A Grammy Themed Christmas Tree for Lauren

I know what you are thinking.

You are wondering why the girl who throws stuffed animals, barbies, G.I. Joes, glasses, and shoes on her Christmas tree is posting about a Grammy Themed Christmas tree – one that is color coordinated with not a stuffed animal in sight.

A few months back, Dana & Nancy from Forest Home Media in Nashville contacted me. They wanted me to decorate a tree in the theme of a child’s wish – a child that is braver than I ever could be, fighting for their life. Afterwards, the tree would be auctioned off and proceeds would go to Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

My first thoughts were:

Me? You really want me? Have you seen my Christmas decor? Nothing matches, nothing is themed, its just all a big hot mess that somehow works for us.

But I said yes. Because it was for an amazing cause.

And I started acting like the little engine that could, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”

When Dana sent the email with the list of kids and their wishes, I knew I could.

One of the kids was a girl.

An 18 year old named Lauren, who has Cystic Fibrosis and her wish is to go to the Grammys. She loves music and playing the guitar.

And if there is anything I love as much as decorating, its music – and little girls like Lauren who are braver than I’ll ever be.

I am the girl who knew for certain at the age of four that she was going to be the next Reba McEntire. And I still believed that until I finally reached high school and realized that my voice just wasn’t ever going to be pretty enough to sing in public – only in my car and the kitchen.

Dreams crushed. Love of music still strong though. 

I was thrilled to be able to share my love of music is such an awesome, awesome way with an extraordinary girl.

There were four of us that were asked to decorate trees (look for the links to everyone at the end) and each was showcased in four different homes in the Kings Chapel Neighborhood in Arrington, Tennessee. My tree was in a home built by Drees Homes – it was stunning and I will be sharing more photos from it soon. The builders provided each of us with funds to decorate the tree and Kirkland’s also gave us a gift card for some of the ornaments – thank you!

Doesn’t that tree look real? Its not!! Balsam Hill donated the trees for this project, so a big thank you to them! My tree was the Calistoga Fir.

Honestly, I had no idea where I was going with this tree, except that I knew there would be lots of gold because the Grammys have gold awards. I knew I wanted musical notes somewhere and thought I may have to make them, but I ended up finding ones.

And they were already gold and sparkly, so that was a huge win.

Then I found pink microphones, pink headphones and pink guitar ornaments.

Those worked perfectly since Lauren loves music and playing the guitar. It also helped to decided my colors of gold, a little black, and pops of pink.

The only thing I actually made myself for this tree was the bunting garland and the record tree skirt.

I found scrapbook paper with musical notes on it and made it exactly how I made the Vintage Storybook Garland on my tree.

I found some gold glitter paint that I put over the top of each “flag.”

For the tree skirt, I put out a plea for old records on Facebook. A big thanks to Rosemary from Not Just Paper and Paint who convinced her husband to give me some of his old records, my friend, Kara, who rounded up a ton for me and my father-in-law who went through his record collection pulling out duplicates.

All I did was spray paint the records gold with this spray paint and laid them around the edges of the tree skirt. I opted not to glue them down because whoever wins this tree may not prefer gold records on their tree skirt.

Nancy, one part of Forest Home Media, saw my plea on Facebook and connected with one of her friends whose husband is a three time Grammy winner, Keb’ Mo’. Although they wouldn’t give me their Grammy  to pop on the top of the tree as I so desperately wanted (haha!), they did graciously send me an album of his that won a Grammy. How cool (and super nice) is that?! I was pretty pumped.

I tied it onto one of the gifts under the tree and it is part of my tree’s silent auction.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Keb’ Mo’ and his wife, Robbie, even stopped by to see the tree!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to thank them in person for helping out, so here is a big, virtual, thank you!!

I topped the tree off with a gold glittery star and some fun picks.

The trees (and gorgeous homes) can all be viewed at the Holiday Parade of Homes at Kings’ Chapel from now through December 21st. As I said earlier, all our trees will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

Lauren, I hope you get to go to the Grammys, sweetie. 

After we all decorated our trees, we had a fun blogger high tea that was sponsored by HomeTalk, StyleBlueprint and Kirkland’s. Big thanks to them for letting us have a little fun!

The other trees were:

Circus Themed Tree from Thistlewood Farms

Super Model Themed Tree from Chaotically Creative

Greece Themed Tree from The Decorologist

And one more thing, while I still have your attention. 

Guys, let’s all remember that it is so much more important to give back this time of  year than to receive, well I think that’s true throughout the year.

There are so many good causes out there and even just giving a toy for a kid who won’t get anything for Christmas or $10 can help out.

Thank you to everyone who made this event happen – it was truly an honor to be included.

 You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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