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The evergreen trend of using upside-down Christmas trees dates back to the middle ages according to stories like the legend of Saint Boniface saving a child of Eastern Europe. Such trees are space-saving, trendy, and aesthetically pleasing and you can decorate these trees using traditional, creative, or DIY ornaments.
If you are bored of decorating your Christmas tree the same way every year, an upside-down tree is all you need!
The origin of such upside-down Christmas trees dates back to the medieval ages when people believed they symbolized the Holy Trinity. However, today they are used as a space-saving Christmas tree alternative. In this blog post, we will explore everything that you need to know about these inverted trees. Let us begin!
Origin And History Of Upside-Down Christmas Trees
Early Depictions In European Churches
One of the earliest inverted Christmas tree origins can be traced back to the medieval artworks of European churches, such as those in Poland. Though there are several meanings of such upside-down trees, one possible interpretation is that such trees symbolize the upside-down nature of the world. This means that the roots of the tree (representing the heavenly realm) point towards God and its branches (representing our world) point towards earth.
The story behind upside-down Christmas trees, according to the Bible, is that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, so they were expelled from heaven. This Christian doctrine of the fallen man depicts the reversed world order caused by the sins of the first humans. Medieval artists painted an upside-down tree to show how the order of the world was disrupted.
However, the tradition of hanging an upside-down Christmas tree is also credited to Saint Boniface. He was a Christian missionary who one day came across a group of pagans worshiping an oak tree in the eighth century.
The group was preparing to sacrifice a young boy to their higher power. Boniface decided to convert them to Christianity to save the boy, so he cut down the tree. A small fir tree emerged from its roots when the oak tree fell. Saint Boniface used this to symbolize Christ's birth and everlasting life. This is one of the most popular inverted Christmas tree origins stories in Christianity.
Upside-Down Christmas Trees In The Middle Ages
It is believed that using an upside-down Christmas tree was popularized as a tradition in the middle ages by Eastern European Christians (such as those of Poland). They used inverted trees to represent the Holy Trinity and Christ's crucifixion.
As mentioned before, the roots of inverted trees pointed toward heaven - while the branches pointed toward the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. An upside-down Christmas tree was popularly used in churches during the middle ages. However, gradually this symbol of the Holy Trinity made its way to the homes of the common public as a way to keep evil spirits away.
Popularity In Modern Times
Even though the tradition of possessing an upside-down Christmas tree may have died out briefly in Europe, it is regaining its popularity again. In countries like the United States, inverted trees are considered a trendy and modern alternative to traditional Christmas trees.
While an upside-down Christmas tree has a unique backstory - not everyone is installing it for religious reasons, of the Holy Trinity and Christ. People looking for a space-saving Christmas tree that happens to be aesthetically pleasing also love to invest in an upside-down Christmas tree.
Celebrities like Ariana Grande have contributed to the rise in popularity of upside-down trees by installing them in their house during the holiday season as a part of their Christmas traditions.
What Are The Advantages Of Upside-Down Christmas Trees?
1. Space-Saving
If you have ever invested in a traditional Christmas tree, you must know that it takes up a lot of floor space. This can be another menace if you live in a smaller apartment. You must also install a stand and skirt to secure your Christmas tree during the holidays.
On the other hand, an upside-down Christmas tree takes significantly less floor space. It does not need a stand to be securely fixed in a certain area of your home. As a result, you save a lot of valuable floor space that you can use for other (more important) purposes.
2. Aesthetically Pleasing
Many people choose to go for an upside-down Christmas tree because they are aesthetically pleasing. If your sense of style includes a balanced combination of boldness and elegance, an upside-down tree may be all you need to spice up your festive decorations this year.
An upside-down hanging tree can help you create an eye-catching display in your home. You can also use upside-down trees with more modern and sophisticated decorations. Add a few Christmas lights and ornaments, and voila! Your Christmas home décor will become a visual treat.
3. Unique And Trendy
If you like to stand out, making succulent Christmas trees or decorating upside-down alternatives should be your goal this festive season. Thanks to social media, the latter have become quite trendy today. Yet, only a few people are installing them in their houses, giving you the perfect opportunity to opt for something unique!
An upside-down tree is impossible to ignore, especially if decorated nicely. It can help you add the perfect wow factor to your home during the holidays by going against the norms yet staying in touch with the trends!
How To Decorate An Upside-Down Christmas Tree?
1. Traditional Decorations
You can also use the decorations that people typically use for decorating a traditional Christmas tree for an upside-down Christmas tree. Traditional decorations on an upside-down Christmas tree can help you spice up your tree without going overly bold.
Hanging lights, tinsel, decorative ornaments, such as a tree-topper, and so on is a good way to beautify your Christmas décor. You can easily place them on the evergreen branch of your upside-down Christmas tree!
2. Creative Decoration Ideas
Using traditional decorations on an upside-down tree may seem safe, but it may not allow you to explore your creative side. In such cases, you can try out several ideas that go against the norms and let you shine the designer in you.
For instance, hang your upside-down tree from ceiling-hanging fixtures like a chandelier. This can be an amazing décor idea for people who want to create a dramatic effect.
However, investing in fancy hanging fixtures is one of many ways to go about creative decoration ideas. You can also use non-traditional Christmas ornament sets to decorate your upside-down tree, such as ribbons, feathers, etc. This can help you create a unique and eye-catching look in your house.
Finally, you can play with colors to add a creative look to your Christmas tree. Experiment with different color combinations and see what color scheme fits your style the best. For instance, if you want a modern and sophisticated look this Christmas, you might want to decorate your tree with all-white ornaments.
Tips For Hanging Ornaments
It is important to note that inverted Christmas trees work against gravity. Hence, it would help if you were extra careful while decorating them. Here are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that you do not mess up decorating such Christmas trees:
1. Use Lightweight Ornaments
Since you will be hanging your Christmas tree upside-down from your rafter, it is crucial to use lightweight ornaments. If you opt for heavier alternatives, the branches of your Christmas trees may end up sagging or tilting over time.
Opting for lightweight ornaments will help you minimize the damage caused to your tree, thus making it last longer. You can go for more ornaments like fabric or paper, feathery or pompom decorations, etc., while you decorate a fir tree upside down in position.
2. Secure The Ornaments
While decorating a fir tree upside down, it is important to note that your ornaments are at a higher risk of falling off due to gravity. Hence, you should always secure all the ornaments carefully.
Tip
Attach the decorative ornaments to the branches of your inverted Christmas trees by securing them with either glue dots or double-sided tape to hold your decorations in place.
3. Hang Ornaments Close To The Trunk
Uneven weight distribution on a tree upside-down in position can lead to bent branches and damaged trees. Hence, it would help if you always tried to even out the weight of your ornaments while decorating your tree. A great way of doing that is to hang more ornaments closer to the trunk of your upside-down tree.
Where To Buy Upside-Down Christmas Trees?
1. Local Department Stores
A shopping mall or local department stores are a few of the most accessible regions to purchase holiday decorations. However, since the recent rise in the popularity of hanging trees is still relatively newer than that of a traditional tree - you might not find the former at every local retail store near you.
It is also important to note that the demand for hanging trees varies in different regions. Hence, it is always a good idea to call and check if the department stores have the topsy-turvy trees you are looking for.
2. Online Retailers
Online retailers are a great alternative to local department stores if you want to buy topsy-turvy trees. They provide you with several varieties, shapes, and sizes of such trees at competitive rates. The best thing about shopping online is that you can browse through multiple options without stepping a foot outside your house.
However, before buying your ideal topsy-turvy trees online, it is crucial to go through their reviews carefully. Notice trees hanging in the review pictures of the customers who bought your choice of an upside-down tree, and assess whether or not it coincides with what you are looking for. Once you are satisfied with the reviews and specifications of the tree, purchase it from the shopping site!
3. DIY Options
If you want to decorate a Christmas tree upside down but can't find the perfect fit anywhere - why not make it yourself? Creating topsy-turvy trees can be a fun DIY project for your loved ones this holiday season!
To make your own upside-down Christmas tree, you will need an artificial traditional Christmas tree and a stand to hang it from your ceiling. Fix the artificial tree on the stand as per the directions in the latter's instruction manual.
Next, decorate the tree with ornaments like gold-painted pine cones and lights - as you would decorate a traditional tree. Once you are done, hang the tree upside down from the ceiling with a sturdy hook or wire.
Can you decorate an upside-down Christmas tree like a regular tree?
Yes, you can decorate an upside-down Christmas tree like a regular or tabletop Christmas tree. You can hang all the ornaments, such as tinsels and gold-painted pine cones, and then, using a strong hook, hang the entire tree upside-down from your ceiling.
However, it is important to note that there is one difference between decorating an upside-down tree and a traditional tree. While working on the former, you need to secure all the decorations tightly so they don't fall off once the tree is hung upside-down. But while working with the latter, you need not worry about such things.
Are upside-down Christmas trees safe to use?
Yes, upside-down Christmas trees are generally safe if you follow the necessary precautions, such as securing them properly with a strong hook. However, it is important to note that you should only purchase trees of appropriate weight and size for the location where they will be hung. This way, you can minimize the chances of accidents, such as a tree falling.
What are some creative ways to display an upside-down Christmas tree?
There are many ways of getting creative with a spruce hanging upside-down tree, such as hanging it from a chandelier and suspending it from your ceiling with a decorative chain. However, to ensure your guests notice trees hanging, you can also consider mounting them to a wall.
Do you need a special stand for an upside-down Christmas tree?
Yes, it is a good idea to invest in a special stand for an upside-down Christmas tree. Such stands are sturdier but have to be purchased separately.
How do you store an upside-down Christmas tree?
Just like any other type of Christmas tree, storing an upside-down artificial Christmas tree can be tricky. However, it can be done if you follow the right steps. The first step to storing such trees would be carefully removing all the decorations from their branches. Next, uninstall the tree from your ceiling or well and rest it on its base.
You can wrap your tree in a plastic protective cover to avoid dust or debris buildup. Store the tree in a cool and dry place, ideally away from direct sunlight exposure.
How long do upside-down Christmas trees typically last?
Generally, a spruce hanging upside down a tree can last several years. However, this duration can vary depending on the quality of the tree, the environment it is stored in, and how well you maintain it.
Can you use an upside-down Christmas tree outside?
You can use an upside-down tree outside this Christmas and holiday season but note certain points. For instance, you should only go for trees specifically designed for use outside - because most of them are manufactured for indoor use.
Next, it is important to install an upside-down tree carefully. By hanging it outside, you will be putting your tree at a greater risk of strong winds, rains, and other weather conditions that may damage it. Hence, securing and protecting your tree by wrapping it in a suitable protective layer, such as plastic is important.
What are some popular decorating themes for upside-down Christmas trees?
There are several popular decorating themes for upside-down Christmas trees that you can go for this year. The modern and minimalist theme involves simple yet elegant decorations, such as metallic ornaments in gold and silver.
The rustic and natural theme is the best option for people who want to create a more cozy vibe this Christmas. However, if you want to make a bold statement this holiday season - go all out with a glamorous and sparkling theme.
Conclusion
Using upside-down Christmas trees can bring a unique twist to your routine holiday decorations. They help you save on floor space, aesthetically pleasing, and, most importantly - trendy! The backstory of an upside-down tree that involved a Saint saving a child from paganism makes it all the more special.
An upside-down Christmas tree can help you express your creativity and style to a great extent. You can find several decorative inspirations on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to decorate your hanging trees.
From minimalist to bold decorations, all the way to rusty themes - you can try your hands on your choice of style while decorating your next upside-down Christmas tree!
