Do you double your holiday ambience?
OK -- I'm a sucker for a good pun, so I felt compelled to reuse this Shakespeare one, with a new twist. Are you a one tree or a two tree family? With the advent of 24/7 HGTV and DIY network shows that teach us all to be mini-Martha Stewarts, more and more of my neighbors are setting up a "theme tree" in addition to their family tree. The additional trees can be based on a concept (toys trains, old-fashioned Christmas, country), a color (monochromatic or dichromatic), or a culture (Old World, Mexico, British). While I initially rejected the concept of multiple trees as something that looked too staged, I am starting to come around……..with some caveats.
If you're having a themed holiday party (i.e. A Charles Dickens Christmas), then a thematic tree is perfect for setting the mood. If you have a particular architectural feature that you'd like to highlight (i.e. a two story foyer that could be maximized with a tall, monochromatic tree), then a special tree could be your holiday answer. If your family tree is in a room that doesn't have a window facing the front yard, then an additional tree could be a decorative element.
Take advantage of post-holiday sales, to purchase a quality, artificial tree at bargain basement prices. That way, you'll be able to "Two Tree" on a whim!
