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How To Make An Ombre Gradient Christmas Tree

In the esteemed words of Snooki… the party’s here!

Gradient Christmas Tree Title Card

Woop woop, the tree is up. And this year now that Clara’s a big girl who we think can handle real ornaments (well, we got a few shatter-proof ones for the very bottom just to be sure) we went with a gradient from white to hot pink to red. Booyah. Or as I’ve been saying way too often: boom goes the dynamite.

Christmas Tree Decorated With Gradient Ornaments White Silver Pink Purple Red

Oh and we have a bunch of meaningful/special ornaments that we love the most, but we save those for our real mini tree (we got a tabletop one last year and loved it so much that it’ll be a tradition). So we’ll post about that one as soon as we get it (don’t want it to die before Christmas, so maybe next week!).

Anyway, back to our gradient guy. We thought it would be fun to see the color get deeper as it got closer to the floor, and since we already had a bunch of white ornaments from our silver tree in 2007 and a bunch of soft pink ornaments from 2010 and homemade ones from last year’s Pinterest challenge, all we did was grab a few more hot pink and red ornaments (which only ran us about 12 bucks total, thanks to 50% off sales at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby).

Detail Of Red and Purple Ornaments On Gradient Christmas Tree Design

Let the record state that hubster wanted it just to go from white to red with some of those silvery pink ones in the mix since we already had them, but I’m a smooth talker… so that’s how hot pink ended up in the mix.

Then we just loaded each of the four colors onto the tree in bands of color with white at the top which led into light pink, hot pink, and bright red at the bottom. Oh and we added some $2 candy canes to the mix since they fit with the color scheme.

Close UP On Pink And Red Ornaments And Candy Canes On Gradient Christmas Tree

As usual we used our faux-sheepskins-from-Ikea to make a tree skirt. Oh and check out that bicycle ornament we grabbed for cheap at Target.

Red Reindeer Decoration At Bottom Of Gradient Christmas Tree

We also went sans topper. We’ve been waiting to buy one until we see one we totally love and that hasn’t happened yet, so wait we must.

Far View Of Gradient Christmas Tree Sitting Between Hallway And Kitchen

Here she is at night. I’ve named her Glowy Glowerson.

Night Time View Of Gradient Christmas Tree Going White Pink Red

And since I’m a list freak, here’s the rest of the stuff on my holiday wish list. I try not to be all stepford and pressure myself about it, but I can’t explain the endorphin rush that I get from crossing things off of a list. And don’t think I won’t cross things off even if I don’t do them if I run out of time, just for the satisfaction of crossing them off, because I totally roll like that.

  • set up the big tree (gradient, baby!)
  • get a live tabletop tree again (like we did last year – this year we have a new idea for the ornaments though!)
  • decorate the mantel, the built-ins, and the entryway console
  • hang our outside lights & decorate the front porch
  • shoot a Christmas picture of Clara & Burger for our annual holiday card
  • make an advent calendar for Clara? Ahh I’m behind already!
  • shop for slash make all the gifts on our Christmas list (about 50% done already, can’t wait to cross this sucker off!)

And since we’re talking trees. Here’s how we decorated ours back in 2007 & 2008 (with the same white and silver scheme):

Silver Decorated Christmas Tree In First House

Close Up of Silver And White Christmas Ornaments

And in 2009, we went crazy for citrus, and even dried fruit to make ornaments:

Dried Fruit Citrus Christmas Tree Decorations

Close Up Of Dried Orange Citrus Christmas Ornament Decoration

In 2010 we had green, pink, and silver shimma goin’ on:

Pink And Silver And Green Shimmer Christmas Ornament Color Scheme

Close Up Of Pink And Silver Ornaments On Christmas Tree

Here’s our tabletop tree from last year complete with homemade ornaments that I whipped up for a Pinterest Challenge:

Small Homemade Ornaments On Colorful Tabletop Christmas Tree

Detail of Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments On Table Top Tree

And here’s last year’s big tree with homemade paint chip ornaments and colorful ribbons (nothing that could shatter since Clara was 19 months old):

Christmas Tree Decorated With Paint Chip Ornaments

Detail Of Paint Chip Holiday Cut Out Christmas Ornaments

Feels kinda festive, eh? What are you guys doing to get into the holiday spirit? Or are you screaming “not ready!” and boycotting Christmas Carols until a certain magical “now it can be Christmastime” date? Are you making a list just for the satisfaction of crossing things off? Are you making anything homemade (gifts, food, advent calendars, etc)? Do tell.

Psst- Still in the mood for more holiday projects and pics? Click here for a gallery with over 25 holiday projects and ideas. 

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  3. Elizabeth says

    Love the tree. So fun! Reindeer are my Christmas decorating theme if you will, so I have to ask: where is the red reindeer sitting by your tree from?

    Reply

  4. Lauren says

    I love the red reindeer :) We just cut down our first live tree yesterday and our house smells amazing. Someday we’ll get around to adding the ornaments!

    FYI, if you haven’t been to Target in the past two days or been notified yet- there’s a major sale on the Nate Berkus stuff right now. I got one of the shower curtains for $5!

    Reply

  6. HelloDoorSeven says

    This is very sweet! :)
    I have a question. Doesn’t it come a bit expensive to buy new decorations every year? When I was a kid my family also would choose a theme color different every year and it was super fun, but it looks way too expensive right now. And what do you do with the decoration you don’t use anymore? Do you sell them?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It was only around $12 this year to get a few more boxes (we reusted all the silver ornaments and the light pink ones as well as having some hot pink ones we made last year and some red stars we already had). As for storing them, we just have two tupperware bins of ornaments but if it ever gets out of hand we will just donate or yard sale them! And of course we get to eat the candy-canes! Haha!

      xo
      s

  7. Erin says

    Yep, going to put together some different salts as little mini-gifts for some folks. So far I have smoked salt that we did in a cast-iron pan after my husband smoked some ribs, and Vanilla Bean-Cinnamon salt. Delicious on vanilla ice cream!

    Reply

  9. Karen says

    Book Stolen… I thought I would let you know how in demand your book is. I placed a copy on hold at my BnN and asked my mom to pick it up for me as a Christmas present. When she asked for it, they told her it had already been picked up! Someone took my copy and now they are out of stock! I guess the playroom will have to wait for its makeover!!

    Thanks for the tip I will contact the BnN you suggested.

    Reply

  11. Roxine says

    Hey, List Sister — I love to cross off items on my list, too. I remember when my 5 kids were younger — some days, you are so busy, but nothing on the list gets crossed off. So frustrating. Those were the days when I would make a new list with everything I had done that day and then cross each and every one off!! Very satisfying :-) Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  12. Audrey says

    A local radio station has been playing non-stop christmas music since thanksgiving. I thought it would just be for thanksgiving day… but it’s all christmas songs, all the time.

    Too soon?? yes, i think so…..

    Reply

  13. Val says

    Ahhh!! This is so awesome! I love the ombre effect! Never would have thought of that, ever. Those squiggly ones really do look like bacon, which I support entirely. Can’t wait to see what you do with the little tree.

    We weren’t going to put up a tree this year because we just weren’t going to be able to pay for it. I was really bummed, but trying to be a big girl about it. But then my in-laws surprised us with a tree yesterday! I am so excited about it. We’re letting it open up today and we’re going to decorate it tonight after the bambino is in bed — I can’t concentrate on work because I’m so stoked about our early “Christmas miracle.”

    Reply

  14. Rebecca S says

    WOW! I love your tree this year, it is really gorgeous. It looks just right with your tree skirt. We have a busy 16 month old son and a 10 month old Bombay kitten this year, so I definitely think we are going to stick to ones that won’t break. I actually really love your paint sample tree too, I need to think of our own twist on ornaments from paper.

    Reply

  15. Ethne @ Wom-Mom says

    Our tree is full of family ornaments from childhood and now the girls’ too. Some homemade like your mini tree. My godmother gave me an ornament every year as a kid from her travels with her husband in the air force. I always love the memories. In that tradition, we give the girls each an ornament every year – this year’s are my homemade acorn owls like I gave you one of at the book signing. Of course, I admire your stylish tree every year – as usual!!

    Reply

  17. Annie says

    Awwww, I love Glowey Glowerson!
    Totally impressed with your years of color scheme/design theme trees! I’m usually ready to give up after I get the lights on.
    I’m waiting on your tree topper :)

    Reply

  19. Kara says

    Hey J & S,
    Your tree looks awesome. I was at the spy museum on Saturday while you all were a bit down the street at living social! Can’t believe I missed you!
    If you have time in the next few days, could you check out my blog and fill out the Christmas survey I have up? Thanks (if you get a chance)!

    -Kara

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      No way! We walked right by the spy museum! Looks like fun! As for the survey we’ll have to check it out and answer those questions if we have a moment!

      xo
      s

  20. Kym V says

    We and by we I mean I…because it was I who went and bought them and therefore get to decorate with them…are going with jewel tones this year. I can’t wait. Thanks to Target and a $15 box of ornaments we will have enough to get our decorating on tonight. YES!

    Reply

  21. Lindsay says

    We just made a super quick and inexpensive advent calendar for the kids. Found some cute Xmas themed treat bags at target, wrote numbers on them and hung them from a clothes line with clips. Inside we have papers with activities like “bake cookies” or “drive around and find the house with the best lights” or “write a family xmas story”…spending time together is definitely the best part of the holidays and now we have cute ways to do something together everyday.

    Reply

  22. Sara C says

    I’m so impressed that your Christmas trees always look so put together! Mine always end up with a hodgepodge of ornaments!

    Christmas decorations usually don’t go up at my house till after my birthday (Dec 10). My mom started that when I was a kid because she wanted my birthday to be separate…I guess the tradition just stuck!

    Reply

  23. Amy @ Woodlawn Lane says

    Oh I LOVE that! I am so excited to be decorating a big tree this year…we had a table top tree last year too, my daughter is the same age as Clara. I will have to keep this in mind for future trees! We are doing bright blue, red and green this year.

    Reply

  24. Rebecca says

    I love your tree! So pretty :) I was wondering about the IKEA sheepskins you used for your tree skirt. Did you use a couple? How do you overlap them so they look like one piece??

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, it’s two of them sort of wrapped around the bottom. I just drop them on the floor facing each other (like two arrows pointing at each other) and shove them under the tree and mold them so they curve.

      xo
      s

  25. Andrea says

    I love crossing things off of lists too. This weekend’s To-Do list included #4. Watch Downton Abbey Season 2 Finale. Not hard to do, plus I got the added satisfaction of putting a line through it at the end of the night!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hilarious! Sometimes mine says “eat lunch!” – seriously, just to cross it off (and because I’m known to forget and then want to gnaw my arm off at 5pm).

      xo
      s

  27. littleoakcreations says

    The gradient is fantastic! Our Christmas tree is filled with a hodge podge of meaningful ornaments, but I have always admired and envied the perfectly decorated Christmas tree. I’d love to do one with all green bulbs with white lights or something of the sort one day.

    Reply

  30. Monica says

    love the gradient

    Clara’s first viewing reminded me of my childhood. My parents were kind of crazy…in our house Santa decorated the tree! We would put the tree up a few days before or a week or so before Xmas, and put the lights on it. Then, when we came downstairs in the morning, not only were there presents, but the beautifully decorated tree as well. It was truly magical, but was a lot of work for my parents who were generally up very late in Xmas eve decorating, wrapping and putting various toys together….

    Reply

  31. Michelle N says

    I love the ideas you guys come with for your tree! This year and the dried fruit are my favorites thus far. I like the idea of a table top tree, wish I had more space for one. I love the bike ornament, thinking about picking up a few just to have for future trees, ha

    Our tree is purple and silver. Purple and silver snow flakes, purple felt hearts and glittery/sequin balls! Next year I’m going use your idea with the dried fruit!

    Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  32. Cindy@DesignLove says

    Neat tree! I have to say, I’ve never thought about decorating a tree from the top down like that! I do zig-zags with the ornaments all over. Kind of a wierd comment maybe, but I found it different, but looks great!
    lol

    Cindy

    Reply

  34. Ashley S. says

    I LOVE the gradient – very creative and I love that you didn’t have to buy many new ornaments. I’m always impressed that you guys come up with something different every year without spending a lot of money!

    Oh, and the “boom goes the dynamite” comment… all I could think of was this video. I don’t know if the link will come up, but it’s definitely worth watching :)

    Reply

  35. Erica says

    Just thought you guys should know there’s a rocking moose on sale at IKEA – thought it would be great in Clara’s big girl bedroom with her moose lamp :) It’s $19.99 for IKEA family members. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  38. Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says

    I love the gradient look!
    This is our first Christmas with a toddler so I completely understand the shatter proof ornaments. Our tree is decorated all the way down except for the bottom foot since our little girl is tempted to use the tree to pull up on.

    Reply

  40. Sara says

    LOVE the gradient idea for the tree!

    Our tree is (and has always been) full of sentimental ornaments (along with a few filler ornaments – we’ve only been married 2.5 years and haven’t asked for our “little kid” ornaments from our parents yet, so we needed some filler ornaments in the mean time! But one day, when we have a house and can put up TWO Christmas trees, I’d love to try this out! Thanks for the inspiration :)

    Reply

  41. Kellie says

    I grew up having real Christmas trees (my grandparents ran a Christmas tree farm!), so naturally, I’m all about our fake white tree. The husband grew up with fake trees, so he’s all about playing lumberjack and getting a real one. So we take turns each year. This year it’s real, which is a bit ambitious with an 18-month-old who apparently has a real taste for pine needles.

    Today I just finished making wreaths and hanging them on the upper kitchen cabinets, as well as making salt-dough ornaments to give the neighbors. Then I have about 6 more presents to make before I’m done – whew! This is actually the most relaxed I’ve been in December because I got an early start. I had most of the gifts made and wrapped before October!

    Reply

  42. Jenny says

    Crazy to realize i’ve been following this blog long enough to remember all of those “past years trees” from when they were still “this year’s tree”…and I don’t even have a house! Maybe I need some real hobbies and not just dream hobbies? :P anyway I really like this one, but the orange tree is still my favorite I think :) Always in awe of your creativity and what you come up with!!!

    Reply

  43. Stephanie N says

    HaHa! You said Bacon and Burger came running around the corner! What timing!

    Love the tree and the gradient idea. Very on trend!! ;)

    I am 43 and never found a topper for my tree either. I could never find just that perfect one. But I now have what was my moms. It is just a plastic angel but it’s around 40 years old, fits my tree perfectly and makes me think she is now up there smiling down on me. I’ll never have another one. :)

    Reply

  44. Tiffinie says

    Ohh, I like the colors! Awesome job guys!!! We just use the same decorations every year. I usually find one that strikes my fancy and add it to the collection.

    Also,we have done a table top tree for the past two years. Our dog, Boone, ate some of the ornaments of our usual 7ft tree the year before last. We’re not sure if it was because he actually had a tumor in his throat (found it on a complete fluke when we took him to the vet in Jan. 2010. The prognosis was only a few months but he did chemo and after there was no sign of the tumor and there still isn’t 1 1/2 years after his last treatment!!! Ok tangent over.) or just because sometimes he’s a jerk and likes to cause mischief. Last year we had a small real tree but this year we got a white one. I adore white trees and the retro vibe. :)

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3962530668013&set=a.1256209211668.2033930.1422738356&type=1&notif_t=like

    And the other thing that has put me in the holiday spirit is our mantel. Found it on Craigslist and then went all Pintrest on this bad boy!

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3962530668013&set=a.1256209211668.2033930.1422738356&type=1&notif_t=like#!/tiffinie.shalack/posts/3924566598935

    Reply

  46. Krissy says

    I love Christmas! Last year, we bought our first Christmas tree together on our anniversary (11/11), so it was up way too early (luckily it was fake). This year, we waited til the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We went with a brown/gold/red color scheme to match with our kitchen/living room. And then there are a couple handmade ornaments from my niece and nephew (macaroni wreath, anyone?). Oh… and “Puppy Love” ornaments from Hallmark (My mom has given me one every year for Christmas since 1993!)

    Here’s Murphy posed in front of it https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=392544260823459&set=a.108756665868888.14123.100002036668061&type=1&theater :)

    Reply

  47. Jennifer says

    We get a real tree and decorate the house every year right after Thanksgiving. It’s so much work I want to enjoy it as long as possible! I might get a fake tree at some point but I grew up with a real one and don’t know if I can give up that wonderful smell! There is really not much point in waiting around so close to Christmas to get a real tree unless you are going to cut it down yourself. Mine is literally cut down and shipped to Lowe’s well before Christmas anyway- haha! I’ve also noticed several commenters voicing concern over cutting down a live tree. They are grown by a business specifically for that reason so no reason to feel bad :) It’s actually far more environmentally friendly to have a live tree. You would have to drive a very very long way to cut down a live tree for it not to be. But fake trees are beautiful too. I have a couple of fake mini trees in the kid’s room and kitchen. I know lots of people who have the theme “pretty” tree in a window and then a more sentimental tree in the den or living room like you do. I think it’s a great idea!

    Reply

  48. Jennie says

    Oh, how cute are you guys? Just watched the tree-decorating videos and it really put me in the mood to decorate my own house. I decorate a historic mansion every year (it takes the entire month of November!) as part of my work, (but really, who can complain about that, right?!) so it can be tough to get motivated to get started on the decor at home. Now I am feeling refreshed – thanks!

    Reply

  50. Krysta says

    I just keep coming back to look at this. I love it soooooo much. I just put my tree up and now I’m thinking of taking all the ornaments off and starting over.

    Reply

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