Reveal: Michael’s Dream Christmas Tree Challenge

 

First of all, I loved all of your opinions and comments when I asked for help choosing the theme for the Michael’s Dream Christmas Tree Challenge 2013.  When it came right down to it, I decided to take the advice many of you gave about challenging myself.  After all, this is a Dream Tree CHALLENGE.  So I decided to face a decorating fear of mine and go for “super elegant”.  My fear with a super elegant theme is that I could totally mess it up and add elements that just don’t go.  I wanted to steer clear of the gaudy look, but still have a tree chalk full of Christmas beauty.  That being said I went a completely different way from my previous thinking and chose a Silver & Gold theme. The ornaments I chose are so glittery and perfectly elegant.  They aren’t bold and bright or traditional, but they still make a gorgeous statement. 

Let the challenge begin!

I made a trip to Michaels Crafts, but this time to actually purchase the tree décor instead of wandering around wondering what theme I should choose.  Once I spotted the Silver & Gold decorations, I was set on using it! I filled 2 carts with spools of ribbon, dainty silver and gold ornaments, glittery sprigs and 6 over-the-top gorgeous giant glittered reindeer (3 silver and 3 gold).  With the trunk of my car full of beautiful sparkly awesomeness, I could barely contain my excitement as I drove home to start decorating.

I laid out all my ornaments, ribbon, sprigs, and décor, set-up my most amazing tree and just stood there…sufficiently challenged!  I had no idea how to even begin such an undertaking.  I took a picture of all the loot I had scored and my naked Christmas Tree and sent it to Kari with the text “HELP!” hoping she would drive right over and show me how to create a Christmas tree that would wow you! After all, she did create a gorgeous tree for the Michaels Challenge last year. Instead she sent a text back that said, “Start with the biggest ornaments and work your way down to the smallest ones.”  Are you kidding me?  That’s it?!  I thought, “there is no way it is that easy!”  Then I took her big sister advice and just started placing the biggest ornaments: the giant reindeer. 

Then I placed the big gold stars. Then the glittery balls, etc. Surprisingly, this was actually easier than I anticipated.  After a couple of hours and lots of “stepping back to have a look,” I had all the ornaments in place.  Now to fill in the holes; for this I used ribbon and the many sprigs I had purchased.  Finally, I was finished and I plugged in the lights on the tree for the first time. 

I LOVE IT!  This Elegant Silver & Gold tree shines!  It is truly my Dream Christmas Tree.  I am so glad I accepted the challenge to go beyond what I would normally do and stretch myself.  The results are far greater than I thought possible!

Thanks to Michaels Crafts for providing the beautiful tree and gift card to purchase the ornaments.  I had a fun time and am more than pleased with the results. 

 

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