I started my angel tree after Christmas last year when I realized just how many angel ornaments I had. It will stay up again this year. I think I might add baby's breath or some neat gold spun glass I got this year to it to cover more of the greenery and give it a more etherial look. A picture of my white 4ft tree is in the Valentine thread - I will change it out to pastel eggs and flowers for Easter, red carnations, flags, ect for summer - not sure about fall

This is my angel tree (the nativity will come down)......

Lynne

I have a small angel tree, but it is only one of those bought with angels decor. I have added a few things to it, but it's purpose was to go with some of my mom's angel figurines. She had quite a collection. After we lost Mom, Dad asked to get rid of most of the floral and fro fro things that they had in their assisted living apartment so that it could be more masculine. However, he wanted to display her angels. We redecorated for him in a more manly motif except for the angels which adorned the build in shelves and across the window sills that flanked two sides of the living room area.

We lost my DS five years ago just shy of his 24th birthday. He went peacefully in his sleep in his own bed due to worsening lung problems and other issues from his chronic health problems. I have a wooden angel hanging on the door of his room with a nice poem painted on it. Three years later when my DM got to the point that we had to call in hospice, we brought her home from the hospital to be here in our home with the rest of the family surrounding her. She passed quietly with us by her side and holding her hand---in the same room where we lost Mick. When my DMIL fell at her assisted living and busted ribs and was hospitalized with pnemonia and complications from that that were made worse by her Alzheimer's we didn't hesitate to bring her home when the doctor said there was no more that could be done. She also passed in that same room. Several months later, my wonderful DDad was hospitalized once again with kidney problems right after Thanksgiving. He remained in the hospital through the first of the year, having to be finally put on dialysis. He suffered a couple of heart attacks and other problems during this time and never had a smooth time with the dialysis. When the assisted living told us that he could not come back due to his dietary needs, we discussed with him about coming to live with us as soon as his health got better. We moved his things in and set up a bedroom with all of his stuff surrounded by Mom's angels. He was only with us a short while before he worsened again and finally lost his fight. Although he was living in the back bedroom and not the one where we lost the others, the meaning of all Mom's angels and the one on Mick's door took on new meaning for me.

THe small tree this year was sort of a tribute to all of our loved ones. I placed it on a dresser surrounded by some of mom's angels. I have really thought about leaving it out year round and just may do it.

I am trying to decide how to have a year round tree in the informal dining area. Thanks for sharing your photos.

I checked & can't believe I still kept pics of my "fish" tree.

We used to have an indoor Koi Pond in our sunroom & I had this small tree decorated in "fishing" ornaments, that I kept up year round. The pictures aren't the greatest, but you get the idea.

Here's one more pic of the "fishing tree" I found. Better color.

Printer, you've had quite the journey on a long, rough road. I hope the angels helped, and think you should keep a tree up with them and your Mom's collection. If it gives you comfort, that is the important thing.

Yacht, your fish tree is pretty darn cute for your Koi pond.
My cats would love both. LOL.

I haven't broke it to my family yet, but I'm going to keep a tree up, if not two. Small ones, to decorate for different holidays.

hugs, Karen

Yachter, I love your fish tree! That is so darn cute and so perfect for your "northwoods" room.

Printer, I am so sorry you have had to face so many losses. By all means, keep out things that have special meaning and give you comfort.

I like the idea and look of ornaments on a bare branch for year round use. I've seen pics of small branches in vases with little ornaments hanging on them and others that are big tall branches decorated with twinkle lights. Wish I had saved pics to share here.

Luvs

In my home back up in Delaware I had a rather large Ficus tree and I kept white lights on it all the time - I also had a couple crystal ornaments on it year round - dove, humingbird, cardinal. I gave the tree to my neighbor when we moved cause I couldn't figure out how to move it .....

Lynne

This sounds like sooo much fun. I would have to figure out a place to put one..... So I will live vicariously through you all.

Printer, I feel so bad for you having to experience so many losses in your life. You have a wonderful attitude though and I think having a year round tree is a nice idea if it allows you to display the items that have a special significance to you.

Lynne and Yachter thanks for sharing your year-round trees, what great ideas.

Last year, I left my two 4' trees with white lights on at the front door all year. I put plastic Easter eggs on them at Easter and during the summer, I had my hostas up tight around them, in the fall, I put pumpkins and fall coloured 'mums around them and of course, at Christmas, I put those type of decor around them. It was fun to do. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures.

DD

The trees are all very neat.....I don't have room for a year round tree, but DH and DS's would love the fishing tree!
PrinterD, I can't even think of any words to say, but here are lots of Texas sized hugs! (((((((PD))))))))
When my Mom was sick and came to live with us, one of her favorite things in her room was a tiny angel windchime that I hung over her bed. At night I would hear her reach up and tinkle it...I think it gave her comfort. She is gone, but the angel still hangs in her special spot...I ripple the chimes each time I go into the room.

I love your angel tree.

I don't have an actual Christmas tree that I keep up all year, but I used to have a big tree branch that I decorated for seasons and holidays, but a few years ago, I found this little display tree in a souvenir store that was going out of business. We were on vacation in the mountains and DH wasn't thrilled when I told him, I wanted to drag it home.

It's worked out well though. It replaced the big one in the other one in the dining room, and I think it's nicer. I thought I would probably have a lot of pictures of it, decorated different ways, but I can only find this Valentine one.

After Christmas, I turn it into a winter tree with snow flakes and icicles. For Valentine's Day I just add a few hearts.

For Father's day, and our Anniversary, I hang pictures on it, for fall/Thanksgiving it get's fall leaves etc. - Gail

Thanks for all the pics. I love them. Ncnana, I love that tree!

Gail - I really like that tree. I have a curley willow that we cut down last year just laying in back side of the garage. I want to cut all the brances off and clump then together for some sort of arrangement. Your tree gives me an idea for a year round tree to decorate. My angel tree will always be just that and the white tree I mentioned earlier still looks like a Christmas tree but the branches would be neat looking - uuummmm something to think about .....

Lynne

I don't keep any fir tree up year round, but I do have this one I made several years ago that I decorate for Easter and sometimes Valentines Day, as well. For V's Day I use a different pot for it
Lynn
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I love the branch trees!!! They have alot of potential!! Gail I think I like the natural look the best.

Great idea for a centerpiece.
Lynn, I may steal your idea for my Valentine table.
Betty

I just showed these branch or twig trees to DH and asked if we had any branches that would work. He asked me if it was a twigmas tree! After getting "the look" he agreed to see about cutting one down for me. Men!

Too funny, PD, at least now we know your DH has a sense of humor and is a "brave" man! LOL

Gail, that little tree was a neat find, it works great.

Lynn, your's is the kind I've been thinking of. I'd like to have something like that--just have no idea where I'd store it between holidays!

Luvs

Thanks! I made this tree using pruned branches off my friend's tree. I wired two branches together in a three places along the trunk area to give me an all-around fullness, trimming here and there to get the best shape. I then set it in a container of Plaster of Paris until hard. The branches will absorb A LOT of paint, so it's best to first spray the entire tree with a white (or clear) primer coat. After that, I just used a non-matt white spray paint. The really important thing to keep in mind, for those of you who haven't made one before, is to choose a container (to set it in with the P of P) that's deep and wide enough to hold it upright and steady afterwards when it's decorated, but small enough to be able to fit inside a variety of different baskets or decorative containers. I used a big (2 lb?) margerine tub container for this one. I've been kicking around the idea of making another one, painted black, to use for Halloween next. When not in use, I cover mine (undecorated) with a plastic trash bag tied tightly around the stem/trunk to keep dust and critters out. I store it out in our garage on top of our fridge there. From experience (this is my 3rd tree), just make sure it's narrow enough to fit through your doors, before painting it ;^P
Lynn

Lynn,
Thanks for the details about your tree. Thats the kind of tree I was trying to make for my snowflake table - I had been saving a pruned branch for a while for this one but it looked pathetic when I stuck it in the vase. I will have to try your idea with multiple branches when I prune this spring!! Looks great!!

Mo