Putting My Heart into the Valentine's Tree

As 2010 made its grand entrance with a wintry blast and a shiver, I found that while I was well-ready to say goodbye to the tinsel and Santas and angels and stockings for another year, there was one holiday guest I wasn't quite ready to bid adieu... The livingroom Christmas tree.

The truth is, I'd grown quite fond of the warm light it produced in the evenings. It was like a smoke-free fireplace in a way, helping chase away the blues of Seasonal Affective Disorder better than any candles I'd ever had.

So it occurred to me that this welcome holiday visitor didn't need to go quite so soon... if it had a little makeover. And that's how the Valentine's tree was born...
Green ornaments were traded for pink ones. Gold, for fuschia. Peacock feathers were replaced by small pink feathery birds. And Valentine's Day ribbon, which I'd gotten last year after the holiday for virtually nothing, worked its way in place of more Christmassy strands...

The red medieval-styled tree skirt has been exchanged for the pink, rose-printed Shabby Chic one I normally use in my guest room...
And some of the birds from that tree perched down here as well...
I already had some heart-shaped ornaments, which I use on the Christmas tree every year. They stayed...
And I added some with pink roses embedded in them, for a little extra Victorian flair...
The bow up top, printed in hearts, also was something I'd put away from last year. The angel that was there has been relieved of duty until next Christmas season...
In between putting the rest of the decor away, I've also been noodling around with my blue sitting room, transitioning it from Christmas to everyday. I'm still working on it, but it seems like it might be a good place for some fairy figures I have...

A little floral garland hides the lamp cords, while the "Joy" and a "Believe" are left from Christmas and seem to apply equally well to the fairy theme...
The white and blue Christmas tree has been replaced by a salvage yard cherub lamp and thrifted fringed shade. It still looks like it isn't quite right, but I imagine I'll figure out what it's missing in a few days...
Wishing you all a wonderful 2010 filled with warmth, happiness and inspiration!

12 comments:

Andrea said...

Your Valentine tree looks wonderful. Better than a lot of Christmas trees that I've seen. I had the same idea...instead of having a once-a-year Christmas tree, I want to have a "holiday" tree. I want to find a smaller tree though. It may even sit on a table.

I love the fairies...I got 6 new fairies for Christmas and will be posting them on my blog soon.

Stay warm, if that's possible. It was 6 below here last night and I would imagine that it's not much better where you are.

Life Goes On said...

I have a friend in minnesota with a small sun room, she never takes down her tree.
i dont think she changes decorations even.
I love the valentine tree.
How about a St Patrick's tree in green ribbons and cute green dressed men. Fourth of July tree
Why not sounds fun, the ideas are endless. Found you last evening, will be back

Flowers said...

Glad to see your Valentine tree. It looks awesome. I have never seen anything like it.

My Vintage Treasures said...

ADORABLE!!! and a GREAT IDEA!!!

Jenn Thorson said...

Andrea- Yes, I've seen folks do the "holiday tree" with quite a bit of success. Usually, I believe, they're table-top sized which works well year-round. I'll probably just keep this up until February-- by then the days should be getting longer and the light will be less necessary. You keep warm, too-- yes, our temps are just about like yours. Brrrr!

Life Goes On- Oh, it's true, you could probably do any number of themes, and reuse many plain ornaments for different holidays.

Flowers- Thanks, and thanks for visiting!

My Vintage Treasures- I'm so glad folks think it's successful. I was really hustling yesterday to try to finish it in time for the post! :)

Toni said...

Too cute! I keep a small, primitive pencil tree in my stair landing up year 'round, changing the ornaments and lights with each season/holiday. Who says trees need to be up for just Christmas! Plus, it's just one more thing to scour the thrift shops for special little trinkets to hang on it through the year!

Ben said...

I like it. A Valentines Day tree. You could even hang cards with excerpts of classic romantic poetry. That would be a pretty cool thing as well.

Lucy said...

Way better than putting it all away!

red.neck chic said...

Oh my gosh - I love it!!! So pretty and girly... right up my alley! You almost make me want to pull my tree back out of the storage. LOLOL

;-) robelyn

Anonymous said...

Nice post & nice blog. I love both.

Glass Bottles said...

WOW... Valentines tree!!! I really like the concept of changing the tree with the seasons. It always amazes me with how some people can come up with the greatest ideas to highlight an otherwise one use item... well done, I will pass this along

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Love your Valentine's Day tree! I have 6 trees still up and decorated for Valentine's Day. I love to decorate for the holidays....all holidays!
Debbie @ Debbie-Dabble