BRIANA: Forget the whole real tree vs. fake tree debate. Let’s taste the rainbow. Do colorful Christmas trees make you say “Ho, ho, ho!” or “NO, NO, NO!”?
BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN: I prefer a bold-colored tree over the usual green. It sparks more creativity for putting together an unexpected Christmas color scheme. For example: Hot pink and seafoam ornaments on a hunter green pine tree make no impact and look stupid-ish. Stick those sassy mommas on an ultra-white, turquoise or black tree and KAZAM!, graphic, technicolor world peace.
GRANT: I’m a traditionalist in most other decor areas, but goodness gracious — I am sick to death of green trees and all-white lights. For the love, why is that still popular? For that matter, why are outdoor icicle lights still happening? It. Doesn’t. Look. Like. Snow. But, I digress. Ho, ho, ho, bring on some color!
KAYLA: I’m going to defend the trend with a picture of the top half of my Christmas tree. It’s icy purple (yay, Grant!) and covered in pink bow ornaments, cupcakes and silver balls. Glitter everywhere. Obviously my boyfriend is thrilled with the uber-feminine holiday decor.
MARIANNE: Our big tree is a real one, but it’s decorated in a riot of color (big colorful lights, bubble lights, and vintage ornaments!). I do have a tiny, glittery pink tree in another room that I have a real soft spot for. I just can’t let go of my real tree.
ABBI: I am now obsessed with Grant’s red Christmas tree. That. Is. Amazing. But, I’m also drawn to a semi-new trend that Grant wrote about on the blog: black Christmas trees. I think that light and colorful ornaments would just pop out and look so cool on a dark, dark tree like this:
LIZ: I was totally torn this year. I love the tradition of going to pick out a real tree and dressing it with vintage ornaments, but sparkly trees are just so fun! I’m especially loving vintage aluminum trees:
So I have a large real tree, and a small silver tinsel tree. Who knows, I may get Grant’s red tree and have THREE next year.
FARIMA: I love that vintage tree! I don’t like the smell of a real tree in my house, so I’m all about artificial ones. The colorful ones remind me of candy and feel more festive than the traditional green.
CAMILLE: I feel the same way about the crazy colorful trees as I do about the SUVs dressed up like reindeer or grown adults wearing sweaters that light up – they’re funny, a little bit of Christmas kitsch. Would I have one in my house? No fa-la-la way.
Photo, from left to right: The Daily Green, Party City
You’ve heard our spectrum of opinions on colorful Christmas trees, now tell us how YOU feel:
I'm all for everyone else having a colorful tree (except the black!) but I like having a real one for the smell alone.
You can't beat that smell! And I love the tradition of going out to get one every year.
[...] Christmas Trees Glorious or Gaudy? HGTV Design Happens Fri, December 7, 2012 8:00 PM UTC HGTV Design Happens Rate Share (function(){var [...]
I love a green tree with vintage and colorful ornaments.
The silver tinsel trees are so retro. And don't forget the color wheel to shine on it.
I'm enjoying a white tree this year, with different colored ornaments. And different colored lights as well.
There's something captivating about that red tree.
Real green tree, different colors for lights, different colors for ornaments, and icicles. Star on top.
The Christmas tree should suit your personality!
For me its got be a REAL green tree with blue lights(its a tradtion my moms tree growing up was decorated with blue lights and now our tree is), a hodgepode of homemade and Hallmark ordaments, and the angel my grandmother crosstiched.
I'm such a real tree purist (green and full of sap), but these are great examples from across the spectrum!
Why the green Christmas tree with white lights? Tradition. Before I had a child, I was very into the modern Christmas and my tree coordinated with my decor. Now, I want my kids to experience the joy and history that comes with decorating our home for Christmas — the kissing balls made by their great grandmother and the handmade ornaments from their great aunt, the personalized ornaments given to me by my mother every year with the date so that I have one for each year of my childhood (a tradition that I am continuing with my own children), the stuffed Rudolph and sleigh that sit on the window sill… These are cherished memories I have of Christmas while I was growing up that I want to pass on. Before children, the modern trees might have appealed more, but it just wouldn't have the same feel. And I do love the smell of a real tree.
I love traditions for Christmas and will always have them in our home. But I also love the different personalities we get to see at this time of year. We always pile our kids in the car and ride around to try to find the gaudiest decorations on other people's homes so our children can enjoy the different flavors of the season. How boring the holidays would be if everyone decorated the same.
I love the colored trees. We have a traditional green and a hot pink one complete with pink lights, feather garlands and flamingo ornaments. Beautiful!
I would love a black one with turquoise and silver ornaments.
Like the white it reminds me of snow but the rest thumbs down
I put up six trees this Christmas! Tree #1 Green 10ft with peach and copper ornaments; Tree#2 Peach tree with copper ornaments; Tree #3 White tree with brown ornaments; Tree #4 Copper tree with large gold and ivory musical instruments and notes (by far my favorite) Tree #5 Mocha tree with champagne, gold and white ornaments; and Half tree with peach and white ornaments. A coordinated effort!
Striking and stylish, but hard to live with for a month.
[...] HGTV shared the latest trend in Christmas trees, asking are they “glorious or gaudy”? What do you think? [...]
The red christmas tree in the white flat. Its amazing, where is this from? I've been looking for a 8ft one exactly like that! I need one for this year! Please help..