This post is brought to you by Personal Creations.
A few years ago I was gifted my very first faux Christmas tree to decorate for a project and I’ve used it each year since. Not only does it make decorating a snap, it fits perfectly in our long slanted hallway sitting area so I can spread holiday cheer around the entire house. SO FUN! I love the way this lit tree gives a soft amber glow to the hallway all season long, and I miss it when the holidays are over. I generally decorate this cute little tree with more traditional Christmas colors like reds and greens and golds, which happens to coordinate with the area quite well.
This year, with Personal Creations, I was able to really customize and personalize our little upstairs Christmas tree to suit our little family. And since we don’t have kids, and since our pets are the loves of our lives, it quickly became a pet-centric theme, which makes me smile each time I pass it.
Over the years we’ve collected ornaments and stockings for Bebop and LeRoy, but this is Trevor and Randy’s first Christmas, so it was exciting to grab a few ornaments with their names on them as well as stockings of their very own. Though the sock monkey ornaments are quite large for a tree, they’re unbelievably adorable, especially with the boys’ names written on their tiny monkey scarves. I bought two extra standing versions in blue for their stockings and grabbed a new knit stocking for Bebop as well.
Though I’m well into adulthood, I’ve never had an actual “tree skirt” for my Christmas trees. I’ve always used an old satin bed sheet or scrap fabric, and in the past few years, faux sheepskin has been a favorite for its fluffy-white-snowy-look. Personal Creations has a few ADORABLE tree skirt options, like the classic plaid and velvet trim skirt seen above. It’s heavy and beautiful and now it’s personalized! Since we’re just a little bit obsessed with HBO’s Game of Thrones, “House Tintari” seems pretty appropriate for all personalized items in our home.
Quite possibly my favorite ornament though, is the one I got for LeRoy. January will already be a year since we had to say goodbye to him, but since he’s in our hearts and minds daily, I still wanted his memory on the tree. I found this pretty clear glass ornament with a black paw print on the back and had his name painted on the front. I teared up a little when I opened it, and then again when I hung it on the tree. I happened to hang it next to one of his older ornaments, which just sort of twisted and looked up at it while I hung it.
I love personalizing in a special way that’s just a little bit different from the norm but so very close to our hearts. It’s those memories, feelings, and emotions that wash over us each year when we unbox all of our Christmas decorations and begin decorating and hanging ornaments on the tree that remind us of the life behind and the life ahead. But in this very moment is where it all collides and we find so much to be grateful for in this life right now.
Proof you don’t have to use a name to make it personal. Use a word that has meaning to you… or everyone. I love this “love” ornament.
Randy was more of an observer of the decorating while Trevor wanted to sniff everything and sit under the tree to sneakily eat the tree branches… but I caught a few of him simply looking cute.
Since we don’t have a mantel, I have to find creative ways to hang our stockings, and since I had the pet theme going upstairs, I hung each of the boys stockings from the hooks on the stairwell cabinets, which is admittedly adorable, if I do say so myself.
I splurged on a few hand-painted glass birthstone ornaments for us. They’ll go on our main tree downstairs, but for now they’re hanging beautifully in front of my DIY Feather Wall Art. They’re so pretty in person and though I had our names written on them, I thought having our astrological signs {gemini & pisces} written on them would have maybe been a little cuter. It was an afterthought, of course, but they’re gorgeous nonetheless.
The finished tree..
I topped the tree off with my 3d DIY Gold Geo Pipe Cleaner Star and called it a day.
And here’s a little something for YOU!!
Personal Creations is offering a $500 gift code to one lucky winner to shop for fun holiday ornaments and decorations. But think of all the great gifts you can get too! Personalized gifts are special, unique and personal, of course!
The giveaway is open through December 17, 2014 at midnight PST.
Use code PCSM20 at checkout for 20% off your purchase at Personal Creations
Happy Holidays & Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don’t forget to use code PCSM20 at checkout for 20% off your entire purchase at Personal Creations
This post is brought to you by Personal Creations.
Benedetta
Aww is so beautiful!!!!
Be Happy with Fashion
Danielle
I would love to personalize stockings for me and my husband along with our cat, Layla. That a great give-away!
Emily
You have such a beautiful tree!
Liz
LOVE the personalized Christmas Tree skirt, and we still need a tree topper.
Stacy M
I love the tree skirt! We’re big fans of the show too.
Andrea Perullo
I would love to make something for my future son (he should be here in about 8 weeks)!
drollgirl
HOUSE TINTARI! so cute! you have such a way with…EVERYTHING! adorable. 🙂
Patti
I would love a new tree skirt like yours! But with our last name of course! Ha ha
keely
so adorbs!
nat
cute! candy canes are always good!
Misty
I love Personal Creations! I have been very pleased with everything I’ve ordered from them so far!
Jeanne
Stunning inspo!
♥♥♥
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
Kim D.
I would like to create ornaments for my tree.
Nikki
I would create a personalized doormat. Thanks!
Lily
I’d choose the Rectangle Casserole Dish!
Ashley C
I’d love the Burlap Initial Doormat
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Jazmin W
I would get customized dog beds for my dogs.
Jessica
I would make the Plush Magnetic Stroller Blanket for my baby.
grace renee
I’d make some personalized gifts for my mom (:
Elizabeth Williams
I love the personalized sock monkeys! I could see a tree of them.
Tairalyn Ciulla
A Ragdoll for Sofia Marie. She would just LOVE that, a combination of a doll and a stuffy, who could ask for anything more?
xxoo
Tairalyn
Luna S
I would get custom stockings made!
Jamie Rose
I’d definitely make my family custom mugs!
Jaclyn Reynolds
Would love some personalized ornaments!
jessica w
I would for sure do the personalized knit argyle/snowflake stockings http://gifts.personalcreations.com/gifts/Knit-Argyle–Snowflake-Stockings-30169525?ref=pcrsclfbpage&viewpos=2&trackingpgroup=PCHRBSL but LOVE the personalized Galvanized Beverage Tub also! http://gifts.personalcreations.com/gifts/galvanized-beverage-tub-30131827?ref=pcrsclfbpage&viewpos=19&trackingpgroup=PHOMBSL
Heather
My pup is named Monkey so a sock monkey ornament would be perfect!
Danielle
Would love to personalize ornaments and stockings for my family!!
Crissie Woolard
I would make a Family Tree Throw. THEY HAVE SO SO MUCH I LOVE!!! THIS WOULD BE AN AMAZING GIVEAWAY TO WIN. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley
I would have the Vintage Handcrafted Needlepoint Stockings made!
KV
I’d get personalized ornaments.
Bonnie C.
I really like the Willow Tree Mother/Daughter Angels. 🙂
Thanks for having this giveaway, Merry Christmas!
Kristen McVeay
I just love Personal Creations, personalized gifts come from the heart and show you really care.
Annette
I’d like to make some Etched Glass Ornaments.
Julie
http://www.mioam.org
Enjoy reading your blog.