Planning Ahead – New Year’s Trees

Posted on December 16, 2010 by admin

What is red hot and has 460 lights and 807 tips? The Red Paradise Tinsel Tree, of course. Very haute couture, modern and fun at the same time, this tree is perfect for transitioning into the new year. When other people are taking down their greenery, you can dress up this fabulous tree with the freshness of 2011!

Traditionally people take down their trees anytime between the day after Christmas and the Twelfth Night, the evening of the 5th of January. To everyone here at Seasons Dreams, it seems a little premature! Why not celebrate well into the month of January? Dressing up Tinsel Trees is a festive way to welcome in the New Year, with all its exciting possibilities! To make this tree say “Happy New Year!”, try decorating it with noise makers, faux champagne glasses, even little cakes reminiscent of the Twelfth Night cake tradition. With it’s sparkle and verve, your tree will remind you of the joys to come.

The vibrant purple tinsel trees look gorgeous dressed festively for Mardi Gras season, no matter what area of the country you live in. Take a cue from New Orleanians and put up a purple tree. Dress it in more purple, green and gold to mark the season of Lessez Les Bon Temps Roule! Masks, garland and beads make this tree memorable until Fat Tuesday!

Season Dreams trees are too beautiful to put away too early! Be creative and come up with your own ideas of how to make the holidays last. And be sure to share them! We’d love to hear from you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Multi-Tree Household

Posted on December 8, 2010 by admin

Not every family is meant to be a single-tree household, especially if you have more than 3 people in said household. In fact, unless your family resembles the Stepford ones, chances are each person has his or her own idea of what the perfect tree looks like.

We have three trees in my house. Excessive? I used to think so. Then I married a man with specific tastes. Then I had three children.

Republican/Democrat. Messy/neat. Saver/spender. My husband and I are complete opposites so when it came to buying our first tree together as a married couple, it didn’t surprise either of us that we couldn’t agree on our perfect tree. I’m more of a whimsical tree person, who likes colors and lights, like on this flocked tree with multi-colored lights. He’s more traditional, favoring a green tree with clear lights like this one. We went back and forth, actually getting into arguments about it. Finally, we decided a tree wasn’t worth getting a divorce over and we split the difference – my tree goes in the living room, his tree is in the front window for all to see.

When the kids came, I thought, “How lucky are they! Not everyone in the world gets two Christmas trees! They’re going to be able to choose their favorite of the two.” No such luck. When they saw my mom’s Bubble Tree, it was all over. They. Had. To. Have. That. Tree. Considering what my husband and I went through, I totally understood. Their Bubble Tree is in the playroom, where they can watch the lights and bubbles.

Christmas trees are more than just a symbol of a holiday and someplace to put presents under. They reflect our personalities. Some of us are more traditional, others more contemporary and still other more…bubbly. And that’s okay. After all, it’s the season to be jolly and what better way to be jolly than with your perfect tree?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Early Christmas Gifts

Posted on November 30, 2010 by admin

Who says holiday gifts have to come on the exact holiday date? Be the first person to give the best gifts of the holiday season. Here are some easy, creative ideas for you to put together memorable gifts!

“Light” Up a Basket. Not everyone has quality Christmas lights stored in the attic for use year after year. Make someone’s holiday bright by packing a basket of beautiful lights like these Sparkly Candles. Sweet, outdoor candles feature LED lights that look beautiful in the yard. Be an even better gift-giver and install them yourself as a surprise!

Supply the Tree Transportation. Your gift recipient may have the tree up and decorated, but chances are train set is missing. The North Pole Express G Gauge Train Set is wonderful to receive before the holidays! Families can enjoy this gift throughout the season and for years to come. When the coal tender, box car and caboose roll by year after year, it’ll be you they will remember.

Go Beyond the Traditional Christmas Tree. Not everyone has room for a 10 foot tree. And not everyone necessarily wants something that grand in the home. For those people, and for anyone with a corner, a fireplace or a table, we suggest this cheery set of 3 shorter trees. Place them around the room or group them together for a bigger impact. How lovely to be the one who provides the Christmas spirit without overtaking the room!

Be unique and finish your shopping today with these creative, early gift ideas for everyone on your list. Do you have any other ideas for early holiday presents? Share! We’d love to hear about them.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sleek and Chic – the Modernist Holiday Decorator

Posted on November 23, 2010 by admin

The Modernist is simple, contemporary and chic. Mid-century design captures your attention and you are drawn toward sleek, clean lines. More than likely, neutral tones and colors dominate your home with hints of black or gray peeking in. Organization is your forte and people see it in your sharp storage boxes and sparse wall hangings. Lucite furniture captivates you and you have a membership to MoMA. If you know what MoMA is, chances are you are a Modernist.

Holidays are an opportunity for you to add some color to your white décor and your contemporary sensibility might choose a colorful tree like this one. Colors not found in nature appeal to your sense of modernism.

Uncluttered décor lines your walkway. Simple outdoor trees such as these prelit ones would look perfect along the driveway.

Guests will enjoy your effortless, unlit Aspen Wreath, hung from your door with style and grace.

The Modernist vibe not striking a chord with you? Maybe you’re more Eclectic. Read more about this holiday decorating personality next week on the Season Dream blog!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Cozy, Comfortable Holiday Decorator

Posted on November 9, 2010 by admin

Suddenly Halloween is over! Soon we will be face to face with Black Friday and turkey leftovers. Join Season Dreams while we attempt to beat the holiday decorating rush by discovering and designing around our Holiday Decorating Personalities. Did you find yourself relating to The Sophisticate? If not, maybe you’re closer to The Flannel Casual.

Quick! What’s the first thing you think of when I say plaid skirts and hot Cocoa? If you said, “Me!”, chances are you are The Flannel Casual.

The Flannel Casual

You prefer comfort over trends and enjoy a low-key lifestyle. Slipcovers, cotton fabrics and unfussy wooden chairs grace your home. You would rather hang out with family and friends than hobnob at the Opera. The Flannel Casual is drawn to simple, early American décor and prefers natural over synthetic anything.

The Flannel Casual person will opt for a pretty flocked tree that resembles something found out in nature. This tree will look lovely with your handmade ornaments. Plus, it’s easy to imagine a train set making loops under your tree on snowy nights. There’s different-size train sets for different-sized trees, too. After all, you’re the type of person who appreciates convenience.

If comfy casual doesn’t ring true to you, and sophisticated elegance isn’t your thing either, maybe you’ll find yourself in the next Holiday Decorating Personality – The Modernista. Check back to soon to learn more!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Decoding Your Holiday Decorating Personality

Posted on November 2, 2010 by admin

This morning smelled of burning leaves. That crispness in the air means we are that much closer to our favorite holiday season – Christmas! I have a good idea of the direction I’m taking this year for my seasonal decorations. What about you? Still stuck on repeat from last year?

We talked about decorating using our personalities as the springboard in the last post. If you’re unsure where you fall in the “decorating personality” category, fear not. We at Season Dreams have narrowed down basic decorating categories into 4 sections: The Sophisticate, The Flannel Casual, The Modernista and The Eclectic. Surely one of these categories will connect with you. Once you figure out which ones does, that will be your decorating personality! Let’s start with The Sophisticate.

The Sophisticate

The Sophisticate is a timeless classic. You revere Tiffany & Co., Audrey Hepburn, Ralph Lauren and Princess Diana. You steer towards traditional furnishings and clothing and admire formalities of all sorts. Sophisticates are drawn to neutral tones and elegant rooms. Mahogany woods, marble countertops, crystal chandeliers and fine furniture lines are some of your home design favorite features.

For you, a holiday presentation includes rich garlands pre-lit with white lights, like this one. Line your entryway and mantle with them or consider draping them atop secretaries or even dining room breakfront cabinets.

You’ll like a grand tree that stands impressively full. A 12’ Ponderosa Pine like this one that comes pre-lit with clear lights saves you time and looks beautiful.

Finally, a few well-placed items such as this handsome St. Nick completes your Sophisticated holiday presentation.

The Sophisticate not you? Check back with us to read about another Holiday Decorating Personality, The Flannel Casual.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pre-Season Preparations

Posted on October 22, 2010 by admin

My grandmother kept the same tinsel, ornaments and even handmade snowflakes every holiday season for as long as I could remember. The same little fairy angel went in the exact same space on the mantel. The same tree topper was perched precariously at the top of the tree, despite its chips and dents that inevitably happened year after year of being unpacked and repacked.

While there was comfort in my grandmother’s Christmas tableau, I don’t subscribe to that routine practice. Each year finds something a little different in my holiday decorations – maybe the color scheme varies or I’ll experiment gently with motif. There were times when I went overboard (yes, there can be too many magnolias in a white wonderland). And there were times when I went too simplistic (10 ornaments do not look beautiful on a 9 foot tree). But while there have been yearly changes, my decorating personality has always been reflected in the outcome.

Planning for the holiday season is in full swing in these parts. We are making lists and checking them twice to make certain my outdoor wreath coordinates with these colorful trees to flank my front porch. This is a good time to examine your holiday decorating personality. Are you a Traditionalist? More Modern? Eclectic?

We’ll be taking a look at each personality over the next few weeks on our quest to develop your personal best in holiday décor! Make this year the year your personality shines in every detail!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment