Welcome to the 2021 Christmas Tree Blog Hop! This year, I’m sharing an Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree.
Before we get to my tree, I want to thank Michelle at Our Craft Mom for putting this Christmas Tree Blog Hop together. It’s a great hop to view a bunch of beautiful decorated Christmas Trees from across the blogsphere. And since this Christmas Tree Blog Hop is all about sharing Christmas trees, be sure to visit Virginia’s Traditional Flocked Christmas Tree with Swarovski Ornaments or Kirsten’s Minimalist Tree and the other beautiful decorated trees at the end of this post.
Birth of the Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree
Ok, now on to this year’s tree! I love changing up the tree, but like I said in many of my past Christmas tree posts, my kids prefer a more traditional tree. So, this tree Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree is the perfect marriage for everyone in the family. I get a festive new Hawaiian Christmas tree and the kids get the traditional gold and red color scheme they love.
Now, I have to say that I’m pretty lucky that I had most of the items on-hand to create this tropical Christmas tree. The shipping issues that have been plaguing this year’s retail industry would have made it extremely difficult and expensive to start this tree from scratch. In general, many faux flowers have been sold out in stores and online, so I made do with what I had and what I was able to find.
Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree Flowers and Garland
In case you don’t know, I grew up in Hawaii and tried to use flowers that reminded me of home. See those red orchids? My grandpa grew various orchids in the backyard, so orchids will always remind me of home and were the main flowers for this tree. In fact, I wiped out two Hobby Lobby stores of all their red orchids inventory just for this tree (sorry to those that live near me).
In addition to orchids, I used red Anthuriums, another flower my grandpa grew under the mango tree and proteas found in most Hawaii flower shops. Then, for the tree garland, I used a fern garland that I decorated with various flowers to mimic a Hawaiian Haku Lei. There’s even Poinsettias all over the tree, which is the most common plant used to decorate Hawaii malls during the holidays.
Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree Ornaments and Fillers
Since I couldn’t get enough flowers to fill in the tree, I used lots of various sized ornament balls and ball clusters to fill in empty spots. If you look closely at the tree, there are very special large orange hand-blown glass ornaments. I found these special ornaments at Neiman Marcus over 10 years ago and this is their first Christmas tree debut! Raise your hand if you’ve bought things because they were too good to pass up and had them in storage for a long time before using them.
For dimensional interest and more filler, I used lots of palm leaves, gold glitter sprays, and black iced sprays throughout the tree. The palm leaves were in my stash from my Luau Santa Christmas Tree and the gold glitter and black iced picks were new additions from Hobby Lobby. These picks were both under $1.00 and an inexpensive way to add some glitz and glam to the tree.
Why did I chose these picks? Well, the gold glitter picks helps to add the traditional Christmas gold and gives the tree a lot of texture. The black iced picks remind me of coral and helps to add another layer of interest and dimension. Two other reasons I like these picks: will work into future trees and can be easily stored flat.
Tropical Tree Topper
Finally, I wanted the top to look like an erupting volcano. To create this lava effect, I used a large red glitter spray with three gold sprays wired together and gold ribbon to fill around it. At night, I think it gives off the glowing look of an active volcano.
Speaking of that glowing volcano look, I’ll give you a Christmas tree decorating tip. If you like fully packed trees, add extra lights! This it a prelit tree with over 750 lights, but I added 400 more lights to help with any lights blocked by the ornaments and to give it that ‘glow from within’ at night.
I hope you enjoyed this Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree. For more gorgeous holiday trees, make sure to visit the other bloggers in the Christmas Tree Blog Hop too.
Shop the Elegant Tropical Christmas Tree
Items used to decorate this tree and alternative items.
More Christmas Tree Decor Ideas – 2021 Christmas Tree Blog Hop Host Trees
Be sure to visit all the participating bloggers for decorating inspiration for your Christmas tree…
Our Crafty Mom // Red Cottage Chronicles// From House to Home// Simple Nature Decor
Virginia Sweet Pea// 2 Bees in a Pod// First Day of Home// Across the Boulevard
Simply Beautiful by Angela // Happily Ever After, etc.// Madness and Method// Zucchini Sisters
Purple Hues and Me// Tribe of Burton// My Pinterventures// Modern on Monticello
Jenron Designs// Design Morsels// Oh Fiddle Dee Dee // Redneck Rhapsody
Wow, Erlene! You really nailed the tropical theme! I’m loving the vibrant colors. This makes me want to try decorating a non-traditional style tree next year. I’m so inspired! I love how you continued the theme on the mantel, too. It was nice hopping with you. Happy Holidays! Pinned 🙂
Your trees always make me happy and want to have my own “tropical” Christmas. Really, on a beach with a Mia Tia or Pina Colada at the tips of my finger, while looking at one of your trees.
I’m glad you get the tropical vibes. I would join you on the beach. I’m such a whimp when it comes to cold weather.
Erlene your tree is so unique and pretty. I enjoy seeing your themed trees every year. You make them so colorful and pretty each time.
Thank you Donna. I’m glad you like the trees 🙂
Erlene, I’m totally blown away by your gorgeous tropical Christmas tree. It makes me wish I was on a tropical island right now :-)! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us again this year. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
This is such an amazing tree my friend I love the bold tropical theme it makes me want a vacation LOL!
Such a lovely tree, and it’s definitely a unique theme! I wouldn’t have thought to add more lights to the tree, great tip 🙂
Thanks Nicole. I always add more lights since I like to pack it on…lol.
Your tree is amazing, all the colors remind me of the beach.
Thanks Maria. Wouldn’t it be nice to be at the beach during the winter? 🙂
What a great idea to do a tropical tree! I love all the palm leaves and tropical flowers. So pretty!
Thank you Wanda. I hope to add more tropical flowers to my collection next year.
Your tropical Christmas tree is beautiful, Erlene! I love that it tells a story of happy memories! Well done!
Thank you Gail. I tried to use things flowers with some meaning since there aren’t really any collected ornaments on this one.
Erlene, your tree is amazing! I absolutely love that you celebrated your Hawaiian heritage in this tree. The colors and textures are so lively, and it’s such a fresh take on Christmas decor. Too bad for those other people near your Hobby Lobby if they’re looking for tropical decor! Ha!
I am in love with your tropical Christmas tree, Erlene! The colors that you used along with the tropical greenery are gorgeous.
Erlene! I love your tree! It’s so pretty and the colors are soooo amazing… they literally pop off the screen. I love the tropical take and all of the fun florals you used. It makes me feel like I’m off on a cruise to the Caribbean!
Thank you. Yay, I’m glad you get the tropical vibe 🙂
I love your tropical tree, Erlene and I enjoyed reading about your reasons for choosing the decorations and florals you used. It’s wonderful to use flowers that remind you of your grandfather and growing up in Hawaii. It’s festive and sentimental at the same time – a perfect combination.
Thanks Beverly. I try to pick things that have meaning, it makes decorating a bit more meaningful 🙂
Erlene – your tropical tree is so beautiful and unique! You definitely created a way to marry together the decor to keep everyone in the family happy. We could gaze at this tree for hours!
Thank you. Yes, my kids were happy with this one…lol
This is really an unusual tree. I love the palm leaves and the red orchid flowers. It is gorgeous.
Thank you! I tried to give this tree the feel of Hawaii.