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Christmas Tree Question

Georgiagrama — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:58:11 GMT

Do you use Tinsel or Ribbon on your tree? I've always used silver tinsel - always. I like the way it shimmers when the lights are on and I take great pains to drape it just perfectly.

However, I've seen some beautiful ribbon on the Wal Mart online site. I'm teetering 🤷‍♀️

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Growing — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:02:35 GMT

Change is good. Do something new this year and if you don't like it, go back to the old way next year. I don't use either, I have potted Italian pine trees from last year that I have gotten to grow like crazy. They will be big enfor some real decorations this year. Big enough is two feet tall. I have two and last year they were those tiny ones you buy in a box store, we put one on each side of the fireplace.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

LuvmyLab — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:11:00 GMT

I use neither. When I was young we always put tinsel on our Xmas tree. I prefer our tree now without tinsel. I have never tried ribbons.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

hopi — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:16:44 GMT

@Georgiagrama wrote:
Do you use Tinsel or Ribbon on your tree? I've always used silver tinsel - always. I like the way it shimmers when the lights are on and I take great pains to drape it just perfectly.
However, I've seen some beautiful ribbon on the Wal Mart online site. I'm teetering 🤷‍♀️

Have not seen or done tinsel since forever. Warms my heart to hear that you still take the time to be perfect with it. I was OCD about it. My sister uses ribbon its very pretty gives your tree a whole new look. Try the ribbon you will love it. There are so many youtube videos on how to.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

GenXmuse — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:18:25 GMT

Tinsel is such a mess, I think the ribbons are a lot nicer.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

luvmybeetle — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:33:19 GMT

We used to do tinsel years ago and I was a perfectionist about it. I use ribbon that has wire edges now. I even made a big bow for the top of the tree from that ribbon maker that Lisa Robertson sold years ago. I am also a fanatic about putting my ornaments on the tree. Most of my ornaments are glass blown. (most are Christopher Radko) When I was a little girl and even before I was born my mother had an ornament that she wrote each year around it. There are two that start at 1941. So I have also done the same thing since I got married in 1974. I take very good care of my mother's as, of course, they are very old. Sorry for getting off subject.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Georgiagrama — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:42:04 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote:
We used to do tinsel years ago and I was a perfectionist about it. I use ribbon that has wire edges now. I even made a big bow for the top of the tree from that ribbon maker that Lisa Robertson sold years ago. I am also a fanatic about putting my ornaments on the tree. Most of my ornaments are glass blown. (most are Christopher Radko) When I was a little girl and even before I was born my mother had an ornament that she wrote each year around it. There are two that start at 1941. So I have also done the same thing since I got married in 1974. I take very good care of my mother's as, of course, they are very old. Sorry for getting off subject.

@luvmybeetle Don't apologise for getting off subject. I love reading about how people have kept their Christmas tree traditions. I guess that's why I'm hesitant to go with the ribbon. I have old Shiny Bright ornaments that were my grandmothers, and one very sad looking angel ornament that was on my very first Christmas tree 70+ years ago. I'm very sentimental about my Christmas tree and my creche if nothing else.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Kachina624 — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:44:40 GMT

@Georgiagrama Can you still even buy tinsel? I haven't seen it used for years. I can just see my dad meticulously placing every strand.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

luvmybeetle — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:47:40 GMT

@Georgiagrama I think whatever you do is important. I've always felt Christmas was a wonderful time of year and so meaningful. Tradition that you have with your ornaments is very important. It shows you have respect for your family and the holiday. God bless.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Georgiagrama — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:53:45 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Georgiagrama Can you still even buy tinsel? I haven't seen it used for years. I can just see my dad meticulously placing every strand.

@Kachina624 Oh yes! You can still get it. All different colors and sizes. I still use the silver because I like the reflection of the ornaments and the shimmer when the lights are on.

But, I think you are referring to what I always called icicles. You have to place them very carefully one by one. I can't use that (although I have several boxes 😊) because of my cats.

The tinsel I'm referring to are the strands that you have to drape around your tree. My mother used to tell me it was supposed to look like snow had fallen on the branches of the tree.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Georgiagrama — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:55:33 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote:
@Georgiagrama I think whatever you do is important. I've always felt Christmas was a wonderful time of year and so meaningful. Tradition that you have with your ornaments is very important. It shows you have respect for your family and the holiday. God bless.

@luvmybeetle What a lovely response. You warmed my heart. Thank you. God bless you as well, and have a beautiful Christmas.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Meowingkitty — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 03:34:26 GMT

Neither. I have 5 kitties so tinsel is a big no. Ribbon looks like to much work. Just lights and ornaments.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

beach-mom — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 03:50:02 GMT

Tinsel - and DH is a stickler about carefully separating each strand. We have real trees (my mom's family owned a Christmas tree farm). He doesn't put any on the bottom branches because of the kitties, but none of ours has ever bothered tinsel. They do like to bat the (unbreakable) ornaments on the lower branches.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Azcowgirl — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:40:08 GMT

I think what you're describing is the silver garland that is one looooong piece rather than the tiny strands that come in a package, is that right @Georgiagrama ?

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Nataliesgramma — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:10:50 GMT

I've done both but my current favorite is the colored beads on the spool...

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Mary Bailey — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:24:59 GMT

I do ribbon now. I did beads back in the 80s and tinsel when I was a kid.

This year I bought irridecent ribbon. I think I bought some ribbon after Christmas last year.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

faeriemoon — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:33:30 GMT

I have never cared for things wrapped around a Christmas tree, whether it be garland, ribbon, pearls, beads, etc. And personally, I don't like tinsel.

Occasionally, I insert silk/sparkly flowers among the branches, but it's not something I do every year.

All of my ornaments - silver, gold, bronze, white- are glass and sparkly, so I don't really need more glitz to make the tree shine.

Whatever floats your boat I say.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:36:45 GMT

For the past few years I have used bows on my tree, loved the look, but want something different, so think I will go with Ribbon this year! My bows were red and gold.

Re: Christmas Tree Question

Somertime — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:13:53 GMT

I don't use any tinsel. The tinsel when I was a child was lead tinsel and it was weighted, the tinsel, today, is too light weight for me and it moves with the slightest breeze. I do use handmade bows on my tree and I purchase baby's breath from the florist and put small clumps on the tree which makes it look like snow. I purchased a flip tree from Balsam Hill a few years ago. What a pleasure! It is in two pieces, the top half is small and easy to handle, the large bottom half is on wheels, so you roll it into position, lock the wheels, easily turn it upside down, add the small top, plug it in.......voila........all done. It has the lights already installed and when you add the top, it connects to the light on the bottom, no fiddling around trying to find the connecting cord! It comes with 1,000 lights.

What a pleasure! So much easier and a beautiful tree. It was expensive but worth it, the last tree I'll ever purchase! Should have done this years ago, one I could no longer handle a real tree by myself.

I am sure all your trees look beautiful and give you much joy of Christmas' past!

Re: Christmas Tree Question

ScrapHappy — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:50:42 GMT

@Georgiagrama wrote:
Do you use Tinsel or Ribbon on your tree? I've always used silver tinsel - always. I like the way it shimmers when the lights are on and I take great pains to drape it just perfectly.
However, I've seen some beautiful ribbon on the Wal Mart online site. I'm teetering 🤷‍♀️

I usually use ribbon. That and gold beading throughout. Our tree is all gold...top to bottom with an electric gold star on top. I have switched it up in the past with multi-color and tinsel (husband loves tinsel). I try to give a little of what he likes and what I like.