Living Room "Santa" Tree

This year our living room tree is themed as a "Santa" tree.  I thought this would be a great way to showcase all of our Santa ornaments that we've collected over the years.  I also picked up a couple new ornaments this year, just a few that caught my eye for one reason or another, nothing extravagant.  And last year in the "after Christmas" sales at Michael's, I had picked up a few Santa ornaments then.  So I figured we'd have plenty to do a whole tree.

Unfortunately, when I pulled out the ornaments, it turned out that we didn't have as many as I thought.  I started to worry that we wouldn't have enough to fill the tree.   So I added stars too, and some ribbon and some berry floral picks.  In the end, I think it turned out pretty - sort of understated, but definitely themed.

What do you think?

BEFORE:  The tree comes pre-lit, but here it is undecorated.  It's a 9' Frasier Fir.

I put in some berry florals, and then started to wrap the green ribbon around the tree.  But I wasn't liking the way the ribbon was looking, so I stopped and took it off.

I decided to mix two colors of ribbon - a red and green plaid, and the solid green.  Unfortunately, I only had about three yards of the plaid.  And I didn't like to "wrap around" look, it wasn't laying right and i couldn't make it work.  So I cut both ribbons into short lengths - the plaid was cut into about 18" lengths, and the green into about 30" lengths.  I bent the wire edges into wavy or curly shapes, and I cut "V" into each end.  Then I laid these ribbons onto the tree branches, sort of alternating which went where.  I love the colors, but wish I had more of the plaid.  Oh well!  I made it work.

Next, I put in some simple ball ornaments in red and gold, using both shiny and satin finishes.

Then I put in three different types of stars:  Some red, brass, and clear acrylic.

Finally, I added the Santa ornaments.  I had six of the large Santa faces with fuzzy beards.  I spread them out evenly across the tree. Then I filled in with the smaller ornaments.  

The Ice Skating Santa is a special ornament.  When I was a little girl, my mom had an ice skating Santa and Mrs. Claus.  My sisters and I always made sure that these ornaments were placed on the tree front and center.  When my sisters and I started getting old enough to leave the house, my mom gave each of us one of these Ice Skating Santa ornaments for our own trees.  They are not exactly like my mom's but they carry the memory with them.

THese next few Santas were hand-carved by my dad.  He is a self-taught wood carver, and I love these.  He carves in caricature style.

Here are some of the cute ornaments that caught my eye this year and found their way onto our tree.

This one was made by my daughter when she was in 3rd or 4th grade.  I smile every time I see it!

I finished off the tree top by putting a simple Santa hat. I figured that was just right!

I wrapped the bottom of the tree with a gold tablecloth that I bought at WalMart a few years ago.  We use it on the table in the fall, then make it into a tree skirt at Christmas time!

Finally, I put one of my Santa figures near the tree, flanked by faux poinsettias.  

And with that, we'll call it done!  

I'm linking today to Between Naps On The Back Porch's Metamorphosis Monday.

Also linking to Krafty Kat's Holiday Hook-up.