Many people love the Christmas season. What’s not to love? The baking, hot cocoa, wrapping gifts, the lights, and the decorations all add to the warmth of the memories.
Christmas trees are the centerpiece of holiday decor, and some like them so much they feel a sense of grief when January 1 rolls around, and they must contemplate taking it down. This year, some creative people found a way to keep their tree and decorate it, too.
Repurposing your Christmas tree into a Valentine’s Day tree is a trend on social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. There are a lot of ideas and advice from online DIY experts and blogs on the subject, blooming like roses in a florist shop.
The primary participants of this subculture are women, especially moms and grandmothers who enjoy keeping the holiday spirit alive a little longer. They began posting their Valentine Tree transformations in mid-January after the Day of Epiphany.
The Day of Ephiany is the absolute last traditional day of the holiday season, signaling the time to remove any last vestiges of Christmas. Kathryn McPhail, once a reporter for Adelphia Channel 4 in Cartersville, decided to take a different route to the idea of removing her tree. She turned her lovely, tall, green tree into a tall symbol of Valentine’s Day.
“I’ve always loved how our Christmas tree makes the house feel warm, cozy, and festive,” McPhail said. “I’m never quite ready to take it down when January arrives. So, I decided to extend the joy this year and transform it into a Valentine’s tree.”
McPhail, now a wife and a mother of two, said it wasn’t hard or expensive. She removed the winter holiday ornaments, exchanging them for red hearts, pink ribbons, and white cards bearing words of love. She found a treasure trove of decorating possibilities in stores like Dollar Tree and the clearance section of Hobby Lobby. There was little investment involved because everything was on sale, she said.
“I’m so happy with how it turned out. It’s a fun way to keep the holiday excitement going a little longer,” she said.
Her two daughters are also happy with the switch. McPhail said her 9-year-old was especially thrilled with the whimsical nature of the Valentine Tree. Others who transformed the tree keep the white lights for that romantic glow. The only question that remains is what happens after Valentine’s Day. Well, Easter is around the corner.