***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Back by popular demand, Interiority Complex is announcing our 2nd Annual TREE CHIC AND HOLIDAY DECOR CONTEST which will support YOUR charity of choice here in the Austin-area! If your budget is a little tight this year, but you still want to help out an important cause, click here to find out how you can participate. ***
Now, on to the story of the 3 freaky-funky trees…
Far from traditional, this funky & colorful tree grouping suits my style and personality!
It was the Christmas of 2005 when I began the journey of “switching teams”. I used to be a die-hard classic REAL tree gal. Then at some point, I took a turn for the the funky and we now have a colorful faux tree grouping (pictured left).
What could possibly trigger this freaky tree frenzy? Well, you see… one day, my mother (a.k.a. “Mother Interior“) was fondly recalling how my fashion forward and domestic diva of a Grandmother once flocked a tree in pink when my mother was young. (Circa 1950′s — DON’T do the math. Mother Interior is 49 and holding.) As you can imagine, in the 1950′s, pink tree flocking was a bit unique and TREE chic!
Sadly, my creative, sweet and beloved grandmother passed away in the Fall of 2002. Holidays without her are especially tough. I still miss her deeply, and frequently find her “speaking” to me in interesting ways. Ok, I’m not going to go all James Van Praagh here, it’s nothing weird like that. For those of you who have lost a loved one, I’m sure you can relate. Signs, memories and manifestations abound after you lose someone near and dear to your heart. Like many, I have a heightened awareness of things that remind me of her since she’s often on my mind, especially around the holidays and special occasions.
Each holiday season, I’m always looking for ways to include my grandmother in our Christmas experience and honor her memory. One chilly December afternoon, I was out doing a little holiday shopping, and I came across an artificial pink tree. Recalling the story of the flocked tree my mother had shared with me, I HAD to purchase it (and I’m sure much to our neighbor’s chagrin) display it proudly on our front porch.
Pictured above: My son helping to trim the tree(s) and picking out his next ornament to strategically place on his tree.
The next year, I decided to add a 2nd and 3rd tree to the grouping, and bring the mix inside, in lieu of the traditional and REAL evergreen we would usually display. I’m sure it doesn’t suit everyone’s taste, but these silly trees make me smile, and the pink one, of course, has special meaning to me. Not to mention, when we have guests over, our trees always spark up an interesting conversation. Bonus: It’s also fun for our kiddo, since he gets his own tree to decorate with his favorite ornaments, and the treasured ornaments he has made. Another fun holiday tradition in our house is that we collect an ornament from every vacation. Each year, as we sip on eggnog and decorate our tree, we recall fond memories of family vacations, favorite places and good times.
Ok, so now that I’ve shown you mine, YOU show me yours! Go to our Facebook Page, upload a photo of your tree or other holiday decor, then encourage your friends to vote by liking your photo. (Would be cool if they like our page, too, but that’s totally optional, and we only want peeps who truly like us to like us. Not fake likes. We gotta keep it real. Ya know what I mean? I mean, we gotta keep the “likes” real — the trees…well, not necessarily.)
Our trees lit up at night, and in our new home at "Cosmic Acres" nestled in the Texas Hill Country
By the way, I’m entering the contest too. My charity of choice this holiday season, as with the last… Austin Pets Alive, in honor of my Grandmother, who loved animals and her dear feline companion, “Willy”.
Peace, Love and Joy,
P.S. Seinfeld fans… I included the video below for your viewing pleasure. Remember, no made up charities!
Click here to see George's "Festivus" spirit in action.
