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Family Tradition Photos | U-Cut Tree Farm

This post has been sponsored by At Home, but the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Since I was a young child, I have memories of heading to the Tree Farm every December and cutting down our Christmas Tree. Now, with my own kids, it is an event that we look forward to each year. We always take family photos when we go to the Tree Farm, and last year we expanded it by taking our Radio Flyer wagon and breaking out the tripod. For 2016, thanks to At Home, we’ve made it a special family photo shoot.

Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

At Home asked 9 bloggers to share a favorite holiday tradition. Well, choosing the tradition of cutting our tree was a simple decision. It’s one of my favorite annual activities, and one of my favorite events to photograph. It’s always easier to get great shots of the kids when they are having fun, and this activity encourages play.

[Tweet “Tree Farm Photos : It’s always easier to get great photos of the kids when they are having fun.”]

So how did we create a memorable experience and memorable photos? Let’s get started.

U-Cut Tree Farm Photos

#1 Find the perfect tree

Well, it won’t be perfect, of course — and that’s actually one of the beautiful things about a live tree! However, there are certain qualities we look for in a Christmas tree:

  • a fairly straight trunk
  • a nice shape to the overall tree and branches
  • enough open space between the branches to hang ornaments {aka. not overly full}
  • no large bare or dead spots
  • a top that will work well with a tree topper

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD

#2 Decorate the tree

Wait. What? Aren’t I getting ahead of myself? Nope. Before heading to the Tree Farm, we stopped by At Home for some simple tree-trimming supplies. I chose decorations that would pop in photos, while also working in our Christmas Home {see our Christmas Home Tour}:

Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

We have a gigantic Magnolia Tree in our backyard, so the Faux Magnolia Blooms are a nod to that part of our home. I’ve grown to love the huge, white blooms and thought they would compliment a Christmas Tree. Plus, magnolia blooms are an iconic Southern floral, which seemed fitting for our Kentucky home.

[Tweet “Magnolia blooms are an iconic Southern floral, perfect for a Southern Christmas Tree.”]

As I mentioned, we’ve used the Radio Flyer for several years {a Christmas gift from the Grandparents}, so I chose red ornaments, a ribbon, and blankets to echo the color of the wagon. Each of our outfits had pops of red, to keep everything cohesive.

Finally, several pillows were essential for providing comfortable spots to sit during the photos. I wanted it to feel homey and cozy, like Christmas. The linen-weave and knitted pillows add texture to the photo, but the neutral colors keep them from becoming a focal point.

Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

#3 Let the kids play for candid photos

We gave the kids each a few of the large ornaments as props. Props in photos aren’t just for looks, they can actually make the photo shoot simpler. Not that this will surprise anyone, but kids don’t like to sit still. A few interesting props can make all the difference. While they are playing, take photos from a variety of angles.

Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

[Tweet “Props in photos aren’t just for looks, they make the photo shoot simpler by entertaining the kids.”]

#4 Take group photos, even if there’s no photographer

Best case… you’ve got a photographer to tag along with you. However, in most instances, that’s not how it works. So how do we get family photos when it’s just the four of us? I set my camera to “timer” and place it on a tripod. The camera timer is plenty long enough for me to set up the photo and still be in the picture. We generally do 5-10 group photos, hoping to get at least one good picture.

Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

Christmas Tree Decorating Tips & Tricks

This tree may be my favorite, ever. It’s a Norway Spruce, with a solid, straight trunk that fit well in the tree stand. The branches have ample room for hanging ornaments and aren’t too thick, leaving access to the trunk. I ran a strand of large, clear bulbs up the tree trunk which brightens the entire tree. It’s bright enough to see heavy ornaments that must be hung closer to the trunk.

The outer branches are wrapped in several strands of small colored lights and beaded garlands. I stuck the magnolia floral stems into the branches and hung the large, red ornaments, before filling in the rest of the tree with small ornaments.

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD

Our tree doesn’t have a theme or color palette, but I do try to repeat some elements in order to create cohesiveness. There is a general vintage farmhouse look that is evident in:

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD

Magnolia Blooms in a Christmas Tree, Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD
Even the cozy pillows ended up near the tree, warming up our couch and chair for winter. This was my first time to check out At Home’s pillow collection before, and I was very impressed! I’m pretty picky about throw pillows — I’ll only buy them if they have a removable cover and include a high-quality filling {filling that will “chop” and is soft and cushy, not stiff and puffy}, no matter how pretty. At Home’s pillows meet those requirements, the selection is huge, and the prices are affordable.

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour, Rustic, Cottage by @CraftivityD

[Tweet “9 Bloggers share favorite Christmas Traditions with @AtHomeStores #myreason”]


Do you cut your own Christmas Tree? What tradition is your family’s favorite?

Visit 8 more blogs {links below the photo} to see how they celebrate Christmas with a special tradition. Here’s a glimpse:

9 Bloggers Share their Favorite Christmas Traditions, Family Tradition Photos, Family Christmas Photos, U-Cut Tree Farm Photos by @CraftivityD

At Home with Zan | Sunshine and Munchkins | My Life from Home | An Alli Event | Restyle it Wright
Craftivity Designs | Blue i Style | Loveland Lodge | Making Joy and Pretty Things

Plus, enter the giveaway below, for your chance at $100 to At Home and celebrate tradition in style.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rosalyn O.

Monday 19th of December 2016

These are some beautiful photos! Just yesterday we took some family photos, that I like how they came out! Thanks for sharing this :))

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Monday 19th of December 2016

Thanks, Rosalyn!

Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Growing up, we always had a real Christmas tree. I'm sad to say that I haven't had one in a long time, but hopefully we'll grab one in the next couple of years. The smell is heavenly and it brings a bit of outside, inside. I love that you totally just let your kids have fun and be themselves in these pictures.

Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms

Friday 16th of December 2016

What an adorable idea! These turned out great!

Jehava

Friday 16th of December 2016

Your decor is so beautiful! Love it!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Sunday 18th of December 2016

Thanks! :)

Rochelle

Friday 16th of December 2016

Love tree farm pictures. You have a lovely tree!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Sunday 18th of December 2016

Thanks, Rochelle!