trees I would like to share.

The first tree is mine.  This year we decided to go back to ‘basics’ with a tree we cut from deep within the forest near out cottage.  It is a beautiful tree with a ‘gentle’ look to it but subsequently not strong enough to hold the weight of most of my ornaments.  So we made paper ornaments and I bought mini-mini lights.  And I thought a tree like this just had to have a Hudson Bay blanket for a tree skirt.

This is my friend’s tree.  As space was a restriction this narrow faux tree covered in snow and decorated with many glass ornaments that reflect the glow of warm blue lights this tree is perfect.  I love it!

This tree is in a friend’s home where Hanukkah and Christmas are both acknowledged.  Tree ornaments of Santa Claus hang next to Dreidels and Star of David.  But the coolest thing is that when my friend had me put on a pair of special 3-D glasses all the mini-lights on the tree appeared as Star of David.  Truly a Chrismukkah tree!

This photo was taken through the lens of the 3-D glasses.

Of course leave it to IKEA to come up with their interpretation of a ‘flat-packed’ Christmas tree.  The JULMYS Christmas tree is made from cardboard that can be decorated with the accompanying stickers or your own ornaments.  No fallen needles to clean up and easily stored away until next year.   How simple is that!?

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.

So….what does your Christmas tree look like?