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This year I designed our Christmas tree to have a coastal theme. The ocean is one of my favorite places! Our whole family enjoys the beach and I look forward to our yearly visits. This year we visited Holden Beach with close friends: we spent the week swimming, grilling out, kayaking, and fishing. It was glorious and a much needed break from 2020. While at the beach we collected oyster shells. Turning our shells into ornaments inspired our coastal Christmas tree.

This is my third year participating in My Home Style: Christmas Tree Edition, hosted by Stephanie of Casa Watkins Living. All together we are sharing 30 different Christmas tree designs (links to everyone’s trees at the bottom of this article). If you are visiting from Our Fifth House, welcome!

This article contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

The words I used to describe our Christmas tree this year are coastal, navy and flocked. Our tree is from Amazon (King of Christmas brand). We have the 8ft version in this flocked style. I started with oyster shells and built up the design around them. I added navy blue and pearl white ball ornaments, starfish, blue and white rope, and a few glass ornaments wrapped in rope.

The starfish were purchased from a local craft store and add texture to the Christmas tree. I added a navy blue and white woven cord vertically (I purchased 2 spools at 15 ft each, and cut them in half—giving me 4 vertical pieces for our tree). For a more rustic look, you could add a natural jute style cord or garland to your tree.

I had no idea oyster shell ornaments were so easy to make! I sorted our collection of oyster shells and picked the ones with a nice shape and color. Using a small drill bit, I made a hole (hold on to the oyster shell—it will want to spin once the hole is created). I used leftover thin white cording to hang our oyster ornaments. This year I opted to keep them natural, next year I may paint a gold edge to our oysters.

Each time I walk by our tree it makes me smile. Christmas trees add cheer and holiday spirit to a home, and we especially need that this year. If you want to create a coastal tree the options are endless! Try teal or aqua ornaments, jute rope, sea shells, or a bit of sparkle.

Coastal Themed Tree Shopping Sources

Flocked Christmas Tree (8ft) – tree in 6ft version

Woven Tree Collar – similar

Navy blue and white glass ball ornaments – Hobby Lobby 

Navy and white woven cord- Hobby Lobby

Glass Fishing Float Ornaments – similar and similar

6-7” Starfish – similar

LED sphere Christmas lights

Our 11 month old puppy Winston is still adjusting to our Christmas tree. He thinks the flocked snow is for eating and doesn’t understand why we moved his dog toys from that corner (ha!)

Next, head over to Daly Digs to see Becky’s farmhouse Christmas tree!

Monday:  

Casa Watkins Living //  Up To Date Interiors  //  Taryn Whiteaker Designs  //  Cherished Bliss  //  Thou Swell //  Cassie Bustamante

Tuesday:

The DIY Mommy  //  PMQ for Two  //  Jeweled Interiors  //  Kate Decorates  //  Banyan Bridges  //  Making Home Base

Wednesday:

Monica Wants It  //  House of Hipsters  //  Cuckoo 4 Design  //  Delineate Your Dwelling //  Lolly Lane  //  Mango Manor

Thursday:

Two Twenty One  //  Lemon Thistle // Iris Nacole  //  Au Petite Salon  //  Whispering Pines Homestead

Friday:

The Handmade Home  //  Our Fifth House  //  Tag & Tibby  //  Daly Digs  //  House Homemade  //  Love Your Abode  

Julia Fain

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