The Perfect Tree...

Update: I am adding to this post so I can enter Tip Junkie's tree decorating give away! Yeah! Check it out for some great ideas!

On Monday we went hunting for the perfect kids tree. I finally have my tree in the formal living room that is a fake tree--that I got beautiful ornaments for last year thanks to a great neighbor who had them for sale at a bargain price. I let the kids help me decorate it--then when they go to bed, I rearrange all the decorations until I think it's perfect. I have waited a long time for the perfect tree! I start with the lights--the more the better. I use 4 strands of 150 clear lights on my 8 ft. tree. Next comes the ribbon, it takes about 5 spools, and when I come to the end of a spool, I use a straight pin to pin the ribbons together so I can keep going around. Then I have berry and pine cone embellishments that I got from Michaels that I put all around on the tree before I start hanging my ornaments. The ornaments are red, green, white and gold, to match my ribbon. I like to do one color at a time and distribute that color evenly around the tree before doing the next type of ornament. That way they aren't right next to eachother. I like that I have enough ornaments to totally cover my tree. To me you can't overdecorate a tree! The more the better! Last, we add the big ribbon bow, and the light up snowflake to the top. VOILA! My perfect tree (I love it at least, and that's what matters)! Now the only problem is getting a good picture of it all lit up! I swear it looks a lot better than this in person!In the family room, is the kids tree. We go out and try to find the perfect real tree to put there. I love having a live tree in the house and the great smell that goes with it! It's a little pricey, but to me it's worth it! It's fun to go to the nursery, and the kids get to pick a tree that looks just right and then they decorate it however they want. This is the tree that gets all the macaroni decorations, and the ones they make in preschool and playgroups from years past. I'm glad I saved all of these, as each one holds a memory, and it's fun to look back each year as the kids get older and tell stories about them. My tree may be perfect, but it's the kids tree that definitely gets the prize for personality! They get the sparkly lights, and the fun ornaments, and the topper--you betcha--an ASU santa hat! I guess to them--THIS is the perfect tree!