I love being a part of the Michaels Makers team. It’s so fun to come up with a project each month with a theme! And so when Michaels asked if I would take part in their #DreamTree Challenge I was so excited. This is the third year that I have partnered with Michaels to create a tree. And it really is one of the highlights of my year. I love decorating for Christmas and it’s so fun to think up a theme tree each year!
Here’s what I did! Last year I created a gold tree with sunburst mirrors and the year before I created a winter white tree with framed family pictures. As I was thinking about what I wanted to create this year I was really struck by the thought of a really happy red and white tree. And I love counting down to Christmas. So I thought it would be fun to make a 12 Days of Christmas tree and hang the packages on the tree – kind of as big ornaments. I always am looking for creative alternatives to tree skirts. This year I found buckets in the Michaels basket aisle. I loved that they were covered in sweater material and in red and white too. I knew one bucket would be too small for the tree base, so I bought two and opened the seam on each and hot glued them together to make a container large enough for the tree base. 
I also LOVE the star marquee that I found at Michaels. It looked amazing all rusty, but I thought it would fit in better with my red and white theme if I spray painted it bright red. I love the way it turned out. 
For the advent presents, I used plain white boxes and containers and then found different sized numbers and spray painted them red. I hot glued the numbers on the packages and I used boxes and containers that can be opened easily so I can use them over again each year. 
I also glittered some BIG letters that spell out 12 DAYS and hung them on the tree. I love how happy and bright my tree is. And I know my kids will love opening a present each day with a special activity and treat for us to do together!
I can’t wait to see the rest of the trees that the other Michaels Makers members have made. Stop by Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the full Dream Tree Challenge and all of the fabulous trees!!
- Head into Michaels Nov. 2 through Nov. 8 for the Make It Merry Tree Event – 50% off all trees 6 ft. or taller!!!
- To kick off the holiday season, make sure and check out of Michaels’ Make it Merry inspiration book or all kinds of holiday tips and projects.
- And check out Michaels’ Make it Merry inspiration book for all kinds of holiday tips and projects.
Here are the trees I created the last two years:
Winter White Family Photo Tree
Have a HAPPY Day!
xoxo
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That tree is just too cool for school. Much inspiration for next year! Thanks for a beautifully crafted and photographed post.
Truly no matter if someone doesn’t understand
after that its up to other visitors that they will help, so here it happens.
I love this! You’ve inspired me, I’m going with red and white this year!!! You did a fabulous job on this tree.
Mary
I want to live in your house with this tree. Amazing!
~Jenn
These trees are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Also wanted to let you know about a new linky party starting this Saturday at 8pm called “Found & Foraged” Can’t wait to party with you at http://www.houseofhipsters.com
Yowza ~ such a beautiful tree and I love that the theme is Advent ~ such a wonderful idea.
LOVE your yellow chandelier!
Hello there! I love what you’ve made, but I want to offer a point of clarification. You’ve confused Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas. Advent refers to the time prior to Christmas as we await our Savior’s birth. (Technically speaking, Advent always begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25, which is November 30th this year.) The 12 days of Christmas refers to the 12 days marking from the time from Jesus’ arrival to the arrival of the 3 kings in Bethlehem – which is always December 25th through January 6th. To be theologically correct, you and your family should open those gifts during the 12 days after Christmas.
Keep up the wonderful inspiration,
From one Jen to another. 🙂
THANK YOU for posting this. When I saw this post I was a bit appauled
Beautiful tree!! Yes, thanks for clarifying this. The 12 days of Christmas are celebrated from 12/25-1/06–the feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. But this is still a beautiful tree to admire during Advent AND Christmas. 🙂
We celebrate Advent in our home, but not the 12 days of Christmas. “To be theologically correct” means to trust what the Bible says as truth, rather than to believe legends that came about because the Biblical account of the Magi is too sparse for us. We must trust what God has chosen to reveal in His Word, and not make up stuff because the details are lacking for us!
Legends were firmly ensconced in the church by 300AD., including the number of Magi (probably due to 3 gifts), that they were Kings (they were sorcerers/magicians-Acts 13:6 is the same word), and the Feast of Epiphany was erroneously selected by the church to celebrate when the Magi visited Jesus (why erroneous? see more below).
Jesus was more likely a child of two, maybe a little less, when the Magi came to worship him. Let’s look at the timeline in the Bible: After the baby was born, Joseph and Mary circumcise him (8 days later). Mary then completed her time of purification (33 more days). Then the family traveled to Jerusalem to present Jesus and offer two turtledoves (about 6 weeks after his birth), all according to the Law (Lk2:21-24, Leviticus 12). Then the Magi visit Jesus and worship Him not in the INN [kataluma], but in a HOUSE [oikia] (Mt 2:11). Also note in this verse that Jesus is a CHILD, not a BABY. So most likely, Jesus had lived with Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, after moving to a house, for some time after his birth.
After the Magi’s visit, Joseph and Mary immediately fled to Egypt to flee Herod’s wrath (Matt 2:13-14). They probably lived there until Herod died (4BC), then returned to Galilee to their own city of Nazareth (Lk.2:39). By the time Herod determined he had been duped by the Wise men, he figured that if he killed all males up to two years old, that would bracket the time frame sufficiently to kill the foretold child (Mt.2:16).
We can celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, but let’s realize it’s man-made and not based on Biblical truth.
Such a cute idea for a Christmas tree! Love the colors too. 🙂
I love all your trees! You are giving me major Christmas inspiration right now! Thanks for sharing.
This looks amazing!
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xx
The trees are lovely but the 12 Days of Christmas come after Christmas Day, they are the Epiphany from the day after Christmas to January 6, Advent refers to the 24 days before Christmas.
Thanks for sharing my tree!!!
xoxoxox