How to Decorate an Upside Down Christmas Tree
If you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic holiday tradition this year, why not take a cue from European homes over centuries past and decorate an upside-down Christmas tree?
Today I’m sharing all the tips and tricks you need to know for creating the perfect upside-down Christmas tree – hang tight!
I took a family poll.
What is your favorite Christmas decor tradition?
Hands down…the Christmas tree won!
Oh, how we love a Christmas tree!
Today, I am so happy to be part of a Christmas tree blog hop! Thank you to Wendy at WM Design House for getting us all together!
If you have arrived here from At Home with Kristy, welcome to Sonata Home Design! Thank you, Kristy, for a gorgeous French country Christmas tree!
For my part, I am sharing our family’s upside-down Christmas tree.
This tree is my personal Christmas guilty pleasure.
It is the tree that gets filled with all the colorful glitz, sparkle, shimmer, and jingle-jangle that I can load onto it.
The color scheme? EVERY color!
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What is the Meaning of an Upside Down Tree?
Ornamental innovation is alive and well this holiday season!
Drawing inspiration from the 15th century, Saint Boniface revolutionized home decor with an unexpected twist. Hanging fir trees upside-down in households was seen as a representation of the Holy Trinity and soon became popular all across Europe – especially among working and lower-class citizens who didn’t have much room to spare.
This concept has now extended beyond Europe and grown in popularity worldwide for those looking for something unique but still festive.
Today this unique style has made its way into our homes for a truly eye-catching design statement!
The Benefits of an Upside-Down Christmas Tree
This type of tree is the ultimate safety measure for little ones and pets alike!
Decorations peek down from above instead of hovering around below, keeping all those fancy trinkets off wobbly toddler hands and away from curious paws.
Owners of smaller homes and those who rent know the benefit of this tree’s small footprint. It hardly takes any floor space at all!
Plus, it adds a stunning visual to any holiday gathering!
Decorating Tips for an Upside-Down Christmas Tree
The Tree Itself
Our upside-down tree is engineered as just that…an upside-down tree.
Complete with a stand, collapsible branches, and strings of lights, it sets up just like a regular tree.
Except it is upside down!
Here is the most important tip…
Set the tree on a solid table whose height elevates the tree to the ceiling.
Our tree sits on an old end table that was, at one time, in our donation pile. Turns out it is the perfect height for the inverted tree!
Since the focus is on the tree, I keep the base very simple by just draping the base with some red fabric. Some adhesive strips added to the top of the table keep the tree stand from slipping and are hidden from view by the fabric.
Ideally, there should be a couple of inches between the tree and the ceiling to allow for additional Christmas decorations.
I also like to display this tree in the corner of the room so it is not exposed to heavy traffic. Safety first!
I’ll be honest. It takes both my husband and me to lift and set the tree on the designated table.
But with a loud “1,2,3” count-off and a big lift…it is a quick set-up!
***If you are wanting to turn a regular tree into an upside-down tree, you will need to drill through the base of the trunk and thread heavy-duty wire, rope, or chain that will support the weight of the tree. After securely screwing a strong hook into the ceiling, hang the tree tip down from the ceiling. Know your home and know your ceilings to make sure the weight can be supported.
Tree Decorations
Twinkle your way to festive perfection by wrapping your tree in sparkling lights and adding ornaments that range from traditional red and green to classic golds and whites to any bold hues of color.
An inverted tree is an unusual shape so this is the perfect time to decorate using a unique or quirky theme or color combination!
- Use a solid ladder so you can easily reach higher branches.
- If the tree is not pre-lit, use LED lights for the tree to avoid hot lights that could be a fire hazard.
- Shatterproof ornaments are probably best if you are nervous about breakage. In all honesty, I use a lot of glass ornaments on our tree and just make sure they are attached very securely.
- Start to decorate with your larger ornaments. Tuck them between branches and secure them tightly with hooks or wire.
- As you add medium or small size ornaments, step back periodically to ensure that all your decorations are evenly distributed.
- Longer ornaments that dangle will look especially lovely hanging from the upper branches of the tree.
- Lightweight additions such as tinsel and floral picks will give the tree added dimension and sparkle.
The Top of the Bottom
Even though the tree is elevated to the ceiling, it is a good idea to add a different element to fill in the space gap.
Whatever you add, it is a good idea to keep it on the light side as heavy items can weigh down the top branches.
Picks are great for this area!
I used a combination of shiny red metallic picks and whimsical red and white striped “twisty picks.”
Now the tree looks like it is magically suspended from the ceiling!
Other ideas you might try for the “Top of the Bottom”:
- Gift packages (the light, faux, empty kind)
- Tinsel Garland
- White faux snow blanket
- Patterned fabric
- Large, loopy bows
Now, stand back and admire your handiwork!
You now have a unique and festive upside-down Christmas tree that is sure to impress your friends and family!
If you’re looking for a new way to spruce up your holiday decor, why not give this unique tradition a try?
With all the benefits it offers, there’s no downside to giving an upside-down tree a shot.
There are more beautiful Christmas trees to see! Hop on over to see Kim’s fantastic post on How to Decorate a Traditional Christmas Tree over at Cottage in the Mitten. Kim always has such inspiring ideas!
Now go out there and have yourself a merry little Christmas!
Cheers!
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
Follow All The Bloggers on This Christmas Tree Tour!
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Missy, I love the unique look of hanging it upside down. It’s perfect in the corner or when space is an issue. How fun! We are having problems with the puppy pulling the ribbon off the tree. Your tree is very beautiful!
Hi Tammy! Yes, this tree is one that our big dog can’t get to, thank goodness! I’m so glad we got a chance to work together on this blog hop! Merry Christmas!
Oh, Missy!! Your upside down Christmas tree is spectacular!! It’s the perfect addition to your dining room with those gorgeous papered walls!! Thank you for sharing the history of the upside down tree! The colors are gorgeous!! You’re so created and talented, my friend!
Hi Kim! Thank you so much! I find that this room gets used a whole lot more when there is a funky tree in the corner! Merry Christmas, my friend!
I absolutely love and adore your beautiful upside down Christmas tree, Missy! It’s so fun and colorful and perfect for the corner! And thanks so much for sharing the history of the upside down Christmas tree!
Hi Kristy! Thank you so much! It is a fun tree and I had fun sharing it. Thanks for hopping with me today!
Ok…I am LOVING this tree! It’s beautiful, fun and full of whimsy! The wallpaper in your room is stunning, too. Love your blog, Missy! So nice hopping with you today. Merry Christmas, friend!🎄❤️
Thank you so much, Kim! I loved hopping with you and always love getting to know you better!
Missy your tree is amazing. I have to be perfectly honest, I have never been a fan of upside down trees until I saw yours. I love how the top near the ceiling is finished. I am definitely going to be looking for one next year. I also love how colorful it is. I really think you are changing me in a lot of ways. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Crystal, you leave the best comments! I’m so glad you liked the tree! You have such a wonderful collection of beautiful trees, it would be fun to see an upside down tree in your house!
I love this whimsical tree so much, Missy! There are so many pluses to having an upside-down tree that I never thought about. And I love how the ornaments hang on the branches. So, so pretty!
Thank you, Wendy! It does save floor space and Bentley can’t get to the ornaments! LOL. Thanks for organizing this hop!
This is simply amazing. It looks like it’s floating. Well done! Merry Christmas!
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
Missy, you’ve outdone yourself. The tree, the dining room and that chandelier, all are gorgeous! I love that you shared the history and have me considering this unique idea possibly in the future! love it! Susan
Thanks, Susan! I thought the history was fascinating too!
This tree sings “Missy, Missy, I belong to Missy”. No boring tree for you and especially inyour gorgeous dining room! So many advantages to a tree like this. and the history is fascinating!!! Such fun to hoo with youo today!
Thank you, Diane! I really appreciate your kind words! Such a fun blog hop!