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You are here: Home / Party & Holiday / Holiday Decor & Crafts / Christmas / Family Tradition Photos | U-Cut Tree Farm

December 9, 2016 · 20 Comments

Family Tradition Photos | U-Cut Tree Farm

Christmas

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}:

  • Large, Shatter-Proof, Christmas Ornaments {Red single, set of 3, set of 6}
  • Large Ribbon and Bow, Tree-Topper {Red Plaid and Burlap}
  • Faux Floral Stems {Magnolia}
  • Neutral, Textured, Pillows {Grey Whipstitch, Cream Knitted with Fringe}
  • Colorful Blankets {Red Fleece Throw}

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:

  • Plaid & Quilted Tree Skirt
  • Red Wooden Beads
  • Handmade Ornaments
  • Burlap & Plaid Bow Tree-Topper
  • Magnolia Floral Stems

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

About Lora Green

Lora is the Owner and Creative Director of Craftivity Designs, where she seeks to Create a Home that is simple, functional, and beautiful. With an eye for practical solutions, she designs multi-purpose rooms which pack a storage punch. As a busy mom of 2, she shares crafts that are quick and easy, without sacrificing style. For fun, she loves to go on a homemade scavenger hunt and plan trips to Disney.

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Comments

  1. Amy @ My life From home says

    December 9, 2016 at 9:50 am

    That’s a fun outing and makes a beautiful Christmas card! Enjoy our holidays!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 12, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      Yep, made the Christmas cards this weekend 🙂 Woohoo!

      Reply
  2. Alli says

    December 9, 2016 at 9:57 am

    What great tips for getting beautiful holiday photos! Your children are adorable – so cute! I just love your tree. When our kids were growing up, we always had freshly-cut trees. Now that they are grown, I have artificial trees. I miss the smell and the look of a fresh tree. Thanks for sharing yours with us. What great family traditions and memories that will last a lifetime!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 12, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      The smell is incredible, I love walking into the room with our tree 🙂

      Reply
  3. zan says

    December 9, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    I love this tradition! You gave some good tips on taking photos with kids – some I have used in the past. We’ve also done the timer on the camera too but that was back in the day and we set it high on top of an object (makeshift tripod). Your kids are too cute and the group photo looks like some else took the photo. I love At Homes pillow selection and have also recently been more conscious of throw pillows. Speaking from experience when I bought new ones that lasted like a few weeks before becoming flat. Great post!! Love the magnolia flowers – looks fake.

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 12, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      We used to do the makeshift tripod, too. I took the real one last year and it was easier, even though we had to carry more.

      Reply
  4. Jenn @LovelandLodge says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    What a wonderful tradition! Your kiddos are adorable and look like they are having so much fun. Love the use of the wagon and all the fun accessories!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 12, 2016 at 1:26 pm

      Thanks, Jenn 🙂

      Reply
  5. Colette @ restyle it wright says

    December 12, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    so sweet lora! i love seeing your family pictures!! Your home always looks so cozy!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 13, 2016 at 10:23 pm

      Thanks, Colette!

      Reply
  6. Holly says

    December 16, 2016 at 9:21 am

    These photos are so cute! And that tree is gorgeous! xx

    http://theblondechiffon.com

    Reply
  7. Ashley | Spit Up and Sit Ups says

    December 16, 2016 at 10:17 am

    The photos turned out great! I love that you brought ornaments to the shoot!

    Reply
  8. Rochelle says

    December 16, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Love tree farm pictures. You have a lovely tree!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 18, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks, Rochelle!

      Reply
  9. Jehava says

    December 16, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    Your decor is so beautiful! Love it!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 18, 2016 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms says

    December 16, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    What an adorable idea! These turned out great!

    Reply
  11. Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says

    December 17, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    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.

    Reply
  12. Rosalyn O. says

    December 19, 2016 at 9:09 am

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

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 19, 2016 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks, Rosalyn!

      Reply

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Meet Lora

Lora is the Owner and Creative Director of Craftivity Designs, where she seeks to Create a Home that is simple, functional, and beautiful. With an eye for practical solutions... Read More…

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