The Upside-Down Christmas Tree

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

27 Nov 2007 11:35 AM

Upside-down Christmas trees are a hot thing this year. Learn all about them right here, including where they came from and where you can get one today.

Last Friday, Black Friday to be exact, our family enjoyed some time out at a local botanical garden to see Christmas shows and holiday lights. We had a great time, and decided to come in from the cold for a bit to enjoy a nice meal in the gourmet cafeteria. As we were finishing up our dinners, and the kids were enjoying some gingerbread, we started talking about one of the Christmas trees in the room. You guessed it; it was an upside-down tree, complete with wrapped presents, hanging from the ceiling.

I've seen a few upside-down Christmas trees before, but in very rare instances. Lately, it seem, though that they are everywhere, from elegant mansions to retail discount stores.

The upside-down Christmas tree dates back to the middle ages, when the shape of the tree was said to represent the Holy Trinity. Most trees, as we know today, are shaped "with the tip pointing toward heaven," but the upside-down trend seems to be coming back.

What are the benefits of an upside-down tree?

Well, there is the novelty of knowing that your Christmas tree is unique and a conversation starter for holiday guests. Families with small children will appreciate the fact that most of the ornaments on an upside-down Christmas tree are well out of reach of little ones. The upside-down tree also gives you plenty of floor space for presents, or in the retail world, stock to sell.

Where can you find an upside-down tree?

While these unique trees are still not as popular as the traditional trees, you can find them very easily this year, that is if they haven't sold out. They even come in pre-lit versions. Different mounting options include ones that can be ceiling mounted, ones mounted upside-down on a stand and ones mounted on a wall with the tip of the tree pointing down. I've seen them in such diverse stores such as Hammacher Schlemmer, Country Creations, and Target.

What do you think about the upside-down Christmas tree?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Lisa P (24013) 02 Dec 2007 04:22 PM

I just can't get on board with the upside-down tree. I think I'll probably stick with the traditional tree long after it has gone well out of style.

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Dec 2007 04:51 PM

Hmmm. . .just what I want. A bunch of people staring into my window as they pass by bc they can't figure out what they're looking at! LOL Like Lisa. . .can't get into it but it's interesting info!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 02 Dec 2007 05:13 PM

I think the upside-down tree can look elegant mounted on a very high ceiling.

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Dec 2007 06:31 PM

Okay I get it. . .I just looked it up to see pictures. it kind of makes me dizzy to look at them LOL but I bet someone could do one well. Maybe. . .just maybe that's what we need. . .we're not putting a tree up this year for fear of twin destroyers.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 02 Dec 2007 06:46 PM

Ah, our 16-month-old did manage to pull the tree down. Fortunately no one and no thing was hurt.

Valorie Delp (49340) 03 Dec 2007 02:58 AM

Yeah. . .the girls actually work together to cause mischief. It's just not worth injuring someone over it.