What's old, odd or just looks and feels wrong is ripe for a new tradition. Many people have started their own holiday traditions, with a new focus on friends as family and what 's old is new again. As families shrink, divorce, move or divide their time in several places at one time (depending on odd or even weeks). And as children grow up, some scatter to far flung places or like most return home and stay for an undisclosed amount of time.
The more common new tradition is friends bringing their traditions together and creating something totally new and why this is happening is because they are "there" for each other. Traditions have become, well, a little upside-down, yet totally creative and a way to mix things up for effects, emotional experiences of sharing, caring and love during the holidays. I love, love, love Christmas, for me, it's magical, it's intense sharing, emotional, fun, activity filled, parties, family, friends, clients, gifts, surprises, very spiritual as it builds and memory lasting when it's gone.
The History of the Upside-Down Fir Tree: It's really not new at all: According to the Christmas Archives, "In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity."
In December 2007 these upside-down trees were all the rage, the prestigious Hammacher Schlemmer (image above) holiday supply company, which has been in business over 150 years, couldn't keep their seven-foot tall pre-lit upside-down Christmas tree in stock. It costs $600 U.S. with a lifetime guarantee. This gives you an idea of how popular this latest trend in Christmas tree and decorations have become.
This year as I searched the Internet their are quite a few sites that have everything listed about Christmas trees, history, most unusual trees, new colors in trees, most expensive, tallest, most lights, least lights etc. and for fun do search it's really exciting here's some examples:
Colored Trees from Treetopia Colorful Christmas Trees. If you really love Christmas and live in celebration, of trees, all year long with colored trees you could have it all. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter trees to match any and all decor in this case, no matter where you live. Great for shop owners to decorate and display with handmade goods all year. Consult your designer for more ideas!
The Hanging Cordless Lighted Tree is a perfect idea for additional trees in your house. In the guest room, converted attic space or limited living spaces like studio apartments, condo's and even the office or studio space and kids rooms too. Very cool!
I really like this Tuxedo Tree in the right setting and decorations it's very modern looking and chic. This would be great in a very formal December Wedding reception room, celebrity/corporate party/promotion for the holidays, hotel lobby as well as high rises in the city. Stunningly Gorgeous!
The great thing about adding new traditions is that if you try it, and you don't like it, you can always change it again next year. Then there's always the decision of selecting an artificial tree for the surreal effects of lights, decorations, colors, dimensions and wow factors. They can be put up earlier and taken down later in the season. Easy to tuck/pack away in storage. They're so simple to purchase with lights and decorations in most cases.
Or the traditional selections and effects of a real tree like this one.
The wonderful thing about real live trees is the smell of the forest in your own home. The sense of nature spreading it's branches out to you in all it's decorated glory. The downside is the short lifespan unless you use a potted tree that you can bring in for the season and put back outside afterwords. It's everything you've grown to love in a real tree including the pine needles. Hearts desire!
Another thought is using an existing Living Landscape Tree like this:
The benefits to this is no moving indoors or back out, great fresh smell, looks great and can be lit with a fantastic wow factor and it lives on. Magical!
Then there's the true iFantasy Computer/Flat Screen or Click Tree (my name for this) that lives forever in your mind. Just click to set up, click to take down, easy to store in your Christmas folder on your computer. Simple to redesign, change light colors, background for different effects, add music, snow gently falling, a gold star on top or laser beams or whatever your hearts desire. Techno dreams!
This year try something new for the holidays adding a new twist to your traditions. Change a color scheme, lights, circle of friends. Try staying home for the holidays, especially if you haven't done if before and even if the thought of something new makes you feel a little uneasy, do it anyway! You never know what you'll learn about yourself or others in the process.
Sometimes it's that one thing you dare to try that has such impact on you...and everyone else in the room, that you're so glad you did. Because it was an instant success and will live on in you just as you light up the room literally for others!
And you can look back at 2009 and say a new tradition was born this year, a spark, a light, a fire, and that new tradition was you seeing things differently. A thought, a wish, a desire...your thoughts become things. New Christmas Traditions, Trees and Things are Awesome! Become Enlightened this Christmas season and see the magic happen through your interactions with others around you!
What new tradition are you adding this year?
Are you seeing things differently this season?
