O Christmas Tree

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you set up your Christmas tree yet? If not, you may want to read a helpful article by Bob Tedeschi that appeared in yesterday's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/" target="_blank">New York Times</a>. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/garden/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-den.html?_r=0" target="_blank">If a Tree Falls in the Den</a> (December 5, 2013) offers tips for anyone who has struggled to fit a Christmas tree into a stand. " 'Trees always look smaller outdoors, in a lot or a forest,' " Chad Oliver, a professor at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, told Mr. Tedeschi. " 'So have some way to measure it, so you can be honest with yourself.' While you're at it, measure the opening in your tree stand and the distance between the screws or clamps, so you'll know which of your prospective tree's lower branches will have to be cut." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After you have successfully set up your tree, you will be ready to decorate, so I offer the following photos for inspiration . . .</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP-RTdvxnSyQNNvcO0ZE83qsA5mn1ZfwYcz6Hdoz941iifOh5q5JScOmwPsaiBjvIWDHhrSdRijY3QcQyFmVfVbY2kbaXAoJNTpabGHysCPsRml9PGwOOvWxli3wVRBWKyFSGEo9cZjbx/s1600/101091591_ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP-RTdvxnSyQNNvcO0ZE83qsA5mn1ZfwYcz6Hdoz941iifOh5q5JScOmwPsaiBjvIWDHhrSdRijY3QcQyFmVfVbY2kbaXAoJNTpabGHysCPsRml9PGwOOvWxli3wVRBWKyFSGEo9cZjbx/s640/101091591_ss.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A nicely shaped but less full tree gives a room an airy look especially when placed in front of a generous window."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/decorating-christmas-trees_ss67.html" target="_blank">Decorating: Christmas Trees!</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNr0LgNDn36Npmmm4W7gpEWor4ORQvAIw2Efg1kkukKnjkBXiP9ZOurZEiavA22vTrE1HeW13NKu0ixazXbv0YNb4wR2iqvpv2yzClVrzyucg67aDDZEp6quaRArVllK-0Iusrmpo_5Y3/s1600/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNr0LgNDn36Npmmm4W7gpEWor4ORQvAIw2Efg1kkukKnjkBXiP9ZOurZEiavA22vTrE1HeW13NKu0ixazXbv0YNb4wR2iqvpv2yzClVrzyucg67aDDZEp6quaRArVllK-0Iusrmpo_5Y3/s640/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas17.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Italian 17th-c. door surround with mirrored panes. French 18th-c. fauteuil in linen. Child's chair, Italian 17th-c. sconces."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Houston, Texas, home of Kellie and Jeff Tepper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Pamela Pierce, <a href="http://www.ppiercedesigns.com/" target="_blank">Pierce Designs and Associates</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Peter Vitale.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"House Warming" text by Nancy Perot Mulford.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/" target="_blank">Veranda</a> (November - December 2006). </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFdJTuuDbnCvHIy1F1N8-IfiSq8Vd03uA8Z5Luu6VipIpK56UfZy7_gPx-xLFdKFIOkfQgSGyheatXODCBMN5S6VwbA3BmaPoaGPmKPW8atIbvDkbqvGbXj2bHtUJ3GEsvIdeTA_eXA3P/s1600/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFdJTuuDbnCvHIy1F1N8-IfiSq8Vd03uA8Z5Luu6VipIpK56UfZy7_gPx-xLFdKFIOkfQgSGyheatXODCBMN5S6VwbA3BmaPoaGPmKPW8atIbvDkbqvGbXj2bHtUJ3GEsvIdeTA_eXA3P/s640/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas3.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"[Designer Pamela] Pierce eschewed lights and ornaments except for glass balls that sparkle like bubbles caught in the branches. The angel tree-topper is a 17th-century Italian decoration."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Pamela Pierce, </span><a href="http://www.ppiercedesigns.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pierce Designs and Associates</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2003).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E7telhFbROLTqjV8sG7vJmRy39Cm1VPuxUIjyWpI4-EMHy_JkacdTjvc3X8N2sxQU7LRxGIhCZ-lu7b8-SE8Vq-1xy79sU_WbzgsncctvgMCMcMsgECGwammO7xFf6EPLfIPtfaM7oG7/s1600/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E7telhFbROLTqjV8sG7vJmRy39Cm1VPuxUIjyWpI4-EMHy_JkacdTjvc3X8N2sxQU7LRxGIhCZ-lu7b8-SE8Vq-1xy79sU_WbzgsncctvgMCMcMsgECGwammO7xFf6EPLfIPtfaM7oG7/s640/BlogPamelaPierceChristmas8.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The family enjoys snacking on gingerbread men hung from the tree, which can be planted after the holidays."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Pamela Pierce, </span><a href="http://www.ppiercedesigns.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pierce Designs and Associates</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2003).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6icCca1MPdSfVbtMbn3Q0wAxrDFNNFfJ9jFITXr1FtKNxKDYXft8IOazEpI5b5RUfALBIDtQbltADtfd4C6kKvzhJBXFVunEJJS-Jsa_bj1m-UvkyTTednlgCDmyrSkzpC4ImHUj1olrA/s1600/BlogGreenSpacesPamelaPierce+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6icCca1MPdSfVbtMbn3Q0wAxrDFNNFfJ9jFITXr1FtKNxKDYXft8IOazEpI5b5RUfALBIDtQbltADtfd4C6kKvzhJBXFVunEJJS-Jsa_bj1m-UvkyTTednlgCDmyrSkzpC4ImHUj1olrA/s640/BlogGreenSpacesPamelaPierce+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A December drizzle highlights the glow of the windows onto the rear terrace, with its antique limestone fountain and oversized French Anduze urns."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Pamela Pierce, </span><a href="http://www.ppiercedesigns.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pierce Designs and Associates</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2003).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62vGChb6WTsbQkCO4GsGrOHQMIP6I0MPkr0K2QgO5YIgNt1gmqO3Z1OAn_mBfK4zhBQPfKaOPzlBprQ81iL7n8Zq-MVhPL8qUT9FCDx2D62Wt-6BT-rQ7yKyBZ3_Am0BF5RalKfQq71Hg/s1600/BlogOrangeChristmasMichelleStewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62vGChb6WTsbQkCO4GsGrOHQMIP6I0MPkr0K2QgO5YIgNt1gmqO3Z1OAn_mBfK4zhBQPfKaOPzlBprQ81iL7n8Zq-MVhPL8qUT9FCDx2D62Wt-6BT-rQ7yKyBZ3_Am0BF5RalKfQq71Hg/s640/BlogOrangeChristmasMichelleStewart.jpg" width="594" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The dining table features a composition of cake stands with compotes of roses, peonies, and kumquats, wreathed by whimsical snow-covered trees."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Interior design by Michelle Stewart.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2005).</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUh1VpmAGKMU1gT5tTy4oYHR_CFDDJR5PJ8jrQrKIq5bASE6yE6Yf94hFQ1vYb9Yn-m7jpjn3WWtJxrbOKZ6NsDiBqY68Xrf7ZqGARa_rTT5Zw4L41Ko-rjrxzUTFyQEZZZqogiv6Qcal/s1600/BlogMichelleStewartLivingRoom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUh1VpmAGKMU1gT5tTy4oYHR_CFDDJR5PJ8jrQrKIq5bASE6yE6Yf94hFQ1vYb9Yn-m7jpjn3WWtJxrbOKZ6NsDiBqY68Xrf7ZqGARa_rTT5Zw4L41Ko-rjrxzUTFyQEZZZqogiv6Qcal/s640/BlogMichelleStewartLivingRoom2.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Swags of noble fir crown each window, while vintage-inspired white feather trees nestle on a marble-top chest."</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Interior design by Michelle Stewart.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2005).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AQ8DG3gPSQMF1uvy_c68XmYZQ8H_A9ya369L793I4RoaYhNC4IMlEBo1c7zVTPGgj-h7OeS2ytzZVBp0ghTKwHbRMHbc7wzsp2LGJ0dfyQEALfk_mYTexg79iZGU-M8hpoaAtLNWgFEr/s1600/BlogMichelleStewartTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AQ8DG3gPSQMF1uvy_c68XmYZQ8H_A9ya369L793I4RoaYhNC4IMlEBo1c7zVTPGgj-h7OeS2ytzZVBp0ghTKwHbRMHbc7wzsp2LGJ0dfyQEALfk_mYTexg79iZGU-M8hpoaAtLNWgFEr/s640/BlogMichelleStewartTree.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The living room is a subtle symphony of ivory and champagne, with furniture upholstered in creamy mohair, rich silk curtains . . . Swags of noble fir crown each window . . . " </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Interior design by Michelle Stewart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Southern Accents</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> (November - December 2005).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxElM17jpl5rrstxZ7VmKxFWFA1qwCXQftkR9T9MTvSgPMQt7HrDWdbqV0E9cU6i_OEfwWdiWWWQyh5ccYx7lxwh87ed5CpBMLfnSHheht_BlK91vd5lF2XTZU75qnQO3BJCoL8xUzRW86/s1600/kids-bed-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxElM17jpl5rrstxZ7VmKxFWFA1qwCXQftkR9T9MTvSgPMQt7HrDWdbqV0E9cU6i_OEfwWdiWWWQyh5ccYx7lxwh87ed5CpBMLfnSHheht_BlK91vd5lF2XTZU75qnQO3BJCoL8xUzRW86/s640/kids-bed-l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amethyst and icy blue ornaments suit the charming color scheme in daughter Caroline's room. Even the chandelier has lavender crystals."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Interior design by Michelle Stewart.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i>Southern Accents</i> (November - December 2005).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKskoxT1NMbWswmu-WDNraxhODliYDZxoRR-0uusq4wIC9ncGrORYlydwQHsl2OpPZdvNXFjpnsC5WPEfUuk6s78_QK4mP5GL_LShaOAA74tbVVIKvbGDW-FKkqNzMQZVJt7EWPj6_Sm/s1600/6-sendus-1208-xlg-82294169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKskoxT1NMbWswmu-WDNraxhODliYDZxoRR-0uusq4wIC9ncGrORYlydwQHsl2OpPZdvNXFjpnsC5WPEfUuk6s78_QK4mP5GL_LShaOAA74tbVVIKvbGDW-FKkqNzMQZVJt7EWPj6_Sm/s640/6-sendus-1208-xlg-82294169.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'We always throw a big party for about 400 people, and I started putting trees throughout the house to get guests to circulate and not congregate in the one room with the one tree. Most of them are live and in the root ball and get replanted on my farm after the holidays, in a spot we call Christmas Tree Corner. We put the little purple one in my niece Lauren's room about nine years ago. She never wanted to go to bed and leave the tree in the living room, so she got her own. I made it purple because that went with the lavender-print <a href="http://www.kathrynireland.com/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ireland</a> wallpaper in her room.' "</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://www.barrydixon.com/" target="_blank">Barry Dixon</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/christmas-tree-decoration-ideas-pictures-1208?click=img_sr#slide-6" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas</a>" by Shax Riegler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06XqnsHI4dD8N0kTYXYrCZhOhxEiDZlzp58zP-lo1b6GuHOnv838uW1HUikEU3cq81xAp_DN31bmfjhbBfT646QMnL193U7SUlxIKmdG1HbwflpJ8Ov8jM2nuFoNDJ-HyYXv0a_lc94Cb/s1600/8-sendus-1208-xlg-88881563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06XqnsHI4dD8N0kTYXYrCZhOhxEiDZlzp58zP-lo1b6GuHOnv838uW1HUikEU3cq81xAp_DN31bmfjhbBfT646QMnL193U7SUlxIKmdG1HbwflpJ8Ov8jM2nuFoNDJ-HyYXv0a_lc94Cb/s640/8-sendus-1208-xlg-88881563.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'The tree in the kitchen is edible, a tradition my mother kept when I was growing up. It's decorated with cookies, ribbon candy, gumdrops, and other old-fashioned candies that people can eat right off the tree. The strings of popcorn and cranberries go outside for the birds and squirrels when we're done. I love a big, glitzy tree, but the little ones really capture my heart every year.' "</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://www.barrydixon.com/" target="_blank">Barry Dixon</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/christmas-tree-decoration-ideas-pictures-1208?click=img_sr#slide-7" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas</a>" by Shax Riegler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKJuSY4mXLgKAXZe4K3zJh6o7YSyuyUZR3Z4T4eL7Xp4iVpGeJwWFCxnji-I-l2DubSK5shyXkl0hDeF5TjN0aE1BrhiBPYZKC6EV9wsio92yxBGvvXfv6IdnvyTpdtzmaYxKrgjwmeaf/s1600/101546172_ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKJuSY4mXLgKAXZe4K3zJh6o7YSyuyUZR3Z4T4eL7Xp4iVpGeJwWFCxnji-I-l2DubSK5shyXkl0hDeF5TjN0aE1BrhiBPYZKC6EV9wsio92yxBGvvXfv6IdnvyTpdtzmaYxKrgjwmeaf/s640/101546172_ss.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Greek statues flank the double doors to the dining room. They were inspired by the Caryatid statues of the Porch of the Maidens, the Erechteion Temple at the Acropolis."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea apartment of Manhattan designer Christopher Hyland.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Christopher Hyland, <a href="http://www.christopherhyland.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Christopher Hyland Inc.</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by John Bessler.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Amy Elbert.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/apartment-decorating-christmas_ss2.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Visions of Sugarplums</a>" </span>produced by Ann McVicker.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEnsci1MgVilEAjLKf6xTDlZLS4-ApoxyN4r5kwU1awQTopHqypeJQ9Qm3yIqYPR217O9l8UwMnBoHP0zMgLUfPjD3LPWoDEHXR2LtrW-1qelqqcFXv3GTjwcfCd27g2NS2Az2Pgg4bwS/s1600/101558481_ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEnsci1MgVilEAjLKf6xTDlZLS4-ApoxyN4r5kwU1awQTopHqypeJQ9Qm3yIqYPR217O9l8UwMnBoHP0zMgLUfPjD3LPWoDEHXR2LtrW-1qelqqcFXv3GTjwcfCd27g2NS2Az2Pgg4bwS/s640/101558481_ss.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Victorian beadwork and antique ornaments adorn a small tree."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blair House, the president's official guesthouse for foreign heads of state visiting Washington. D.C.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holiday decor by interior decorator <a href="http://www.barrydixon.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Barry Dixon</a> and floral designer Barbara Hamilton of <a href="http://www.ociana.net/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">The Ociana Group</a>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Gordon Beall.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/showhouses/blair-house-christmas_ss8.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Decorating: A Capital Christmas</a>" text by Jenny Bradley.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7HwMmoXqXGdmtjmpdMUEcUviKe0oE-59Ja0pr5ez49ab5hhBY80w9ZVe7mam8mMHOv3iu-BmPcAvBWqsps_-ZU4qiJe_8teEeB6F95NLARY7ES3wb7sQ0-1nhUYAgdxmCnJ_NP1T1-td/s1600/hbx-candle-ornament-tree-potter-1205-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7HwMmoXqXGdmtjmpdMUEcUviKe0oE-59Ja0pr5ez49ab5hhBY80w9ZVe7mam8mMHOv3iu-BmPcAvBWqsps_-ZU4qiJe_8teEeB6F95NLARY7ES3wb7sQ0-1nhUYAgdxmCnJ_NP1T1-td/s640/hbx-candle-ornament-tree-potter-1205-de.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Real candles give the Christmas tree in artist Clare Potter's home an old-fashioned charm, but for safety reasons you should use lights at home; all-silver ornaments from <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/williams-sonoma-home/" target="_blank">Williams-Sonoma Home</a> delight the eye."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/christmas-tree-decoration-ideas-pictures-1208?click=img_sr#slide-5" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas</a>" by Shax Riegler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9XlMvqEVXFJ0w3B9pNkjh64lbrwXSgA4xXfPCHEHhBpH_LSYvzTk_zTkTZNP6bV_YlZEXnqp-KFedl1wjJjlwqRXAwCBFQLi8wEj3NbF6PswV9DyLKCbjeXL-KFV0TEn4nFoGD0ICcro/s1600/ss_101681439_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9XlMvqEVXFJ0w3B9pNkjh64lbrwXSgA4xXfPCHEHhBpH_LSYvzTk_zTkTZNP6bV_YlZEXnqp-KFedl1wjJjlwqRXAwCBFQLi8wEj3NbF6PswV9DyLKCbjeXL-KFV0TEn4nFoGD0ICcro/s640/ss_101681439_w.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Fresh swags mix it up with antique and vintage mercury-glass balls and new mercury-glass Christmas trees on the mantel."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home in Highland Park area of Dallas, Texas.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Interior design by Lisa Luby Ryan, </span><a href="http://lisalubyryan.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; line-height: 19px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Vintage Living</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Floral design by Adam and Alicia Rico, </span>Bows and Arrows<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Holiday greenery by Andrew Lenz, </span>Southern Botanical<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Holiday greenery by Brenda Lyle, </span><a href="http://lisalubyryan.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; line-height: 19px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Vintage Living</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Werner Straube.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Produced by Rebecca Sherman.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">"</span><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/christmas-present_ss18.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; line-height: 19px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Christmas Present</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">" written by Candace Ord Manroe.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; line-height: 19px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Traditional Home</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Wr9t8H1nacD9rZf7l38fw0Wy0Q40kwfiQIORXLfkhjxkiR64ArcZJ7eV1_qe-YhlLQVrckn9Cptx5OF6-e3Kn-zzxXFD0rheKgOhEMBcDgO2wFtZUMAPMIn36A_4i8mozSH0OzbO7-j/s1600/BarbPurdyBedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Wr9t8H1nacD9rZf7l38fw0Wy0Q40kwfiQIORXLfkhjxkiR64ArcZJ7eV1_qe-YhlLQVrckn9Cptx5OF6-e3Kn-zzxXFD0rheKgOhEMBcDgO2wFtZUMAPMIn36A_4i8mozSH0OzbO7-j/s640/BarbPurdyBedroom.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Less expected than pots of traditional poinsettia or paperwhites, a small evergreen in a burlap-wrapped container enlivens a guest bedroom or den."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Barbara Purdy, <a href="http://barbarapurdydesign.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Purdy Design</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Angus Fergusson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/potted-tree" target="_blank">A Potted Tree</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/" target="_blank">Canadian House and Home</a> (December 2011).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAr1kQDMgXVMJbA8ljRFWDcYThgZ3jhWkLrC9goSPm8WoimNwb8cnQ2pgU-9Z777ClI0fd2OvLL9aueMPS1Tj98eTP3gRDCDelAIdN_a1jVY1V6JsxIncJdSj3kH7w_zbSsVzbiLYCVN4/s1600/celebrate-xmas-red-plates-mdn-44926394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAr1kQDMgXVMJbA8ljRFWDcYThgZ3jhWkLrC9goSPm8WoimNwb8cnQ2pgU-9Z777ClI0fd2OvLL9aueMPS1Tj98eTP3gRDCDelAIdN_a1jVY1V6JsxIncJdSj3kH7w_zbSsVzbiLYCVN4/s640/celebrate-xmas-red-plates-mdn-44926394.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A matching set of mid-20th-century Currier and Ives transferware really shines in this green cupboard. Mini trees in teacups complete the look."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Michael Luppino.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/holiday-decorating-1208?click=smart&kw=ist&src=smart&mag=CLG&link=http://www.countryliving.com/homes/holiday-decorating-1208-SMT-CLG#slide-57" target="_blank">101 Holiday Decorating Ideas</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/" target="_blank">Country Living</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh55JS1Am95914lQiP2d4jsP4xiWF1Q0mYh1OlHij8VODQXUMdTCej-2B3YB8tHewXoeBe5nVHhWHH_F9_O3Terey4tFNw6h0qu8dmVZDuS_dZUXWmq8B30BGeE0uT9MFodGZ5u0CtqRK7/s1600/house-home-matthew-mead-holiday-chalkboard-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh55JS1Am95914lQiP2d4jsP4xiWF1Q0mYh1OlHij8VODQXUMdTCej-2B3YB8tHewXoeBe5nVHhWHH_F9_O3Terey4tFNw6h0qu8dmVZDuS_dZUXWmq8B30BGeE0uT9MFodGZ5u0CtqRK7/s640/house-home-matthew-mead-holiday-chalkboard-tree.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'Vignettes are a simple way to add holiday decor to your home,' says stationery designer Debra Norton of <a href="http://vintagepaperparade.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Vintage Paper Parade</a>. Here, 'a roll of twine, a spool wrapped with beads, fresh greenery and an old slate add interest.' "</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Meads-Holiday-Hundreds-CELEBRATE/dp/0848738144/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386344708&sr=8-2&keywords=matthew+mead" target="_blank">Matthew Mead's Holiday</a> (2012, Oxmoor House).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Matthew Mead.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/chalkboard-christmas-tree" target="_blank">Chalkboard Christmas Tree</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://houseandhome.com/" target="_blank">Canadian House and Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPKreJQbRpwN20EqjkQRXWThLRgfL_pKlTBdF3sq9M0SIONesREQ66VHAHx6PY1MgSqN5L5yiltAW1fVhLe_6M8BuKOOt784AGuqEvrDQbGeU_Rw-8hChgFXIR6KaUygX8Rii-pV6BOmS/s1600/SarahRichardsonFarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPKreJQbRpwN20EqjkQRXWThLRgfL_pKlTBdF3sq9M0SIONesREQ66VHAHx6PY1MgSqN5L5yiltAW1fVhLe_6M8BuKOOt784AGuqEvrDQbGeU_Rw-8hChgFXIR6KaUygX8Rii-pV6BOmS/s640/SarahRichardsonFarm.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dress exterior trees with traditional Christmas ornaments for outdoor sparkle. Choose plastic ornaments to avoid broken ornaments in high winds and bad weather, and use wire to secure them to the branches. For a softer look, cover the wire with ribbon. Oversized lights, like these lanterns, illuminate your yard and are a chic alternative to traditional colored exterior Christmas lights."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Designer: <a href="http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by <a href="http://www.michaelgraydon.ca/" target="_blank">Michael Graydon</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-outdoor-holiday-decorations?page=1" target="_blank">Photo Gallery: Outdoor Holiday Decorations</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/" target="_blank">Canadian House and Home</a> (November 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HI2PKQjSLO1UxJekHhYaMkTCtVfiQKHR-B32mg8-Ktb0mjnHEZ8MybRuslfKlQpFMrOMK2K1xqTacaYu_7DfTFkwgp07_bVQJvk9xYKv1SM-DQKAIteCdVugf-VB3474QRV7QlFDgczF/s1600/prod1730020_H12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HI2PKQjSLO1UxJekHhYaMkTCtVfiQKHR-B32mg8-Ktb0mjnHEZ8MybRuslfKlQpFMrOMK2K1xqTacaYu_7DfTFkwgp07_bVQJvk9xYKv1SM-DQKAIteCdVugf-VB3474QRV7QlFDgczF/s640/prod1730020_H12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Artisans handcraft our stylized trees from water-smoothed natural driftwood, carefully selecting and combining the pieces to create organic accents with a festive silhouette. Rustically beautiful."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1730020&categoryId=search" target="_blank">Driftwood Tree</a>" offered by Restoration Hardware.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware website</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFYq5xDLO9AWV0Rjh2YpcX91Y99i4MsdIR-0ZTkUzuXcrqn-zN7Qt109A1S5aLqc8ezQmYl9Btg9IJf136vNxiuxV9r9knCmIQFwXKw9uapOsDMXMo0YmVtlbJouiMwCZyrmt4T7QZ9MZ/s1600/img25b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFYq5xDLO9AWV0Rjh2YpcX91Y99i4MsdIR-0ZTkUzuXcrqn-zN7Qt109A1S5aLqc8ezQmYl9Btg9IJf136vNxiuxV9r9knCmIQFwXKw9uapOsDMXMo0YmVtlbJouiMwCZyrmt4T7QZ9MZ/s400/img25b.jpg" width="323" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bake a batch of nostalgic Christmas tree cookies, all ready to trim with colorful icings, sugar and candies. Designed to last for many seasons to come, our copper cutter makes it easy to create intricately detailed cookies. Great for serving at seasonal celebrations, the finished treats also make perfect party favors, tree ornaments, gift package decorations and embellishments for holiday place settings.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Designed by the artistic husband-and-wife owners of Old River Road in Northern California, our small Christmas tree cookie cutter is handcrafted by coppersmiths using traditional techniques."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/christmas-tree-copper-cookie-cutter/?pkey=e%7Ccopper%2Btree%2Bcutter%7C1%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Copper Cookie Cutter</a>" offered by Williams-Sonoma.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/" target="_blank">Williams-Sonoma website</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpfPH92vcAtkOSqq6G54imlIHoYj-7lzOww0fnRD0174KEg7HGIGepL5pYuSZdw_hG5g8uawldbH6ox73rf15o5ikex2DJBUNdqaqg71ZNrdabcukMxL3705NZwHZrA5dYddOLAhUYaf8/s1600/2229_1584_popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpfPH92vcAtkOSqq6G54imlIHoYj-7lzOww0fnRD0174KEg7HGIGepL5pYuSZdw_hG5g8uawldbH6ox73rf15o5ikex2DJBUNdqaqg71ZNrdabcukMxL3705NZwHZrA5dYddOLAhUYaf8/s640/2229_1584_popup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.rshcatalog.com/product/Glittered_Trees/Seasonal" target="_blank">Glittered Trees</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.rshcatalog.com/" target="_blank">RSH Catalog website</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF2GRUxR2JjDJIp4yA669YWwlEiBgCPooZodMZfvp2Atg-lyaV7m0sb9GE37xbKLlhSMZrW96kiLoih-FCyoFVCuruNVZJemUhOC-ki75IWez5mT0JZ3ygw_NQK3XNaqsARKghi7cTquY/s1600/19600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF2GRUxR2JjDJIp4yA669YWwlEiBgCPooZodMZfvp2Atg-lyaV7m0sb9GE37xbKLlhSMZrW96kiLoih-FCyoFVCuruNVZJemUhOC-ki75IWez5mT0JZ3ygw_NQK3XNaqsARKghi7cTquY/s640/19600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A beautiful starfish tops each tree, but can be removed for storage. Paperboard/shells/seagrass. Handmade in Philippines."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.rshcatalog.com/product/Shell_Trees/Home_Decor" target="_blank">Shell Trees - Set of 3</a>" offered by RSH Catalog.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.rshcatalog.com/" target="_blank">RSH Catalog website</a>.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUdYJmjV1g-ChgragwjM0qy5flffSmWIuXk6XfeWNSvcSow2EK6YD0Q4-fxDlJd6FsyhCtLYJ5NL9VbKf8Dm7HmmeqWbV9KaHlRBq-yQhLID92ETuJS4R9hBhqEYP0vdNe-aVttXYcbsc/s1600/img6o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUdYJmjV1g-ChgragwjM0qy5flffSmWIuXk6XfeWNSvcSow2EK6YD0Q4-fxDlJd6FsyhCtLYJ5NL9VbKf8Dm7HmmeqWbV9KaHlRBq-yQhLID92ETuJS4R9hBhqEYP0vdNe-aVttXYcbsc/s640/img6o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/glitter-tree-mecury-glass-object/?pkey=e%7Ctree%7C45%7Cbest%7C0%7Cviewall%7C24%7C%7C21&group=1&sku=2786804&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule-_-" target="_blank">Mercury Glass Glitter Tree</a>" offered by Pottery Barn.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn website</a>.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43VIK4voOUTb2wMTDg7GUVPsud7aLweMDxrmydBRoFO5J7GfgveAQb68a3dB8jD5HRWgcxILm1U8mjKUCqgTRMEBftBQdA4wnVmueZ-5aibKvvTAFmaQtLFLko3uqj0k-3Yoi7UswgmJ4/s1600/b63b0c366151c63411fd777939711cc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43VIK4voOUTb2wMTDg7GUVPsud7aLweMDxrmydBRoFO5J7GfgveAQb68a3dB8jD5HRWgcxILm1U8mjKUCqgTRMEBftBQdA4wnVmueZ-5aibKvvTAFmaQtLFLko3uqj0k-3Yoi7UswgmJ4/s640/b63b0c366151c63411fd777939711cc6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Welcome guests to your holiday table with shimmering placecard holders, the perfect finishing touch to any celebration. Makes a lovely hostess gift. (Cards are not included.) Set of six."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.gumps.com/p/mercury-glass-tree-placecard-holders?cm_vc=Search" target="_blank">Mercury Glass Tree Placecard Holders</a>" offered by Gump's.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="http://www.gumps.com/" target="_blank">Gump's website</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KeLSxjZvePyON0vRmPIgsuvSkFfTHcoKDyGTj8KqsVEQEMV6KmffytQZBr5xSOfx2lE-a1eEYFu_jq0cvEkCtXQiTASWjlGBlxYew-7snRGT26TtSud2qaB3B8HYHjFmGIiZYltBnMGN/s1600/1079-600x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KeLSxjZvePyON0vRmPIgsuvSkFfTHcoKDyGTj8KqsVEQEMV6KmffytQZBr5xSOfx2lE-a1eEYFu_jq0cvEkCtXQiTASWjlGBlxYew-7snRGT26TtSud2qaB3B8HYHjFmGIiZYltBnMGN/s640/1079-600x800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This ornament tree - named "Fat Santa" - was handmade in Richmond, Virginia by Keith Herald for the Richmond home decor shop Fraiche on the Avenues. Each tree is unique.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fraiche-On-the-Avenues/331346870268" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">the Facebook page for Fraiche on the Avenues</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquoTywSZexNXCUi1kjtIppfjCBGwlvaMs_-43EYnSb44bqP0CM4h9n6kGo9e4t7f1WtNPqvJFCmF-G8A6zr-vGphgXsHon5O49PefulnFgaxUDlpqCbu8w0DF2gz6v0Bfbf0R5feOQDft/s1600/1394464_10151992152620269_1128171052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquoTywSZexNXCUi1kjtIppfjCBGwlvaMs_-43EYnSb44bqP0CM4h9n6kGo9e4t7f1WtNPqvJFCmF-G8A6zr-vGphgXsHon5O49PefulnFgaxUDlpqCbu8w0DF2gz6v0Bfbf0R5feOQDft/s640/1394464_10151992152620269_1128171052_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A view of more of Keith Herald's handmade ornament trees in the store window of Fraiche on the Avenues in Richmond, Virginia.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fraiche-On-the-Avenues/331346870268" target="_blank">the Facebook page for Fraiche on the Avenues</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy decorating!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

O Christmas Tree

Have you set up your Christmas tree yet? If not, you may want to read a helpful article by Bob Tedeschi that appeared in yesterday's New...

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