At my day job, holiday conversations usually revolve around shopping lists or family gatherings. So when a colleague mentioned she had spent Thanksgiving weekend getting her Christmas trees up, I assumed she meant one tree, maybe two. I joked that I barely have room for one. Her reply caught me completely off guard.
She puts up fourteen trees around her house, each one planned a year in advance. She recruits her sisters to help, offering food and drinks as an incentive, and explained that the tradition began with a “12 Trees of Christmas” theme that eventually grew to fourteen. I didn’t realize then that her fourteen trees would get me thinking about what our own Christmas trees might say about us.
Each of my colleague’s trees has its own theme, and through the pictures she shared I picked a few favorites. One featured Baby Yoda on the floor reaching for the star at the top, the tree itself leaning toward him with the help of a few carefully placed strings. Another was a book lover’s tree, dressed with a paper chain made from old Reader’s Digest pages. Ornaments tied to her favorite stories were tucked between the links, creating a cozy scene that looked like the perfect place to curl up with a book.
If our Christmas tree had a theme, it would be “Holiday Hodgepodge.” Each ornament is a chapter in a living scrapbook, telling the story of my life, my husband’s, and the years we’ve built together. Baby ornaments mark our beginning, fragile keepsakes that have endured through time. Snow White figurines recall the era when I adored everything “Dopey.” A first ornament as a married couple anchors our shared journey, and now that we live in the woods, moose ornaments have joined the mix, nodding to our new surroundings.
Our tree does not follow a color scheme or design plan. It follows memory. Every branch holds a piece of us, stitched together in glass, glitter, and thread. It is more than decoration. It is a biography in miniature, and an archive of who we are.
Of course, not every tree is a hodgepodge of memories. Many households lean into traditional styles, decorating with popcorn and cranberry chains strung by hand, silver tinsel draped like icicles, or garlands of beads looping around the branches. Candy canes hooked neatly on the tips, uniform red and green baubles, or cascades of gold ornaments all create a sense of order and timelessness.
Cultural traditions add even more variety. Victorians prized delicate glass baubles, handcrafted in Germany, as symbols of refinement. In Scandinavia, straw goats called Julbock stand as symbols of Yule. Mexican households may hang bright papel picado garlands or piñata ornaments. Mid-century Americans experimented with aluminum trees, reflecting the modern age. Each tradition adds its own layer of meaning, showing that even the most classic tree is more than decoration. It is heritage on display.
But beyond heritage, the way we decorate today often reveals something more personal. A Christmas tree can be as much a mirror of personality as it is a symbol of celebration. Whether bold and colorful, minimalist and serene, sentimental and handmade, or themed and experimental, each style speaks to the values and traits of the person who created it.
If your Christmas tree looks like a kaleidoscope exploded in your living room, you are not just decorating, you are declaring. Bold and colorful ornaments often reflect expressive personalities who thrive on fun and individuality. Psychologists note that color choices can reveal mood and character. Bright reds, pinks, and golds suggest energy and confidence, while blues and greens indicate creativity and imagination.
For those with minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired trees, the style often reflects a preference for calm, order, and clean lines. These trees might look like they belong in a design magazine, with neutral palettes of white, silver, or natural wood that create a sense of serenity. Psychologists suggest that minimalism can indicate a desire for clarity and focus. A pared-down tree allows the joy of the season to shine without distraction.
Then there are trees covered in ornaments made by hand, from kindergarten crafts to glittered keep-sakes. For these decorators, memories matter more than aesthetics. Each ornament is like a chapter in a Christmas tree scrapbook, capturing family stories and milestones. Psychologists link this style to nurturing personalities who value tradition and connection. Handmade ornaments remind us of childhood and of loved ones who are no longer here. A tree like this is less about impressing guests and more about celebrating family.
Another style focuses on vintage or heirloom ornaments, such as glass baubles from the 1950s or hand-painted decorations passed down through generations. These trees often reflect personalities who value stability and heritage. Decorators of this style take comfort in repeated rituals and enjoy preserving family traditions. Their trees honor the past while celebrating the present, creating a bridge between generations.
Spiritual decorators often crown their tree with a star, angel, or ornaments tied to faith. For them, a Christmas tree is more than a festive tradition; it is a reminder of eternal life, gratitude, and connection to something larger than themselves. Psychologists suggest that symbolic decorations reveal personalities who value meaning over aesthetics and find joy in ritual and tradition.
So, following this logic, what could I learn about my colleague with the fourteen trees? Trees that look like they belong on Pinterest, filled with pop-culture references, whimsical touches, and carefully curated themes, are often created by highly creative personalities. Themed decorators enjoy reinventing tradition and use their trees as a canvas for self-expression. Psychologists suggest that this approach reflects openness to new experiences and a desire to tell a story through design, showing that holiday décor can be as inventive as art.
Every Christmas tree tells a story, with each ornament and decoration offering a clue. While this is not a perfect science, I can see that our holiday hodgepodge reflects aspects of my personality and values. Even in years when our tree looked a little Charlie-Brown-y, it was just as beautiful to us as any magazine-worthy display. Our tree holds memories and moments, celebrating the life we have built together in a season of joy, reflection, and togetherness.
