You read that right. Faux-laroid as in fake Polaroid. We decided to carry over our photo love from the THANKS collage onto our tree this year. Since we changed our Christmas colors up completely from the previous years, we needed an inexpensive way to add decorations to the tree. Bonus it’s kid friendly…no glass ornaments to break around here.
Nick set up a template in photoshop that would mimic the Polaroid look. We selected about 60 pictures from this year to print out. The pictures are 3.5″ x 3.5″ not including the white space.
Once I had the pictures, I just needed to trim some of the white space off the bottom. The final size of the picture ornament is 4″ x 4.5″. I taped hemp to the back, so the pictures would hang on the tree.
Our tree is decorated with our faux-laroids, the mod podge book ornaments, and some paper mache stars painted with leftovers from the chairs. The stars were on clearance for $1 at Michaels, so it seemed like the easiest way to incorporate our pop of pink into the tree. There are a few gold glitter ornaments left over from prior years that are scattered in there as well.
The decor still has a consistent neutral base that doesn’t clash with the hot pink and bright blue. From the beginning we wanted to make sure things didn’t get too circusy with the bold colors. I think the tree and mantel compliment each other nicely. I am glad our stocking holder pictures don’t have any white space. It helps separate the 2 ideas instead looking like a mini version of the same thing.
I felt like I could make a pink tree skirt without throwing everything out of balance, so I went for it. It’s a felt scalloped skirt that incredibly easy to make…like 30 minutes total. I modified Martha Stewart’s template, so the skirt was much larger and actually proportional to our tree.
Not to overplay the picture thing but we went with photos on our Christmas presents. I really wanted to do cute gift tags and all the beautiful gift wrap ideas you see on Pinterest, but Ramona can’t read yet. (I know she’s already 3 I should really get on that. 😉 ) I think the picture on the present will be more fun for her. However she already told me that she was going to open her presents, so I might regret it later.
So here’s the budget breakdown of decorating this 9 foot beauty:
Pink Stars: $5
Book Ornaments: $5 (2 boxes @ 2.50 each)
Pictures: $10
Star: $15 (I didn’t want to DIY anything…lazy)
Skirt: $6
$36 which isn’t bad considering we had to pretty much start from scratch except a few gold ornaments. Plus the pictures will be used again somehow. I don’t have anything up my sleeve yet, but I’m going to stretch that $10.
Go check out more beautiful trees at Honey We’re Home.
Your tree is so creative! I love the photo idea and the non-traditional colors!!
Thank you! This is the first non-traditional Christmas we have had – color wise anyway. It’s been fun to rethink everything.
LOVE it!!! so unique and fun!
All these pictures of us around now I’m starting to think we are a little vain! 😉
Love those pictures. Polaroid is one of my favorite formats. Also that photo of Ramona in the airplane… So awesome. It almost look like the propeller is sticking out of the image.
Yes our little Amelia Earhart! I’ve never looked at it that way, but yeah makes it even cooler! 😉
This is cute! I’m totally with Ramona. Let’s open presents already!
Ah don’t encourage that! Although I just buy my own presents and don’t bother wrapping them at this point in my life, so I guess I’m siding with your mantra. Except in Ramona’s case, that girl has to wait.
Sooooo cute! I love the non-traditional colors you used and the faux-laroids
Do you guys have a real tree? Just wondering since we’d like to get a new (fake) tree for next year (during after Christmas sales) and we need a 9′ tree too!
No I’m too lazy to dispose of a real tree once the season is over. Not that taking down and storing and fluffing a fake one is really a time saver. Every year I tell myself that maybe just maybe next year will be the year we actually get a real tree. So check back next year 😉
What a smart idea, especially with little ones running around! I love it! And the pop of pink is always fun too
Thanks Ashley! Ramona is into everything so it’s nice to have 1 less thing to worry about!
What a creative way to make your tree more personal! Such a great idea! Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks Megan! Merry Christmas to you too!