michaels dream tree challenge {reveal}

 This post is sponsored and written as part of a campaign with Michaels, but all opinions are my own.

Remember how I told you I was a part of Michaels dream tree challenge this year? I promised you I would reveal my tree on November 1st. Well, guess what folks? It's November 1st! That came along faster than I anticipated but that seems to happen to me quite often. Well, it has been like Santa's workshop over here and I am excited to share my tree with you.

Michaels sent me a pre-lit tree so the first task was unboxing it, setting it up and making sure the lights all worked. That's my least favorite part about decorating a tree so I had my little elf (actually big) help me. He's always willing to do the dirty work for me.

Lovely lights that are all in working order!

So now for the design part. I had a really hard time deciding how I wanted my tree to look. I have two very opposing favorite styles. Rustic country and classic contemporary. I ultimately decided that if I wanted to have a tree that I would love for quite a while I better stick to a more classic tree. I also decided that I would stick to some basic mixed metallics (silver, gold and bronze) along with red and white for my colors. I can always change my colors over time if I decide I want to, but for now I felt like these were great classic Christmas tones that I knew I would love looking at each year!

Michaels has so many amazing ornaments and tree trimmings that I had no trouble bringing my tree to life. First, I started off finding some ornaments and a tree garland that I knew would all compliment each other. Take a look at some of these great things I found!

I started trimming my tree with all these fabulous items and it started to come together!

I am a big fan of stripes, so I decided I also wanted to add some ribbon in a circular direction around my tree so it would give a bit of a striping affect. I got some beautiful red ribbon with gold trim at Michaels that looks so bold in the daylight and so shimmery at night when the Christmas lights are shining through it.

And of course I had to top my tree with a star. Try as I might, I just cannot pull myself away from a star topper. It just needs to be there for me to feel it is complete. I love the intricate detailing of this star from Michaels.

Then I was finished! That's not to say that I won't keep finding special ornaments along the way that just have to find a home on my tree, but for now it is complete.

If you want some decor ideas for the holidays, be sure to check out The Michaels Décor Guide. It has tons of ideas and projects to make spreading the holiday cheer throughout your house easy. Navigate through the online version, download a copy, or pick up one at your local Michaels! Also, check out the Michaels Holiday Gift Guide – with tons of present ideas, including the must-have gift this season, the original Rainbow Loom!

Michaels is also offering a holiday helpline this year! Now through Christmas Eve you can call 1-800-MICHAELS Monday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m. CST and be connected directly to Michaels crafting experts. You also can send craft questions via email to holidayhelp@michaels.com or by using the hashtag #askmichaels on Facebook and Twitter.