A truly natural Christmas tree
Rain drops poured down and the canvas tarp atop our family car whipped about as we traveled along the highway at a modest speed. I couldn’t count how many times I glanced through the sunroof (rainroof?) to see the top of our tightly bound tree lifting with the wind - then quickly falling back towards the roof - only to be abruptly pulled up even further than the time before. The drive home felt like an eternity. But finally, we had made it!
Hours before, we took Hudson to a local organic Christmas tree farm to pick out our very first, live Christmas tree. Tyler took the lead and searched up and over the rows of trees to find our perfect match. I followed behind with Hudson as he leisurely enjoyed taking in a bit of each pine’s sweet fragrance. Then, there it was. Not too full, just the right height, & well balanced branches filled with happy, upward-pointing leaves.
Hudson and I proudly watched as Tyler begin to saw back and forth at the base of the tree. I recalled the look of the handsaw and genuinely wondered if it was a photo prop. Can you really cut a tree with that thing? Turns out, you can! Especially if you’re a super strong, lumberjack of a man like my husband. Hudson and I cheered on the sidelines. Go Daddy! We happily wheeled our handcut tree over to the checkout.
Standing in line, Tyler & I smiled at each other while we watched Hudson’s eyes light up at the wonder all around us. Hudson let out an excited squeal and tightly grabbed on to Tyler’s neck for a big hug. These are the moments we will never forget. We left the farm with our perfect little pine, hand in hand & cozy in the car, while Hudson eagerly relayed all he had to say about his experience. No doubt, this will be our new family tradition.
When we arrived home after our journey in the rain, we brought the tree in the house and I giggled at how soft the branches felt. Our tree got a bath on the drive home. It was fresh, hydrated, and ready to be welcomed into our home. We put an extra sleepy Hudson down after his long, busy day and we got to work decorating our sweet tree. Tyler turned on some classic Christmas music, and we gently filled the branches with cheerful woolen garlands & delicate cotton ornaments.
We took a step back and admired our new friend. What a journey it had been. What precious memories sweetened its branches. I hope to slow down and enjoy Christmas in this way every year. Not taking for granted the small, simple moments - and joyfully laughing through all of the challenges. We hugged & shared a slow kiss and in that quiet moment I was filled with peace as I soaked in our countless blessings.
I was so inspired by the experience of finding our very own organic tree, and this year I redecorated our tree with classic, sustainable ornaments and accessories. I’ll be sharing a few simple ideas for a truly natural Christmas tree below. I hope you’ll be inspired too!
Organic Christmas tree
I hadn’t heard about an organic Christmas tree until this year. Now that I know this is a thing, I couldn’t be more excited about it! Unfortunately, if you google “organic Christmas tree farm” there might not be many results. I found it helpful to search for “u-cut” farms in our area and then I contacted the owners to ask if they spray their trees with pesticides. I highly recommend finding and cutting your own tree, not only for a healthier home but for the wonderful memories that come along with it.
Oak & steel base
As I searched for a sustainable tree base, I came along several great options like the traditional, heirloom cast iron stand as well a variety of beautiful wooden & steel designs. I decided to go with Krinner Kopenhagen’s Oak + Steel Christmas Tree Stand that I found on Anthropologie’s website. I love its simple, sleek construction & that it’s crafted in Germany with high quality, natural materials.
Wool & cotton ornaments
If you haven’t heard of The Little Market, then you’re in for a treat. They are a nonprofit, fair trade shop who celebrate artisans around the world and advocate for social justice and human rights in all communities. They sell a beautiful variety of unique, handmade, & sustainable items that are classic & timeless. This year I fell in love with their woolen & recycled cotton ornaments - our Christmas tree is exclusively decorated with TLM!
Linen tree skirt
There are plenty of great natural tree skirt options out there - knitted wool, embroidered cotton, and clean linen all make for a classic, beautiful base. We ended up going with The Citizenry’s Prisha Linen Tree Skirt in olive. Although we went for a plain color, I seriously considered Etsy shop owner Linenandcloth’s gorgeous patterned linen tree skirts. Check them out if you’re into a more vintage, eclectic look.
Sharing links below (The Citizenry’s linen tree skirt appears to have sold out):
As we admire our trees this year, I hope that we’ll take time to soak in all of the joy and memories that are made with it year after year. Not worrying about perfection, but instead being thankful for the gift that it is - to have a warm home, our loved ones, and a gorgeous, glittering display of lights to remind us each day of Christ’s unwavering love for us.
til next time,
Becks