Treetopia Design Council: Christmas in All Shapes and Sizes

Treetopia assembled a super cool Design Council for their Christmas in All Shapes and Sizes campaign, and I am so honored to be a part of it!

We got to decorate a Treetopia tree of our choice (sponsored) and then answer the question, ““What unique family tradition inspired your Christmas tree’s theme?”

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I have sort of a roundabout answer to this, as my Christmas tree is really about starting to create new traditions in my own home, rather than representing unique traditions from my family. After moving out of my family’s house, I didn’t have my own tree for a very long time. I was kind of afraid to start gathering my own set of ornaments when I was basically moving to a new apartment every year. When I finally got around to buying my own (faux) tree a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to only buy handmade or vintage decorations, and this is what I’m showing here for the Christmas in All Shapes and Sizes campaign. I like putting new spins on classic Christmas traditions, such as stringing popcorn into garlands and finding the Christmas pickle. My popcorn and pickles are crocheted! And since I just love food-themed decor in general, I have a lot fun, kitschy cupcakes in my tree, too.  I admit that I broke a little on the handmade/vintage mission when I hung some cute keychains I purchased while in Tokyo in October, but “re-purposing” might still be on theme! My personal mission as a crafter has always been to add more fun and color to my life and the world around me, and my candy-coated lavender tree definitely fits the bill!

Let’s take a closer look!

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My older tree is pink, which I have a vintage red tree-skirt for. But I’m one of those people who doesn’t like mixing purple and red, so I threw down this vintage flower-loom afghan! I love anything that screams technicolorgranny!

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Ok, I broke my handmade/vintage rule a bit here with these Treetopia Artisan’s Glass Egg ornaments, but I think that gifted ornaments can count, too :P. I liked these lil guys because they reminded me of ornaments from my tree growing up. I probably accidentally smashed a few… and in grand tradition, I actually already dropped one of these Glass Eggs on the wood floor… shhhhH!!! I can have nice things!!!
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I really love ornaments that have a little tiny story on them, like these two lil smooching deer!!! I am also in desperate need of an amazing tree-topper. I have gone years without one, and I want the best one!treetopia_christmas_7smtreetopia_christmas_8smtreetopia_christmas_9sm

I actually have a few more kitschy cupcake ornaments on the way, being handmade as we speak! My current fave shop for this kind of decoration is 12LegsCuriosities on Etsy.

Please check out the other Design Council Bloggers’ trees and their holiday family traditions on the Treetopia blog! Two trees/bloggers per day have been going up this whole week. BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE.

Treetopia is giving us the opportunity to give one lucky winner a $150 gift card to shop at Treetopia. That’s pretty dang spiffy if you ask me! All you have to do to enter is to comment my blog with your favorite one-of-a-kind family holiday tradition. I know that I just asked this in my group giveaway, so if you wanna mix it up, you can also answer with your favorite holiday treat/drink/side-dish/snack as well! You can enter until next Wednesday, November 30th, at midnight! A winner will be chosen randomly by Random.org.

P.S. The holiday tradition with my family is that we go out to eat somewhere nice together on Christmas Eve and then go home and open presents that night. The following day, we have friends come over for Christmas dinner and have a huge, extremely funny White Elephant gift exchange. Which reminds me, I have to go hunt for that…

P.P.S. Here is an outtake from when I had the room arranged a bit differently, but I felt like Bearry Ham (long story) was lookin a bit weird, so he sat the rest out.

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75 Comments on “Treetopia Design Council: Christmas in All Shapes and Sizes”

  • Debbie

    says:

    We add a new significant ornament each year for each family member. As a kid we would go to Christmas eve service, drive around to look at Xmas lights, then open 1 present. After setting out cookies for santa, go to bed. Wake up early to eat coffee cake and see what Santa brought. Still continue in my adult life. Happy holidays to all!

  • melissa

    says:

    I totally need a Christmas pickle! I know it’s your pattern…where can I buy it?

  • melissa

    says:

    Oh favorite tradition…hitting the local hot spring on Christmas eve with friends and family! Swimming while it snows is kinda magical!

  • Kasie Morgan

    says:

    I love your tree! Our family tradition is going to the trail of lights every year and spinning under the huge tree made of lights. My birthday is also on Christmas eve so we also celebrate that, and since I get to open presents we let the kids open one of their presents early.

  • Beverly Marks

    says:

    My tree has sentimental meaning all of my decoration were made by my aunt’s who crocheted and did plastic canvas they would also be making all kinds of home made candies they are all gone now but they memories are still in my heart & will continue to my ggrandchildren

  • Jenna

    says:

    I don’t have any family holiday traditions, because I was raised JW and we never celebrated anything. I hope I can make some of my own, though.

  • Jennifer

    says:

    Our favorite family tradition is decking the front yard in as many Christmas lights as possible. We have an 18 foot inflatable reindeer as well. It’s always a fun day.

  • Rachel Ballew

    says:

    I love when my family all gets together to decorate the Christmas tree! My favorite Christmas food is my grandmother’s fruitcake.

  • lesley

    says:

    my favorite beverage during the holidays is eggnog, especially spiked (wink, wink).

    it is just me and my husband so we don’t have any traditions. well, we do go to the movies to get out of the house though that isn’t necessarily a tradition.

  • opal pickard

    says:

    I love family! @ the holidays are just the perfect excuse to let them know how grateful I am to have them. And a great time to yarn bomb every one I know just to show them how much I appreciate them. Peace to all this holiday season.

  • Beth

    says:

    I have many family traditions that I love but my favorite is every year one Saturday before Christmas my family goes to my aunts house where all the kids in the family make a handmade ornament, we do crafts and make Christmas cookies. Oh and my aunt always makes the kids a little goody bag to take home with the other items they made that day. It’s always a good time with the ones you love.

  • Holly

    says:

    We have a wonderful street here in Portland where every house over decorates their exterior. Our family has a stroll down this street every Christmas Eve!

  • Lori

    says:

    Your tree is fantastic! Our tradition is the whole family plays apples to apples. Everyone laughs and laughs!

  • Donna Carlen

    says:

    I am with you on the crafted and/or handmade ornaments. Each year I’d by some wooden jigsawed treats from a co-worker, until her niece stopped making them. And, I’d make some myself, and buy some at craft fairs. When our daughter was little, I had a subscription to Disney ornaments. I’ve since given them to her just last year for her tree. I tend to like trees that are decorated in a kitchy mixed-not-matched way. Anything too traditional or colonial is just too much for me.

  • Jenny Mac

    says:

    Thank you for sharing. I just love your style. This post really helped spark a little holiday spirit with in me and I am thankful for that.

    In 2007, I created a new family tradition. I purchase frame ornaments each year. One for each child. I place my most favorite pics of our children in each. It is so difficult to choose a favorite photo, but somehow I manage to do it. I have been doing it since 2007 and the tradition continues. Our Elf Gilly likes to hide behind the ornaments and take selfies. 😉

  • Melessa moran

    says:

    Our tradition is wrapping gifts for my dog and hiding them until Xmas day and then my dog, yoshi, opens them!

  • Terri M. Fisher

    says:

    When we were young, we felt it was unfair that my Father’s birthday was
    Christmas Eve . He would receive one gift which was a combination birthday
    and Christmas gift. So us kids got together and decided to throw our Dad a
    surprise birthday one year. We kept it up for years. Separating his birthday
    and Christmas celebration.

  • Brooke Olenar

    says:

    My favorite holiday tradition is the chocolate holiday calander count down to Christmas.

  • Vanessa

    says:

    I bake Mexican wedding cookies every year to give away. Everyone waits for them anxiously.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      YUM I love those!

  • Jennifer

    says:

    On Christmas we open a family Stocking- one of those huge ones from the dollar store that can fit a small child inside! It’s always filled with pajamas, cocoa, coffee, random treats, a board game, a movie, and an orange chocolate ball thing. Sometimes I’ll add other things I find that everyone can enjoy together.

  • Wendy Thomas

    says:

    We never eat a real meal on Christmas Eve. I always make lots of small appetizers and we all sit around and spend family time together. We have special ornaments that have a lot of fond memories. We still put out cookies and milk for Santa even though my kids are all grown.

  • Lauren K.

    says:

    My husband and I started this tradition a couple of years before our daughter was born, but Xmas day we open presents/ look in our stockings, pop the Christmas crackers to reveal jokes and little trinkets, stay in our pj’s watch Xmas movies, then for dinner we all go out to this authentic Chinese restaurant and order duck. I wouldn’t have my Christmas any other way. Just me, my daughter, and my husband.

  • I make my husband an advent we call, ‘The Christmas Beearacle’. I wrap up 25 different craft beers and he opens one each morning. He’ll post it on Instagram and all his friends comment about it; then it goes in the fridge. In the evening he cracks it open, takes a picture and then enjoys his beer. He’ll then post a review of it and all his guys chime in on it. It’s super-fun for him.

    Your tree is gorgeous! I absolutely love it so much! Thanks for sharing your pictures 🙂

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Best wife award!

      • Aw, thanks. We’ve been married 22 years and I try to keep things thoughtful and fun for both of us.

  • Emily Sheer

    says:

    My favorite tradition is that there is never too much quoting of national lampoons Christmas vacation!!

  • Rachael

    says:

    My husband works as an RN in a NICU. So part of our new tradition is to send food and sweets for the nurses/families who are spending their Christmases at the hospital. We know we aren’t the only ones separated from our loved ones on holidays, so our boys and I want to make the seperation for others as painless as I can.

  • Laura

    says:

    We open gifts one by one on Christmas morning when it is bright and sunny! Someone chooses a gift and gives it to someone to open then the recipient chooses next. Last year we used the tradition of finding the pickle for the first time to decide who picks gifts first!

    • Laura

      says:

      Oops, I left out that the kids are allowed to open stockings whenever they wake up and enjoy whatever is in them immediately. This deters them from waking me up too early! 😉

  • Alli Goss

    says:

    Cute Tree!!! Twinkie, I don’t know if you consider this personal info, but what host do you use for your site? I’m looking into starting my own. 🙂

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thank you!!! I use Dreamhost because my brother told me to and he built my site 😛

  • Leah

    says:

    Aww, what a happy tree! Love it. 🙂 And we have the same pickle! 😉 On weekends leading up to Christmas, we let the kids camp out under the tree in their sleeping bags. Lots of late-night giggles, then a silent night under the glowing tree lights. Straight up Christmas magic!

  • Penny T

    says:

    Redbirds. I don’t know why or where it came from but my maternal grandma always had redbirds in her decorations and so followed everyone else. Once my kids were grown I divvied up our decorations betwixt them and went out and bought myself a small pink tree. I kept for myself the kids’ handmade ornaments and some other very specials like the knitted bell my paternal grandmother made me for a church play when I was 7 and one of my baby booties. My tree-topper is a paper plate angel my daughter made in elementary school. Accompanying my pink tree is a light-up pink pig dressed up in a santa suit and a pair of light-up redbirds. I’ve gone completely non-traditional without the kids these days but I still maintain the redbird tradition.

  • Amanda Lopez

    says:

    My favorite Christmas food is posole with red chilie! This is my first Christmas pregnant so spicy food hurts my stomach these days.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      HI! Congratulations! I pulled your name randomly with Random.org as the winner of my Treetopia giveaway! Please email me to claim your prize. Twinkie @ TwinkieChan.com. I will also try to email you :).

  • Janneal Gifford

    says:

    The Gifford’s draw days of the 12 Days of Christmas and then sing it!

  • My husband and I have started collecting ornaments from our travels. Recently, we’ve picked up a few from Hawaii.

  • Sara

    says:

    My favorite tradition is one that actually only last year was passed on to me in the form of my husband’s grandmother’s homemade divinity fudge recipe. I made it last year, and my own grandmother was nearly in tears as she had the first divinity she’d eaten in several decades. I’m looking forward to making a few batches in the coming weeks.

    An old tradition I hope to start probably next year once the baby is older is that we always had a train set around the tree when I was growing up. We may not have had the most presents, but our parents always managed to add a train car to the set. I want to start that for my girls, but have to wait until the baby is old enough to know not to touch it.

  • Angela S.

    says:

    We do a lot of what others have already mentioned. I like decorating our tree with decorations my Mom crocheted (mini stockings and clothespin angels) and my Mother-in-laws vintage ornaments (brass instruments and beaded icicles). If I have to pick just one favorite treat…probably Harvey Wallbanger cake…it usually only shows up around the holidays.

  • Whitney Ratliff

    says:

    My boyfriend and I have started our own traditions, every year we exchange ornaments and have become a little competitive about finding “the perfect one” over the years. Our first Rostand together I gave him an ET ornament that clips onto a light (it’s the moon with the bike in front of it) and he had one made with a picture of us from his sister’s wedding earlier that year. The ultimate Christmas kitsch is Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, NY… we try to go to the park every year and I was lucky enough to be an elf last year! His grandfather helped to build the park and my Granny’s brothers worked there so it’s extra special for both of us ❤️

  • Ann Bagnaschi

    says:

    Oh! I love your purple tree! That is my magical unicorn daydream tree! Anyway, 1 tradition that we’ve been doing ever since my son was really little, (he’s 16 now,) is with the cookies and milk we leave out for Santa, we also leave him a little gift. (Usually from the dollar store…) whether its a pack of pens or a razor, my kids have always left Santa a small token of appreciation with his cookies and milk. Obviously, my son no longer does this, my 6 year old daughter took over the job a few years ago. Merry Christmas!

  • Kim Gillespie

    says:

    We celebrate Advent every year with special family things to do behind each door. This year we are hosting a Christmas sock party, where everyone exchanges fun Christmas socks stuffed with little gifts. Hopefully it will become a new tradition.

  • Liz

    says:

    My favourite tradition was opening my stocking, going to my nans house and having dinner there, opening some presents with her and then going home and open the rest of our presents whilst eating turkey sandwiches, now as I am older my nan is too old to cook the dinner and gets worn out easily with too many visitors (so she orefees to be home) so we now have this at home but I still go up and visit my nan and spend some time with her and swap presents, eventually I go home have dinner and open presents with my siblings and nieces, its a big family affair for us but my favourite thing is spoilng my loved ones and seeing the smiles on their faces

  • Leah Angel

    says:

    My favorite family tradition is really just a tradition between my partner and I, which I say makes it the best 😉 It’s to put hot chocolate in a couple of travel mugs, pack the dogs in the car and drive around looking at Christmas lights. Our favorites are the ones that are totally crazy over the top, or funny and strange like a xmas narwhal we saw last year!

    Love your lavender tree, it’s so perfect for you and looks awesome with your ornaments!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I want to drive around looking at Christmas lights!

  • Jacki Huber

    says:

    My family always went to see a movie on Christmas Day. We started with Star Trek IV (the one where they go back to Earth) and we liked that experience so much, we kept doing it every year! We didn’t have much family in our eaten, so it was a fun way to spend the day before dinner!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      That’s the best Star Trek movie!!!

  • Michelle

    says:

    We get my daughter new Christmas PJ’s every year. This year, we’re expanding the tradition. I’m making us matching pajama pants 🙂

  • Kimberly Bowen

    says:

    To expand on my other blog post comment: I always go to the Christkindlemart with family and/or friends. My parents moved to Denver this summer, so it shall be a visit with friends this year. I always get some mulled wine and pick out a new glass ornament. I always go for the cat ones! I have a black orange, and white cat. Also, a white paw. We shall see what I get this year? There is a gorilla one I’ve had my eye on the past couple of years.

  • Kim

    says:

    Beautiful tree!! I love the idea of the granny Daisy Afghan under the tree!!

    Our tradition is mostly celebrated on Christmas Eve. We stay up and wait for Santa to arrive, which was usually a cousin/uncle dressed up who came through the garage! It was so fun when I was a kid and we have continued the tradition with the new kiddos.

  • Kimi Lewis

    says:

    Twinkie you’re my favorite!!!!!
    So I grew up in a Jewish household but LOOOOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!! I’m pretty much the worst Jew ever, and start singing Xmas carols in October. Lol
    My favorite family tradition is my mom and I cook a fabulous Christmas Eve dinner, and cram as many family and friends into our tiny house for great food, drinks, board games, and sometimes a little karaoke.
    THEN on Christmas Day everyone comes back over in jammies (it’s the rule) and we have an UH-MAZING brunch spread with lox, bagels, danish, babka, fruit, and piping hot coffee. We open presents, laugh hysterically, and usually end up playing old home videos that are totally blackmail worthy. LOL

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      mmmm I want that brunch right now!

  • Dana

    says:

    My one of a kind holiday tradition is building our 7 full sized and 6 small sets of Christmas Lego! It takes two days, but I love it…luckily my kids have fun with it too!

  • Amanda

    says:

    I love the tradition of getting new underwear in my stocking! Apparently Santa has a panty fettish!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      AHahahhaha

  • becky t

    says:

    My favorite holiday tradition is watching Batman Forever with my sister on boxing day each year

  • I used to have a great tradition that some Jewish friends of mine came down for thanksgiving and then they helped me decorate my christmas tree. This repeated for several years. But then they moved away (sad sad sad sad face.) My current tradition is that every year I make a handmade ornament for all the girls in the family (matt has two aunts!) and for my most special friends. Last year I joined a sewing bee, and the number of ornaments I ended up making (Tiffanie Turner’s crepe paper woodland acorn ornament) just about killed me. I made at least 36 of those suckers and this year i’m going for an easier one. I’ve been doing this on a smaller scale for at least 15 years. my hashtag is #kitkabbit on instagram if you’d like to see stuff I made. This year it’s felt food!

  • Kimberly

    says:

    I go home to Florida for Christmas every year since moving to LA. While home, my family and I decorate the tree to the Hanson Christmas album (drives my dad nuts!), drive around to look at the Christmas lights, and read the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve.

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