Themed Christmas trees...What's your style? Part Two

     In our last blog post, we learned about how the evergreen symbolized "everlasting life" to people as early as the Romans and Egyptians.  In the 16th century, Germany is credited with beginning the original Christmas tree traditions.  We know from reading that the popular Queen Victoria was instrumental in making the decorated Christmas tree a standard in homes and that just by copying her Americans quickly adopted the practice.  Today, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree is steeped in many American households. 
     At Haj-Paj Boutique, we took the job of purchasing the perfect ornaments for your tree very seriously!  We spent many hours at the Atlanta market this summer choosing ornaments that will fit most any theme you have in mind. Part One of this blog outlined some suggestions for tree themes.  We hope you will take the time to consider what your theme will be and stop in and let us help you!  Here are a few more suggestions:

• Woodland or Nature Tree--how about a tree adorned with pine cones, grapevines, branches, and even "snow"!  You could add birds, owls, squirrels, and sprinkle it with "stars".

•  An Advent Tree--This is a fun and meaningful theme for a tree where children can get involved in counting down those long days until Christmas.  You could hang small "presents" on the tree that could be taken down one day at a time leading up to Christmas.  Kids will get a kick out of "un-decorating" the tree!

•  Vintage Aluminum Tree--Raise your hand if you remember the shiny, silver tree in your grandmother's house or your own house that had the color wheel that would throw red, green, blue, and yellow light on the tree?!  Well, those trees are making a come-back...all things old are new again!  Be the first on your street to take a trip back in time!

      Some other ideas for your tree might be using that deco poly mesh that has been so popular or how about a patriotic themed tree?  If you are an animal lover there are a myriad of ways to incorporate that theme into your tree this year.  Decorating a Christmas tree is a terrific way to express your own personal taste...a way to show your family and friends how creative and inspired you are at the holidays!
     Stop in the store today and let your Haj-Paj family set you on your way to create a new theme for your tree or to add to an existing theme.  We'd love to be a part of your holiday!

Themed Christmas Trees...What's Your Style? Part One

     Don't we all wish that we could hire an interior designer to decorate our Christmas tree each year?  Well, at Haj-Paj Boutique that is often a dream we voice out loud...really loud! But instead we focused all of our energy at the July market in Atlanta selecting just the right THEME for our store Christmas trees.  While you guys were on the beach, at Summer picnics, and riding roller coasters we were thinking winter, cold, and Christmas!  Don't get me wrong; it was fun and fruitful for us and we KNOW we've selected just the right ornaments for your tree.
     Let's step back in time for just a moment and explore why we decorate Christmas trees in the first place...'cause if you really think about it, why would you cut down a tree, bring it in your home, and hang things on it??  Thousands of years ago, the evergreen was symbolic to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Druids, and Vikings as 'everlasting life' since these trees stay green all year round.

Martin Luther, 16th Century

     Fast forward to Germany in the 16th Century, which is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know it today, found devout Christians bringing evergreens into their homes to decorate them.  It is widely believed that Martin Luther, the 16th Century reformer, was the first to add 'light' to the trees by adding candles.

Queen Victoria 1846

     By 1846, popular royals Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert, were seen standing with their children around a decorated Christmas tree. Because Victoria was a popular Queen, everyone copied her...including the people on the East Coast of America...and so the American Christmas tree was born!  By the 1890's, Christmas tree ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise in America.
     The early 20th century brought electricity to trees making it possible for trees to glow day after day.  Lighted and decorated Christmas trees began to appear everywhere and having a Christmas tree in your home became an American tradition.(http://www.history.com)
     Back to Haj-Paj Boutique and the year 2012...believe it or not, but it's that time of year again...time to drag out all of our time-honored Christmas traditions, all of our time-weathered outdoor decorations, and all of our time-worn family Christmas tree decorations. How will you decorate your tree this year?
     Consider some of these options as you think of a theme for your tree:

All white and Gold

• Color--will your tree be monochromatic?  Perhaps an all red tree or all blue.  Maybe you'll select the traditional colors of red and green or spice it up with jewel tones. Or the dramatic effect of an all white tree...how fabulous!
• Children's Art Projects--every year our children bring us home their school-made ornaments and planning one of your trees around these treasures makes Christmas all the more special.

Childrens' Art Projects

• Beach Inspired--Here in North Carolina we are fortunate to have an entire coastline of beautiful beaches, so if you live in a state much like ours or if you'd like to dream of living in coastal state, perhaps a beach inspired tree will be just the one for you!

     As you think about these ideas, give us a few more days and we'll give you some more INSPIRATIONS!!!  Part Two coming soon!

In the meantime, stop by the store and check out all the 

ornaments we stocked just for your next themed tree!  

Or maybe you just need one fabulous ornament for a 

gift or an exchange...we got it!