Little factoid: I haven’t bought a Christmas tree since December 2008 when my last roommate and I negotiated on a “damaged model” from the Boy Scouts. Shameful. Living alone in the house, working and commuting 50+ hours a week, and then celebrating holidays out of town, a pricy tree never felt like it was worth the investment. (That’s why I always decorated my house plants.)

This year’s different. Both both Pete and I are working at home, and that makes it feel worthwhile to put a little effort into decorating (early in the season too, so we can enjoy the sweet smell of pine to the max). At heart, I’m actually an “I-want-a-15-foot-tree” kind of girl, which is why this year’s purchase, a 4-ft blue spruce, seems rather rogue:

I sought this specific mini-tree out for three reasons:

1. It’s rooted, and yes, I’m pretty sure it’ll find its way directly into my garden in the springtime.
2. It was $25, which for a perma-tree, felt like a worthy investment (hell, the Boy Scouts wanted $60 for their damaged model).
3. I don’t have a bazillion ornaments, and this would be just large enough to hold what we wanted to display without looking barren (I like the overloaded look).

Unsuccessful at finding an inexpensive farm-esque bushel basket, I brought home the barrel you’re seeing from Lowe’s to help disguise the 5-gallon black plastic container that the roots are housed in. I lined the barrel with a plastic tray that I’ve been using to protect my hardwood floors, and wrapped a piece of brown plush yardage from JoAnn’s under the base (sale priced at $8/yard + an extra 25% off, thank you Thanksgiving Weekend). I almost opted for white fur, thinking of that traditional snowy base that’s so seasonally appropriate, but you remember that I also have a big furry dog, right?

When in doubt, buy everything in dark brown.

So rustic, so cute. Gosh, I love that tree.

We’re including a bunch of new ornaments in this year’s tree too. Check back to see which new ones are hung with joy.

Welcome to the holidays. Who else has hauled their tree home? Anyone else opting for a potted variety?