Victorian Christmas Scene on Christmas Day

Here it is!

The day we've all been waiting for!

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Take a gander at this gorgeous Victorian Christmas scene:

Photo by Dorothy Nomad (NWUSA)



MERRY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TREE LOVERS!

Here's to awesome vintage Christmas goodies!

I know, I know. I really blew it. I haven't posted an article for over a week in the middle of December no less! This is the most important holiday time of them all! But I do have some good news.

What? You won't even begin to listen to me until you see some kind of beautiful Christmas tree? Sigh, I understand. Take a gander at this then:

Photo: Horsesitch at flickr

Pretty damn gorgeous eh? Doesn't this just put you in the Christmas spirit of forgiveness? Purdy please?

Thank you!

Now, let me explain my absence. You see, I never get tired of writing about Christmas trees. They fascinate me to no end. Quite frankly, writer's block on this wonderful subject is quite impossible. But there has been something that's been keeping me away from this glorious website.

And that something is my sellers account on Ebay. During holidays, I try and focus on selling holiday related items. That would make December's stock Christmas items, vintage Christmas items to be exact. These items have been flying off the shelves due to awesome customers who have an appreciation for fine Christmas goods. In case you are interested, my sellers name is HolidayTrees. Most of Christmas items I have for sale are 20 years or older. Here have a look:

Click Here to view and bid on my auctions!

So you see? I have been celebrating by shipping Christmas joy to people's houses via vintage decorations. Can't you appreciate that for what it is?

But I'm finding a way to juggle both my website AND my awesome Christmas goods. In the end, I don't want to skimp on anything and manage to write about Christmas trees while selling items for Christmas trees at the same time.

Are we all made up now?

Oh an don't forget to visit My "Christmas Tree of the Day" thread. I have added more to that as well.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Blast to the Past - 1944 McCall's Christmas Tree

I am going to start a tradition here on www.HolidayTrees.us. Every year I am going to post a photo of a Christmas tree that is 25 years or older. I think it's a fun idea to see how society of years yore used to decorate their Christmas trees. Times have changed and with it our sense of style. I think we owe it to humanity as a whole to appreciate the way Christmas trees have changed as well.

*BLAST TO THE PAST*

Year 1944
Where: McCall's Magazine Cover

Photographer: Nikolas Muray

This very vintage Christmas tree was featured on the cover of a magazine issue titled McCall's. In case you aren't aware, McCall's was an American women's magazine that was started in the late 1800s and grew in popularity through the 20th Century. From the 1930s to the 1950s, the magazine was divided up into three sections: News & Fiction, Homemaking and Style & Beauty. (There was also a fourth section titled "Guns & Fashion" but it was proven to be not as popular with the readers and so was dropped).

But this being a website on holidays, I really just want to focus on the Christmas tree that McCall's put on it's cover for the December 1944 issue. Let's take a look at it.

What I find most telling on when this photo was taken is the shape of the tree. It doesn't have the perfect triangle shape many tree buyers look for does it? Almost like they got it straight out of a forest rather than a Christmas tree farm. The other telling thing is the garland which is put on in a dramatic sweeping style. People nowadays tend to put them in more of a swirling fashion. (Click here and go down to the third photo to see what I mean).

Also, the colors are very subdued. Lots of earth greens and reds. Most of the sparkly look comes from the excessive use of vintage tinsel.

Speaking of tinsel, did you know that it used to include lead because it made the strands heavier and thus easier to work with? For some STUPID reason they stopped adding this very important element and now we are left with the sticky and fickle tinsel that we know today.

Anyways, back to the Christmas tree. Despite my critical take on the decorations, I actually love this 1944 photo. We can look back and laugh at the tree that is not quite as sophisticated by today's standards but really, you should judge the tree in the context of it's time period. By doing so you will see that it is a lovely photo highlighting what a Christmas scene in a middle class home would look like in the forties. A quick glance over the wooden toys is a testament to the simplicity of a child's playtime and even life in general. It's enough to make anyone want to gather their family and go open presents around the 1944 McCall's Christmas tree.





Got a Christmas tree photo you want to share?
Send it to HolidayTrees@gmail.com

White Christmas Trees in Technicolor!

I used to not be a fan of white Christmas trees. Now this was a while ago when I was a child in the early 90s. I associated white Christmas trees with snobby I'm-too-rich-to-use-anything-with-color-during-Christmas people. These are the same people that use nothing but white Christmas lights all over their house. What is up with that? OK kids, lets go outside and let daddy turn the lights on for us! *click* ooohhhhhh...ahhhhh...It looks just like every other day except the house is illuminated with a bunch of tiny clear lights that are basically regular light bulbs that we see everyday on lamps shrunk down to a mini size.

Get some imagination! If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that Christmas is about color, color and more color! Luckily for me (and let's face it, for society as a whole) it looks like people are starting to decorate their white Christmas trees using lots of colorful ornaments and lights.

Lets take a moment to celebrate these pioneers of Christmas fashion. Every Christmas tree below is white with a different color scheme (no, clear is not a color so it will not be featured). Now on to the colorful white Christmas trees.

Tickled Pink

Photo: Nicole W. (CA, USA)
"I'm pretty darn proud of mine," Nicole the tree owner says.
"It was difficult finding ornaments that fit my pink color scheme. So instead, I made all the bows myself and a few of the ornaments as well. The result was quite lovely."

Purple Sparkle

Photo: xcode from flickr.com
Another sparkly white Christmas tree full of monochromatic wonder!
You wouldn't know it from this photo, but this purplish Christmas tree is located in a mall in Singapore. A country which just happens to have some of the most breathtaking Christmas trees in the world.
(Click here to see my article on Singapore Christmas trees.)

Blue Bliss

Photo: Gina Arnone (Portland, OR USA)
This primarily blue Christmas tree was located at Queen Anne Victorian Mansion. It's a shining example on how white Christmas trees can have color but still be quite elegant.

Red Mingle,
Green Jingle

Photo: Gina Arnone (Portland OR USA)
I know this doesn't exactly fit with the other white Christmas trees that stuck with shades of one color. But the traditional red and green theme is rarely seen on a white Christmas tree for some reason. So lets all take a moment and appreciate this wonderful, cozy and traditional Christmas scene.
*Made possible by a white Christmas tree.*

HopeKids Christmas Trees at Minnesota State Fair

Did you know, that the Minnesota State Fair is the largest state fair in America? Pretty interesting eh? Well that's all for now. See ya later.

Just kidding. There's more...

Every year the Minnesota State Fair has a Christmas tree decorating contest. Recently I was sent photos of the 2009 and the 2011 blue ribbon winners of the decorated tree section. They both happened to be "HopeKids" themed. In case you are not familiar, HopeKids is a organization dedicated to giving hope and compassion to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. (To find out more information on HopeKids, click here.)

The decorator for both the HopeKids trees is Sherry S. (Apple Valley, MN). Her 2009 HopeKids Christmas tree was especially an accomplishment as she hand braided the garland and had the children of HopeKids send her their individual handmade ornaments.

Unfortunately, not all the HopeKids children were able to participate so Sherry had the foresight to also print out a paper chain with each link containing the name, age & illness of each HopeKids child.

Photo: 2009 Blue Ribbon Winner of Minnesota State Fair (decorated tree category)

It's not hard to see why this tree was chosen for first place. It has a wonderful crafty feel to it and the use of mostly primary colors is a wonderful choice for this subject. Below is an explanation on why it was selected as the winner in the decorated tree category.

Photo: Judges special recognition for 2009 (click on photo to enlarge).

The HopeKids Christmas tree of 2011 is a little different as it's theme is "Pictures of Hope". It still has the same idea of having each of the Minnesota HopeKids children donate a personal handmade ornament. But this time, the tree has a more uniformed look with the framed photos.

Photo: 2011 Blue Ribbon Winner of Minnesota State Fair (decorated tree category).

Sherry says, "Unfortunately our Minnesota chapter has grown in the last two years to over 700 kids and families. All of them are in picture frames. Keep in mind this donated tree was only 6.5 ft tall but it was still able to hold all the photos".


Thank you to Sherry S. for your contribution and to HopeKids for spreading awareness on childhood illnesses.


All trees decorated and photographed by Sherry S. of Apple Valley, MN.

2011 Christmas Tree of the Day - CTOTD

This is the third official Christmas Tree of the Day Thread (CTOTD - Click Here for the 2010 one). From December 1st thru December 31st you will be getting a picture of a very special Christmas tree daily. See the tiny picture of the tree to the right? Click on that to see this 2011 CTOTD. Be sure to come here every day to get your Christmas tree fix!

25th Anniversary Embassy Festival of Trees

Photographer: cliff1066 from flickr.com

Place: Fort Wayne, TX (USA)

CTOTD: 12/25/11

A Christmas tree from the 25th Anniversary Embassy Festival of Christmas trees.
It was sponsored by the Embassy Theatre Foundation and decorated by Diane Miller.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

The Christmas Tree at Night (Part 2)

Photographer: Killbox from flickr.com

Place: Albuquerque, NM (USA)

CTOTD: 12/22/11

Another beautiful Christmas tree that was photographed in the shadows of nightfall.

Angel from London

Photographer: Cristina Valente

Place: Portugal

CTOTD: 12/21/11

A uniquely decorated Christmas tree featuring lots of silvery icicles and froths of white.

But what is Cristina's favorite part of her Christmas tree?

The tree angel.
Who represents her real life angel whose flying in from London...
...her daughter!
Dwahhh! Isn't real life angels what the holidays are all about?

The Christmas Tree at Night

Photographer: Paul Sturgess

Place: England (UK)

CTOTD: 12/09/11

The magic of the Christmas tree is fully realized at night while it's lit up.

Christmas Tree Village

Photographer: cole24_ (flickr.com)

Place: Pittsburgh, PA (USA)

CTOTD: 12/08/11

A village that was built around the base of a Christmas tree.

A Bit of Everything

Photographer: Gina Arnone

Place: Portland OR (USA)

CTOTD: 12/07/11

Here's a riddle for ya: "What has giant balls, golden angels, archangels, sparkly lights and pheasant feathers tucked into a bow?"
Answer: The above Christmas tree.

Twig Star

Tree owners: Filipa Sousa & Tiago Ferreira

Place: London, UK

CTOTD: 12/06/11

"My boyfriend and I just love decorating for Christmas time" says Filipa.
"We find most of our decorations from charity shops or online for under a pound."
Their best find thus far?
The twig star.

Tall & Skinny

Photographer: Gina Arnone

Place: Portland OR (USA)

CTOTD: 12/05/11

A Christmas tree with a very unique tall and skinny shape.

Spruced-up Spruce Tree

Photographer: Ed Bierman

Place: CA (USA)

CTOTD: 12/02/11

A classically decorated spruce tree at the photographer's workplace.
It's so well decorated that you could say it's all spruced-up with no where to go.
Hahaha!!!
Wait...don't go. I'm done. I promise.

Humble Glow

Photographer: Thomas Cowart

Place: Durham, NC (USA)

CTOTD: 12/01/11

This tiny tree may not be full of glitz and glamor but it's humble glow captures the essence of Christmas.



Got a Christmas tree photo you want to share?
Send it to HolidayTrees@gmail.com
All photos & stories will be posted!

Christmas Time Already? What's going on with these crazy colors?!

As you may have noticed, there is a new title picture and some crazy colors that are being incorporated into this site. That's because we are slowly moving into the Christmas Season! Or should I say quickly?

The unveiling of these magnificent trees begin as soon as...

...they leave their personal dressing rooms.
Photo by: Sarah Ackerman

Honestly, every year that goes by it seems like Christmas gets shorter and shorter. It makes me want to start my Christmas Tree celebration earlier and earlier (I usually start it at around the 1st of December).

Well I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do yet. I might wait until the December 1st before I start the Christmas celebration. Or I might put up tree photos before the 1st if the mood hits! Or I may try to gather as many photos, information and stories as I can and get them all written for December. That way the articles will be the best they've ever been!

Of course, that would include meticulous planning, so it probably won't happen.

But one thing is for sure. I will be playing around with the blog's colors. This includes everything from the background to the type. So if you log onto this blog and get treated to some blue wonder, green awesomeness or red redo. Just feel free to tell me what you think!
I'm dying to know! I want to know the truth on what feels the most Christmasy.

Besides, is there a better way to spend the holidays than on this website? Go get yourself some hot cocoa, pray that it snows outside and feel all warm and cozy while looking at my decked out (including the halls) website. Whats that? Still too early to get in the Christmas spirit? Then fake it till you make it! We don't have time for lollygaggers around here.

Happy Holidays from HolidayTrees!

2011 Wedding Cake of the Day - WCOTD

Some wedding cakes just don't fit into any of the categories that my articles are usually about. With cakes like that, I like to put them in my "Wedding Cake of the Day" thread. The abbreviation to which is: WCOTD
This post will be continuously updated and will eventually be off the front page. To reach it, simply click on the WCOTD photo located in the upper left hand corner of the page. See? Wasn't that easy?
So come here to see wedding cakes that just don't quite fit the labels that I have arbitrarily created to categorize wedding cakes.
Enjoy!

Heart Cake?
Cake Maker: Alix's Cakes Website
Place: UK

WCOTD: September 6 2011

I really wish I could see the other side of this cake as I suspect it may be
one of them three tiered heart shaped wedding cakes that you hear so much about!
Never seen one first hand but if I could just rotate the photo by 180 degrees I just
might be able to!
Oh and the purple ribbons & flowers are pretty too :-)

Heart of the Cake
Photographer: NOTKT (flickr)
Place: USA

WCOTD: July 15 2011

A beautiful three tier cake cutely decorated with hearts.
I especially like the second tier cake topper. I'm usually not a fan of those bubbly bride and
groom pieces but this one is rather endearing.




Flowering
Cake Maker: Jamie Anderson
Place: Canada

WCOTD: July 14 2011

I love this wedding cake (yes, this cake was really used for a wedding).
I'm sure Jamie was very relieved when she was done forming all the orchids and hydrangeas by hand.
Let's take a moment and put ourselves in Jamie's shows and pretend it is you that must form everyone of these flowers by hand.

It would take a long time wouldn't it?

Now imagine that after hours of hard work and dexterous labor
you have finally completed your task.
Feels pretty good eh?
I'm glad it does, cause now you have to start all over!
Well, maybe you don't have to start over but Jamie had to:
"I got the colors reversed on the flowers and ended up having to make them all over again!"

Poor Jamie. But something tells me she got real good at forming flowers out of fondant once the second batch were completed!


Got a cake photo with a story?
Send it to HolidayTrees@gmail.com and share it with the world!

Traditional White Wedding Cake - How it should be done!

I LOVE traditional weddings.
To me, those are weddings that are devoid of color other than white and keep the atmosphere mostly fine dining...ish.
I guess you can say that I like white weddings.

So it's no surprise that my favorite type of wedding cake is the classic three-tiered white butter cream frosted wedding cake.

Of course, a $500 cake is always welcome but if you're on a budget, a smaller cake made to feed around 20 people will do just fine.

Something like this:

Beautiful isn't it?
This wonderful wedding cake was created by Cake Crumbs Bakery (Denver, CO 80207).

Now, let's zoom in a bit...

I love the fondant roses, bows along with the lines and dots created with a steady hand.

See, this is why sometimes, when it comes to wedding cakes, less is more.

Now lets go back to the full view.

There we go.
I really do love this photo since it also has the "warm glow" look that I always want Traditional Wedding Cakes to have.
Now there are a few things that must be done to get that "glowy" look.
First off, you can't have white frosting. It has to be a little off-white. For example, this cake used cream cheese frosting which is good at being a little off-white.
Second, you have to have the cake in a dimly light area. You can accomplish this with candles, electronic tea lights, or with dim lamps or ceiling lights.
Once those two things are covered, you also have to make sure that you hired a photographer that understands lighting and atmosphere and will be able to take a photo of a cake without washing it out.
Once these steps are completed,
you will get your "Traditional Wedding Cake complete with a Classy Warm Glow that's very Photogenic" that you have always dreamed about!!

Now lets admire the top.

I used to be so against using flowers as a cake topper.
I guess I thought it was just kind of like dodging the creativity part.
But looking at this photo I will have to admit my mistake at ever thinking that flowers made a half-assed cake topper.
Fresh flowers (or in this case, roses) truly complete the look of any Traditional Wedding Cake.


And that is how a Traditional Wedding Cake should look :-)

Cile Bellefleur Burbidge Wedding Cakes! Pink! Victorian! Intricate!

I really like things that are done in the Shabby Chic style (you should know this if you have seen my previous articles).

But the truth is that sometimes you find a Wedding Cake that simply does not compare to any other Wedding Cake out there. And that's what I found when Sarah Erlandson shared with me her beautiful wedding cake made by the renowned cake designer: Cile Bellefleur Burbidge

So intricate, so pink, so shabby, so chic and so Victorian!

Yes, I don't believe there is another wedding cake out there quite like this.

Oh and did I mention the flavor?

Orange Blossom :-)

Cile Bellefleur Burbidge, the Mistress-of-all-wedding-cakes (as she likes to be called) is definitely a true artist.

And Sarah (also known as the-Bride-with-the-killer-Cake) is truly the one we should be envious of since she got to see the masterpiece in person and enjoy a piece of it. Now, she has part of the cake on display at her tearoom in Walpole, MA: Fancy That (www.afternoontea.com). Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?

I hope you enjoyed the photo.
I do suggest blowing it up to get the full view of detail.

Patriotic Wedding Cakes: USA! USA! USA!

Happy Independence Day!
To celebrate I'm giving a "parade" of 4th of July wedding cakes.
Now, this doesn't mean the wedding actually has to take place on the 4th,
it just means that the wedding cake has to have a patriotic theme.
(Warning: Due to the awesome nature of this article I will be randomly going "USA! USA! USA!" whenever the spirit so moves me).

One way to do the patriotic theme is to go
the stars & stripes route.

Cake by: Dahlia's Custom Cakes (MI, USA)
It's hard to misinterpret the theme on this here cake.

USA! USA! USA!

I think a close-up is due.

The design is so sharp
it almost looks like it was printed on.

Now, you don't have to literally have stars & stripes
on your precious wedding cake.
But red, white & blue is definitely a must.

USA! USA! USA!

And since most couples that do the "America is awesome" theme
for their wedding tend to have their special day in the summer...

...red white and blue flowers will work perfectly.

USA! USA! USA!

Yup, flowers work pretty well with this color scheme.

I especially like the use of trailing roses versus using another flower.
I think it's because the reds and blues are more poignant and the whites are more pure.
(pure like the soul of any American citizen)

USA! USA! USA!

And like any themed wedding cake,
your design possibilities are endless.
(Almost as endless as the possibilities for an American born citizen).

USA! USA! USA!

If you so desired,
You could take away the abundance of flowers,
the dazzling stars and the vibrant colors;
and go with a more chic "America is awesome" cake.

Much like this one:

It's still a USA wedding cake but with a more fresh and
subtle patriotic look.
And the crocheted muffins next to it is more classy
than a horse with a silver saddle.


USA! USA! USA!

Enjoy your 4th of July!

USA! USA! USA!

Beach Themed Wedding Cakes - Seashells Starfish & Reefs oh my!

Since it's the summer time, I thought I would do a post on Wedding Cakes that have a "Beach" theme. First we need to define what makes a wedding cake a beach thematic wedding cake.

Actually, this theme isn't too hard to make rules for since these kinds of cakes are uber popular.
In fact, as long as you have seashells it's most likely a beach wedding cake but you can also have starfish, corral, pearls and even sand!

Just have a look!

Seashell Cascade

Photo by Cheshirekat Boston (USA)
I love this cake. It stands tall and pround at four tiers. The cascading seashells looks
like they can fall over at any minute giving the cake a "flowing" look.
The topper shell is rocking it as well with the shiny pearls.

Of course...

There's more than one way to place a seashell.

Photo by Lindsay Clark Orlando, FL (USA)
Like sticking them to the side of the cake along with corral is a much easier design to accomplish.
This cake also did an excellent job at creating an underwater feel without going overboard.
(Take note of the "bubbles" placed strategically along the corral)

Now, you might be asking,
"But if water is blue?
And water fills the ocean...
...and the ocean is on the beach?
Does that mean...
...we can have Blue wedding cakes too?!?!"


Yes, yes it does.
(excellent use of reasoning there might I add)

Photo by Kate Webster

I always believe that it's best to go with a dusty or a light baby blue to represent the ocean.
on a wedding cake.

But if that mellow blue just doesn't do it for you...

I will allow you to go a little darker blue.

Photo by pinkcakebox
Yes, I do believe that it still lookies quitey weddie cakey indeedy!

But, if you keep in mind...
that if you ask to go any darker.

You may not like what you get.
And you will cross the realm from subtle to...

Photo by weddingchannel.com
...BLUE!!!
That's right, any baker that would allow for such a dark blue on a beach cake probably would also allow poorly formed corral as well.
Not knowing what to do,
your wedding photographer will be forced to make the photo super tilted to do his best to give off a sense of art.
Also, your guests will all have blue lips and teeth.

Get the picture?
Well I hope so!

Now,
I wanted to show an example of sand since we haven't seen one yet.

Glorious sand!
There really is nothing like sand to give off that whole,
"I'm having a beach wedding and going to such an extreme that even my wedding cake is going to have sand on it" atmosphere that you want to give your guests.
The best part about it is that sand is everywhere so you really don't have to pay the baker to add this decoration. For example:
If you are having your wedding on a beach, simply go grab a handful of sand and
elegantly sprinkle it all over your cake before the quests arrive.
If you're not at a beach, then just use the fine gravel that will surely be there at the
side of the parking lot.
Remember, the wedding cake is your moment to really WOW your guests.
You don't want to disappoint them.

And who really eats wedding cake anyways?




Got a wedding cake photo you want to share?
Email it to me at HolidayTrees@gmail.com!!

Wedding Cake Archive!

As you can see, there is a bit of a dry spell for holidays during this time of the year.
There was Easter and after that there really isn't anything until the 4th of July. I personally can't wait to do a red, white and blue themed website for a couple weeks. But until that time comes I'll be busy organizing my wedding cake articles.

Copyright: Leah Powell

I notice that my wedding cake articles are some of the more popular ones, especially at this time of the year. So I thought I would be nice and organize them for you and stick them at the top menu bar with the rest of the archives.

It really is long overdue.

Now I might name the archive - "Wedding Day Archive" because I would love to do some articles on wedding dresses and maybe wedding themes too. But the majority of the archive will be devoted to Wedding Cakes.

So get your wedding cake fixes here and only here at HolidayTrees.us!

Happy Easter!!! (2011)

Happy Easter!

Photo by T Chu from flickr.com
Enjoy your Easter baskets, cakes and cupcakes.
Hopefully you'll get all three like this lucky person.


Go Easter 2011!

Easter Basket Miniatures - So tiny!!!

All photos and miniatures are by Stephanie Kilgast.
She is the owner of PetitPlat Food Art (Paris, France)
http://www.petitplat.fr/


Stephanie Kilgast has a unique hobby where she makes things out of clay.
What, not different enough for you?
Ok, she makes tiny things out of clay.
Actually, she makes REALLY tiny things out of clay.
She uses the dollhouse ratio of 1:12.

And while she usually makes mini food products (such as bread or cupcakes) she decided to give Easter the appreciation it deserves.

(A match is included in the above photo to give you the idea on how tiny these items actually are.)

Now remember...

...everything you see is made from polymer clay.
So that's not real chocolate.


And no, you can't have a bite just to make sure.

Fits right on the tip of your finger.

Now, when you look at this basket.

Do you see it as being half-full of jelly beans?
Or do you see it as being full of painted eggs?

Pretty deep stuff here at HolidayTrees.

On reexamining the clay or chocolate dilemma.
I've decided...

...that it is probably just a mixture of chocolate and candy.
I don't see why we can't eat an egg or two?

A special thanks to Stephanie Kilgast for sharing her art and passion.