Dreamy White Christmas Tree at The Little Cottage

Today I’m sharing how I decorated the gorgeous pure white Christmas tree that was gifted to me for the holidays from Grandin Road. It’s a dream, the glow is unreal and I can’t believe I’ve never had an all white Christmas tree before. It’s soft and sweet and I used vintage family ornaments, and some shimmering metallic ones too. If’ you’ve been considering a white Christmas tree… I hope this post helps to sway you, one way or the other. Winks. 

Hello sweet foxes, I hope this December is treating you well so far! Wasn’t last week wonderful, seeing all the homes decked out for the Holiday Housewalk!? Always a super way to officially kick-off the Christmas season.

I shared our All Is Calm Christmas Tour of the main house [click here] last week, and today finds us down at The Little Cottage.

If you are new here, or don’t know the story of The Little Cottage, you can [click here] to read all about our guest house (and how we even have one, because it always feels a little pretentious to my own ears).  

Meet my Dreamy WHITE CHRISTMAS TREE!

No slow reveal here, we are diving right in foxy friends. And because the great room has an 18 foot ceiling, I went  B I G. She’s nine feet tall. Which is glorious, but I also needed a ladder to adorn her. Something this blonde with the bad knees didn’t think about. Whoops. 

Oh my gosh though… so worth it!!!

This tree is the most beautiful pure white, with pretty snow-kissed flocked branch tips. It came in a few sections, and was easy to pop together with just a few minutes of Jim’s help. When any tree is brand new, they always need a little fluffing. This one no more or less than any other I’ve had. Maybe a smidge more, as it’s much taller, so there is just more of it. It also comes pre-lit, and I didn’t add any additional lights! 

Just like our Flocked Aspen Pine Christmas Tree at the main house [see it here], I went ribbon free.  Because for me, I feel like on a white tree, you can give yourself a lot of shadows and dead-spots where the ribbon lies and blocks the lights from twinkling through. I wanted every bit of glow this beauty had to offer!

She’s the White Iced Fir Christmas Tree from Grandin Road

I instantly knew when I unboxed her, I was going to use the vintage pink glass ornaments that my mom used on our tree when I was a little girl. I’ve had them in my possession for many, many years. Patiently waiting.

I figure they are about 40 years old now. 

One year, instead of classic red & green holiday fare, the ornaments we made and brought home from school, and our collectable Hallmark ornaments… I recall my mom wanting a “pretty fancy” tree. My sister and I, being girls, didn’t care at all! I’m sure as long as there were gifts under it, we were fine with a “pretty fancy” tree. Besides, I think we did a family tree in the den, so it’s not like we were scared for life or anything. 

That year, my mama bought yards & yards of pearly beaded garland in pink & white, and these divine pink glass ball ornaments with a gold crown, and I’m not sure what else… because while at that age I didn’t have to be told to clean my room, and I asked for new comforters and such as gifts… I guess I wasn’t 100% into tree-trimming yet. 

I didn’t use the beaded garland, because I like it with the ornaments only just fine, and… I’m trying to make things simpler. 

SIMPLER

Anyone else? I’m getting better at! Start practicing now, it’s so freeing. I’m over here just living my “that’s good enough” life. Examples:

• I don’t tend to like tree toppers, so my tree isn’t wearing one.

• I didn’t want ribbon on my tree, and didn’t feel an ounce of pressure to use it.

• My Fa La La banner was a littttle bit long, so I let the extra la la la’s trail off. And it’s OKAY. 

• We didn’t get my new (I found it at a garage sale!) fireplace insert in, and instead of walking back & forth to the house to gather “props” – I used what I had one hand. And my legs thanked me. 

SIMPLE can be something different for everyone. Look for your simple, and embrace it my friends. Life is short, so short.

For me, simplifying often means MORE happy, and less stress. I’m here to share our home, our DIY projects, decorating ideas, and sure, to maybe inspire a little. But not to create the illusion of some fairytale life. I’ve never wanted to perpetuate a falsehood. I’d actually like to chat a little more about that in the future. 

We used one of our DIY Wood Christmas Tree Boxes [click here for the free tutorial] for this tree — it’s wearing a white paint job, and it’s a smidge bigger to accommodate the larger tree base for this nine foot tall tree. 

The velvet used on this Poinsettia pillow is the most sumptuous thing ever… I want a blanket made out of it! I’ve got a lot of soft pillows and blankets, but oh my. DIVINE! 

Speaking of soft… I grabbed this yummy faux fur blanket last season at Walmart (it’s Better Homes & Gardens) and I noticed that they have them again this year! I love the snowy leopard print on this one, and the back side is a soft furry feel as well. 

We’ve had a beautiful new wood door to install down here and you guys… it’s been a comedy of errors. Starting with my measurements, then “2020”, etc…

So this coming Spring, when the weather gets nice again, and we celebrate it’s first birthday (lol) we should have it in! 

We can talk more about these pretty chairs then too. 

I’ve been planning and saving and selling on Facebook Marketplace. Just waiting for my sofa to be delivered now (again, a 2020 thing) and then I’ll put it all together. With real grown-up furniture.

The sofa delay was actually a good thing, as I had the living room all set up as a bachelor pad/bedroom for my dad when he was here, so it’s all good! The bed was much more important. 

Now, you know I took so many more pictures (I always do) but I’m going to say goodbye for now, and not subject you to any more of my love-fest with my new tree. I’ve already watched ELF and a few other movies down here. It’s like my own little girly Christmas getaway. 

I’m wishing you all a lovely December day! I hope you are baking and wrapping and finding all the Christmastime JOY you can. I know this year is not the same for so many of us, and my heart truly, truly hurts for the loss and devastation our country is experiencing. I stay quiet here out of respect, so I can be an escape… but please know I care. xo Shannon 

I’ve been so fortunate to partner with Grandin Road since we met-up after I bought my Ava chair and a half. I am so deeply thankful for how generous they have been with me, and were again this holiday season. It is not taken for granted. My job is an odd one, with long hours, little security, no benefits, sick days, etc… but I’ve experienced some lovely opportunities. 

SOURCES:

• White Iced Fir Christmas Tree, Atticus Deconstructed Chair, Holt Carved Side Table, Poinsettia Pillow — Grandin Road

• Vintage Fireplace Mantel, Gate, Mirror — Thrifted

• Faux Fur Blanket Throw — Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart

• Pink Ornaments, Vintage — I used 36 total 

• NEW White & Silver Ornaments — Big Lots 2 boxes of 16 for $16

• All other ornaments — I had on-hand, primarily silver & gold

• Fa la la la la la Glitter Banner — Pottery Barn Kids $22 (currently sold-out) 

• Firefly Lighted Jars — HomeGoods, I’ve had them for year

• DIY Wood Christmas Tree Box — find the free tutorial by clicking here

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