This year, there's an interesting little twist on the traditional Christmas Tree that's certainly not the norm, and it's catching on like wildfire... it's the Upside Down Christmas Tree!
Think I'm kidding?...
Listen to NPR audio about upside down Christmas trees
"Originally a retailer's trick to gain more floor space for products, upside-down Christmas trees are catching on for home use. Dan Loughman is vice president of product development for Roman Inc., an Illinois company that imports upside-down evergreens. He talks about the latest rage in holiday decorating." Source
Here's how (and why!) you might want to get your own Upside Down Christmas Tree...
It's actually not as crazy as you might think.
This is how it was originally done back in the day... Christmas trees were hung upside down from the ceiling as a sign of Christianity.
Today, more and more Americans are enjoying the novelty of it by introducing an Upside Down Christmas Tree into their homes during the holiday season. Some, as their primary Christmas tree; others, as a secondary tree -- just for the extra stares and attention.
Whatever your motivation, you can't deny that an Upside Down Christmas Tree is certainly a non-traditional way to celebrate Christmas.
...and as you know, we're all about being non-traditional at traditional times!
Looking at the sales of Upside Down Christmas Trees -- this year over last year -- this appears to be an increasingly popular way to decorate for Christmas... again!
Why An Upside Down Christmas Tree Is A Good Idea
Inverted evergreens make sense for a number of reasons. Some of them include:- It's a novelty item for the person who has to have every new gadget available.
- It's a great way to fit more presents under the tree!
- It's practical -- takes up little-to-no floor space, so its great for smaller apartments & tiny rooms, and can be positioned in tight corners and other places that do not accommodate a traditional Christmas tree.
- It's a safer way to decorate for Christmas -- keeping curious toddlers (and pets!) away from the delicate ornaments and lights.
- It's that one new "thing" that the person who gets WAY too into holiday decorating can add to their collection.
- It's easier to see the ornaments and decorations on an upside down Christmas tree because they hang away from the branches and do not get lost in all the foliage.
- It's a great way to get attention -- you'll likely be the first on the block to have an upside down Christmas tree!
- It's a conversation starter... you'll have plenty to talk about when your holiday guests begin arriving!
Listen to Bud Light's "Mr. Artificial Tree Maker": [Thanks, Christian!]
How Stable Is It?
The biggest question I had about the Upside Down Christmas Tree was its stability:A) How do you secure it into place?
B) How do you prevent it from tipping over?
Turns out, the weighted base provides extra stability to prevent tipping and leaning -- whether you choose to rest it firmly on the floor, or secure it to the ceiling.
If you decide to attach your Upside Down Christmas Tree to the ceiling, you may need to be creative with that spot AFTER the holidays... Either you'll want to hang something else in the same place, or find another creative use for the tree's base/bracket if you choose to leave it secured to the ceiling.
Where To Buy Upside Down Christmas Trees
Upside Down Christmas Trees are available "pre-lit" (eliminating the need to string lights yourself) or "bare" (allowing you to decorate with lights as you see fit).While they're still somewhat difficult to find, it appears that Hammacher-Schlemmer's pre-lit model is a best-seller this year. They sold out of their first batch for the season, but more are just around the corner (Nov. 15 next available ship date).
Other places you can buy Upside Down Christmas Trees:
- A Christmas Tree For Me - 5 to 7.5 feet tall ($280-$500)
- eBay - 7 to 9 foot tall trees ($250-$500)
- Hammacher-Schlemmer
- 7 foot tall pre-lit upside down Christmas tree ($599 with lifetime guarantee)
Photos Of Christmas Trees Hanging From The Ceiling
Fun Stuff About Upside Down Christmas Trees
How Kids Can Make Edible Christmas Trees:
Take a waffle cone and turn it upside down. Let children "paint" their cones with green icing. Then, let the kids decorate their green Christmas trees with "ornaments" (candies like mini M&M's). The end result: A kids-size Christmas tree decorated to taste!
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I think the upsid down christmas trees shouldn't have been made becuse I don't think much people would buy them I don't like them at all they are just not me these are a list that I don't like abut them
1 I don't like the way they have got to be decerated
2 I don'tlike the style
3I
We have two upside down trees. One is in the front window and people actually stop on the highway to take pictures. Although some of our friends consider it vulgar and "unChristian", it is actually a 12th century Europeon tradition that represents the trinity.
My son feel in love with the upside down tree when we saw it in the store, (as we were going inside to pay for our Norfolk to be flocked and delivered the next day)....we left and returned about 15 minutes later and asked to trade in our purchase for the upside down tree. We all love it and have had a blast decorating it in a Seussical style...don't knock it..till you try it....you might really like it..Merry Christmas
I got an upside down Christmas tree last year at a clearance sale. I put it up for the first time tonight. It is beautiful, but mine is flocked and it is extremely messy when fluffing out the branches. The flocking falls into your eyes and it stings. My living room was vacuumed several times this evening and it still has some flocking on the floor. I think if I were to do this all over again I would get an unflocked upside down Chrismas tree. Happy Holidays and good luck.
I think its very sad that it has gotten bad enough that our Christmas trees have to be hung upside down. It kind of goes along with them even being called Holiday Trees. Anything to get christ out of Christmas, when he's the true meaning of christmas.
I like the idea of an upside down tree for practicality and display of ornaments and garland.