Wait, Are Ugly Christmas Trees the New Ugly Christmas Sweaters?
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Ugly Christmas sweaters have become such a fad in recent years that similarly unsightly trees are now the new holiday trend. Like the tops that came before them, ugly Christmas trees aren’t necessarily hideously unattractive; they are just quirky. You see: They’re in on the joke because they’re intentionally off-putting yet still charming. So, when you peruse our list of ugly Christmas trees, you won’t need to shield your eyes from the "heinous" aesthetics. Instead, you may even be inspired to break with tradition of having a perfectly manicured tree in favor of one that's more unusual.
From a tree that’s so covered in decorations that you can’t even see the branches to an exact replica of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree (complete with Linus’ blue blanket), there are a lot of good options on our list. Some, in fact, you can buy pre-made. Others, on the other hand, require more effort when it comes to the DIY decorations and creativity. Luckily, we included 13 options below to help guide your inspiration.
No matter which tree you go with, you’re bound to create a cheerful vibe—even if it’s not as classically Christmas as your normal decoration scheme may be. These options have as much style as they do spirit, so go ahead and deck your halls. Perhaps your new tree will inspire the rest of your holiday decorations, bringing plenty of eccentric feels to your space. Plus, if you’re hosting the holiday party this year, your whacky tree may even inspire some good conversation between new friends.
Look to Dr. Seuss
This may not be a literal interpretation of a Dr. Seuss tome, but there's definitely something Oh, the Places You'll Go about it. From the colorful decorations to the maximalist tone, it's whimsical in all the right ways. If this can't bring a smile to someone's face, we don't know what will.
Skip the Skirt
This may not be a classically ugly Christmas tree, but it certainly is unusual, which earns it a spot on our list. Aside from the bulbous shape and monochromatic ornaments, we're loving the choice of tree skirt, which, as far as we're concerned is fresh moss. How unique? If you're going to try this at home, we suggest using faux moss, which is easier to care for and won't attract any unwanted critters.
Artificial Christmas Cactus
Here's another Christmas "tree" that's not ugly per se, but it's lack of traditionalism makes it cool enough to appear on our list. This one mixes the best elements of a fir and a cactus: the texture of the former and the shape of the latter. The fact that it's decked out in baubles, lights, and a bow only helps its case.
Buy a White Tree
Don't just buy an artificial tree; buy an artificial tree that isn't pretending it's real, like a white one. The neutral hue acts as the perfect backdrop for displaying your more colorful ornaments and decorations.
Follow Tastemakers' Leads
The late Ann Getty was famous, among many good things, for her elaborate and extravagant holiday parties at her and her husband's iconic San Francisco home. The exclusive parties always involved a giant Christmas tree drenched in tinsel, lights, and baubles.
Decorated Feather Mini Christmas Tree
This tree is too cute, and we're not just saying that because it's five-and-a-half inches tall. It's modeled after the classic German feather trees, which are said to be the first artificial trees to have hit the market in the middle of the 19th century. As their name implies, they were made using feathers, which, from afar could look like pine needles. They're also famously sparse looking, which this tree got spot-on.
Embrace the Grinch
Here's another hint at a Dr. Seuss book—though this one is more literal because it is a reference to the author's 1957 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Notice how the tree itself is bent to look like Santa Clause's hat.
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
Another literary moment we're obsessed with? The iconic Charlie Brown Christmas tree, which features the lone red ornament, sparse branches, and even Linus' blue blanket. If you don't have lot of space to spare for Christmas decor, this is a good find.
Ask Barbie
This flocked tree is undeniably Barbie-inspired. From the specific shades of pink to the charming flocked branches, it screams Barbie in the best way.
Swiss Topiary Tree
This topiary may look a little domineering, with the bells and berries, but it's only two feet high. If you're celebrating in a small space and want to try something different, consider propping this up on an end table in your living room and letting it do all the talking.
Go Big
Another famous Christmas tree that is decked out to say the least is that of Nancy and former president Ronald Reagan, which the political power players unveiled in the winter of 1987. The fir they chose was a whopping 18 feet tall, which may be a little too big for the standard living room, but if you have a space with high ceilings, feel free to copy the Reagans.
Use What You Already Have
If your home is complete with a garden, use the flowers to decorate your tree. This tree definitely doesn't skew ugly, but it's different so we're into it. For any blank space that the flowers don't fill, opt for garlands.
Upside Down Christmas Tree
Our last tree is more weird than ugly. We're not going to question the physics of how this seven-and-a-half foot tree stays upright, but we have a feeling the included stand helps.
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