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There is a “new” upside down way to show off your Christmas tree which really isn’t new at all. Here is some of the history on the inverted tree:
“In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God’s Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.” source
Symbolism aside, Christmas decorating typically comes down to aesthetics for us decor addicts. So, what do you think of this trend? Hmmm. Perhaps you need a few more pics to fully visualize and make an informed decision. Below are the best representations of the inverted tree that I could find. Many of the images are from Europe. Perhaps we Americans are behind on this trend?
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I think it needs to be hanging from the ceiling. It really highlights the ornaments . I have seen it done where ornaments were suspended in a tree shape from the bottom (top) of the tree. It was beautiful and so cool.
Love this! Would love to do it myself but can’t figure out how to hang it so that it won’t pull down the ceiling as it can get quite heavy. How did you do it? Any tips would be most appreciated!
the trend actually started when i was about 4 years old i was born in germany and we had expensive christmas balls from there my parents were in the military we moved back to the u.s im now 26 the tradition actually started because as a kid between me and the dogs we use to break the christmas balls so my parents came up with the idea of taking a white artificial christmas tree and redrilling the holes to make it upside down we used a chain and a hook and hung it from the ceiling as time went by we bought a motor that would spin slowly and had a hook for the tree to hang from so that is the real story behind the christmas tree not the monks just saying
sincerely,
Richard Sochia
any question feel free to contact me at summersdaddy87@aol.com
I have been wanting to so something different….I even like the idea of half trees that you can hang on the wall.
With several cats….I try to do something that keeps the ornaments safe from little paws. But will have to buy an artifical tree….I usually use live ones cause the cats don’t like the pine needles….
we have done this for many years in the basement den, We made it with a “grench stole christmas” theme. We didn’t buy one- we took an old tree and rigged it. We love our tree. I have pics if you would like them.
I think they look so odd! Almost like a practical joke. I can't see myself ever doing that.
http://johnhoodfamily.blogspot.com/2010/11/some-favorites-of-mine-this-week.html
Left you a shout out!! Happy Holidays, Beth!
I love this idea…i did it with a small tabletop tree. Ive been dying to try it with a decent size tree. This year we are doing 2 trees so maybe I'll do the inverted one in our football room . I havent figured out how the larger ones stay tho..if you have any suggestions let me know. I say def ho, ho , ho…gotta be fun with decorations.
I think it's kinda cool. I have a really artistic friends who has a penchant for the quirky and I can totally see this in her home. If quirky and turned-on-its-ear is your kinda thang, I think it's awesome! It would be quite a conversation piece at parties.
Weird, if you ask me. I have never even see this. Never.
I think they are great but look better when they go to the ceiling. Meaning it looks like you are under the tree so to speak. My Mom has had one in her kitchen for YEARS!
last year i thought i liked this look. this year i think its a little to dr seuss for me.
I'm going to have to give this one a big "NO". Definately not something that I would do in my house. Although, I can see the benefit if you were in a very tight space. I think my friends and family would that that I had finally 'lost it'.
nope, upside down trees are not for me!
oh no no no that is too weird, so against all tradition it almost looks evil! okay, almost. but still let's stick with the tree the way nature intended it to grow and the way christmas memories have been etched in my heart since i was a little girl…
It totally freaks me out for some reason 🙂 Reminds me of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Even when you put ornaments on it, the ornaments even look upside-down to me. I prefer the old-fashioned way.
Hmmmm Not for me. I like my tree pointing toward Heaven. 😉
Space saving, but just wrong, and a little tipsy-probably.
I actually kind of like it. I find it visually appealing. If I had multiple trees I might give it a try.
I have seen these around a bit. No, no, no for me. 🙂
I'd rather see a Charlie Brown twig tree or a glammed up cactus. Though I just burst out laughing, envisioning putting mom's ginormous tree up next week for her (UPSIDEDOWN). Ohhhh, to see her face! lol!
No, no, no!
Jeanine
They have actually been out for a number of years now but I do not think they have taken off for anybody but designers who want to be differ. I am thinking great for The Grinch but not a big fan myself.
Hmmm…I can't decide. I literally said "Ew, NO", "Well that ones not bad.", "Don't like that one." "Oh, huh, kinda cute." In that order!
And, like many others, I'm wondering how the heck it stays that way.
I felt like a huge risk taker when I put up a white tree last year. The family's opinion is still out on the white. I like the way the upside down ones look in stores, but we have a new kitten – this upside down tree would be too much for him to resist. I have visions of him swinging from the tree until the entire thing falls down on top of him. Makes me laugh to think of his reaction, but I imagine my reaction wouldn't be quite as amusing. We'll stick with bottoms down this year.
Sorry…I gotta give this one a "no". Its just not my thing.
~mary~
that's just wrong:)
it seems that the real trees would drop needles like crazy! you won't find that at my house~ ever!
I've done a small upside tree in 96 or 97. When I see pics of it I almost gag! I was so into victorain back then and the color peach…lol.
Posted some links on twitter to my tree and more upside down trees.
I saw a few trees like that during the '89 to '92 years but then I stopped drinking:)
I just can't seem to wrap my head around this idea. Actually, when I look at them I feel a little off kilter, lol.
I agree with some of the other comments that it might be catchy in a store, or space saving. Not something I would embrace. I like my trees, faux or real, to look like they do in nature.
To me this is a no, no, NO!
not for me. but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blue white & red color story in that one picture from happy loves rosie.
beautiful.
That is very, very weird and I was also thinking Dr. Seuss like a few others mentioned. Although, the one above the fireplace in the room with red wallpaper is kind of pretty.
NO,NO,NO FOR SURE!!!!!!! Nothing about it appeals to me at all. Jackie
HA!! The second example is actually quite gorgeous, but overall…what a wacky idea, I'm thinking! Janell
No No No!! Yuck!
No offense to anybody who loves this but I think it's just weird.
I'm hemming and hawing about putting one in my shop this season. I think it makes for a great conversation piece for sure, and it seems to me that the ornaments stand out more, which might be why retailers like them. I'm a traditional girl at heart though, so I don't think I'd have one in my home unless it was in addition to a traditional tree. It would be fun to add one as a second tree and change the theme each year!
My childhood best friend's family always had the craziest Christmas trees that they'd change every year. They had the upside down tree, an invisible tree fashioned out of fishing line to which they'd hang the ornaments from, a carboard tree and a sheet metal tree!! One of my favorites was they bought a super tall tree and displayed it downstairs. Where they cut it off at the top in order for it to fit, they displays that teeny tiny tree upstairs directly over the downstairs tree so it looked like it grew through the floor/ceiling. I loved it!! And their trees always drew a drive by crowd. Whatever you choose becomes your tradition. Sorry for the epistle, Beth. But I thought you'd find this interesting!
My office roommate and I were just talking about this last week! I think it's bizarre, but I guess I'm just a Christmas tree purist!
i think they just look silly!
It would definitely make it easier to put present underneath the tree. Still, I'm pretty fond of the traditional way of doing things.
no way!
I don't get it – I like a tree that looks like a tree!
Not at our house. Those crazy Europeans! {By the way I was born in England so this is totally a joke — no one take offense!} 🙂
I like the idea! We have a smaller living room but with huge vaulted ceilings, and having the bulk of the tree in the air would be a great space saver!! 🙂
Plus, I love the trees on the chandeliers!! 🙂
THE OPINION OF REBEKAH: the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Trees don't grow upside down. It looks ridiculous. I might as well turn my dresser and kitchen table upside down too. I first saw one in Home Depot and thought it was a joke. :o)
Oh my word! I can't believe no one likes this! I have had an upside down Christmas tree for at least 6 or 7 years! I ADORE it! It is one of my favorite trees that I decorate. I do have the traditional tree, too! It's the casual tree in my keeping room. It doesn't take up all the floor room and I looks fabulous….if I do say so myself!! Check it out here http://lucysinspired.blogspot.com/2009/12/getting-in-spirit.html
To each his own, but they're totally not for me.
Funny how the red, baby blue and white tree has Christmas pillows with trees right side up. I guess to each their own. I like them normal side up. But, these pictures are beautiful, and the trees fit the rooms. At first glance they look odd, but they "go" with the rooms. I don't think I want to try it though.
Nope, not me.
Well, I like that it would clear up some floor space, but that's about it. I like the symbolism of the tree pointing to God…and hanging it would be a nightmare and I'd worry about it falling on a kiddo.
I'm far too traditional to get into this one. I like a tree the way it grows.
I have a girlfriend who does it every year.It's always a conversation piece at her Christmas parties. I can just imagine my 6 year old trying to swing on it. Shudder.
Ya know, while these are creative, interesting, well-thought out and impressively constructed trees, they're just NOT my thing. I'm all for tongue-in-cheek, whimsical interpretations of traditional elements… but PLEASE don't mess with my Christmas tree. Some things are what they are… thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!
I always thought I would like an upside down Christmas tree but after seeing these pictures ~ not so much…..
I think a small one hung from the ceiling like a chandelier would be great! (like in your third picture) The big touching-the-floor ones just mostly look odd. Some are odd in a good way, and others are tacky-odd 😉
My friend has done this with their Christmas tree for years! It started as a joke because the kids would grab the balls and break them so they tied the tree to the ceiling upside down. Yes…strange…but it sort of grows on you and when you see it in person, it looks fine.
I'm not a big fan…When I was in high school I worked form Thanksgiving to Christmas at a tree farm. The owners wife had a tree in every room. One of them was an upside down tree and it was hung from the ceiling and whatever it attatched to the ceiling with actually spung, very slowly. The house was amazing with all the trees and no 2 were alike. Looking back I realize even back then I had a decor "addiction" lol! If you are ever in Chester County, PA visit Westlake Tree Farms!!
I have to say that I am a no go on this one. I just think it looks odd. Especially the ones that are on the floor! I lived in Germany for 2 1/2 years and never once saw an upside down tree! Their trees though are very sparse with lots of space between the branches. Our last Christmas there we actually had real candles on the tree! Ahhhh, I love Christmas!
Definitely not what Mother Nature had in mind!
Definitely not what Mother Nature had in mind!
I think it is kind of weird-ola! To each his own though. I think I just love a good ol' right side up tree.
Fun post!
Blessings,
Holly
http://hallelujahsbyholly.blogspot.com
I'm all for being different, but this time I just don't get it and visually, I don't find it appealing.
Okay, I actually LOVE this! It's so different… my husband would have a fit if I put one in the house, but I really do like it.
Not really a fan of this myself…but then I tend to be more traditional.
Love the story and symbolism, and I'd never heard of this before… but… it looks strange. I couldn't do it, myself. LOL
I like my tree to look like a tree–you know, the kind that grows in the ground, with roots and all–so this just looks upside-down to me. Not eye-catching, not avant-garde, just upside-down.
And, oh my goodness. . . I can just imagine how precariously this thing would be perched (or hanging). . . one bout of curiosity from my doggies and it'd be history. Nope, not for me.
Does Anyone else think "DR. SUESS" here? Interesting….but not in my home! Just not feeling it.
Um….. no.
For some reason it reminds me of something you might see in a Dr Seuss book! It might be cute in a miniature version in a kids room, but not in my living room!
I like Megan's idea of a Santa trap! 🙂
they look goofy to me–trees already have a beautiful, natural shape, why mess with them?
I think it looks funny. all of the pictures are pretty but the trees are silly looking LOL!
funny. they look like they could just tumble over on top of everyone! You might wake up Christmas morning to find Santa stuck under your tree that fell on top of him!
Wow! This is 100% new to me. Interesting though! It looks like a disaster about to happen if it fell…
I've seen this done as a decor piece, but never with gifts below it. Lose the gifts and put it in an appropriate place and I'm for it.
Not for me either. Just looks goofy and I have to have a real one. 🙂
Nope, don't like them at all. I think they look silly. But to each her/his own.
They would save space in a tight room, but I don't care for the look.
I like it for "quirky" rooms… like a child's room or even in a retail shop… other than that, I am a traditional gal!
Lindsay@ A Design Story
I find these so funny. I saw them last year. I don't care for it, but I do think it makes more sense space-wise!
How do they even stand up? I guess it makes it a lot easier to get to the gifts though. Hmmm interesting thought. Very cool.