Make A Wish – Christmas in Greece

I’m really excited about a fun project I’ll be working on over the next month. I’m decorating a Christmas tree at a Nashville area Designer Parade of Homes.

The cool part?  I’m decorating a tree that will auctioned off to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Three other southern bloggers will participate with me and decorate Christmas trees in different homes:  Kari Ann from Thistlewood Farms, Leslie from Chaotically Creative, and Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof.

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The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The specific wishes of a few local children are to be the inspirations for each of our trees. My Make-A-Wish tree is inspired by Joey, who has acute lymphocytic leukemia. His wish is to visit Athens, Greece and see the ancient ruins and churches there. I’m betting he’s a big fan of the Percy Jackson book series (at least that’s what my kids are guessing). I want it to be an elegant tree that will attract bids for Make-A-Wish, but still capture the essence of Joey’s special wish. I’ve been putting together some ideas on an inspiration board to help me make a plan for the tree:

OB-Christmas in Greece

 

I’ve never been to Greece, and really don’t know very much about the country!  So I’m asking for your help.  At this point, I’m leaning toward a gold, off-white, and seaglass color scheme.  I want to incorporate seashells, gold laurel crowns, and greek key symbols (maybe in a ribbon garland).  I’m having a hard time finding any ornaments that look like columns or ancient ruins!!! Do you have any suggestions to help me make this tree theme a success?  Any ideas are welcomed (I am begging you here, really).  Please share your ideas and anywhere I might find such ornaments in the comments below!

47 Comments

  1. Elayne

    I don’t know if this helps, but I know in Greece a lot of people decorate “Christmas boats.” It has something to do with their sailing and sea-going past. Okay, here’s a link: https://athenstyle.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/christmas-boats-karavaki-a-greek-tradition/ that talks about it. If you can’t find columns, or architectural ornaments, then boats might tie in if you can find some that work with your color scheme and style.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thanks, Elayne – I will check out the Christmas boats tradition 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nancy

    Hi Kristie! There is a Christmas shop in Manteo, NC that has more ornaments than you could imagine. Maybe they can help you find Greek column ornaments. Outerbankschristmas.com

    Reply
  3. Jill

    Kristie, you might find some ornament sized ‘columns’ at a cake decorating supply shop. A bit of gold spray paint and you’re on your way.

    Bless you on this important project.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      great, great idea! thanks so much, jill – i think i’ll probably be using LOTS of gold spray paint 🙂

      Reply
  4. Shelby

    I love this idea. How about some beautiful golden pomegranates? Persephone ate their seeds and had to remain in Hades. Any Percy Jackson-loving kid will know this. I think they could lend some beauty and sophistication and keep with Grecian theme. You are amazing!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Golden pomegranates!!! I’ll keep an eye out for something like that – I may need some gold spray paint 🙂

      Reply
  5. JL

    The color scheme is right on! Maybe incorporate their proximity to water, fish, boats. Have fun!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Ellen,
      What a fantastic idea – my daughter takes guitar lessons right in view of the Nashville’s Parthenon!!! Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Kim

    Paint some unglazed tiny plaster wreath shapes (should be able to find at any craft store) or dollhouse columns (see link below for an online source) in gorgeous Santorini blue! You could print small Greek flags on card stock to string together as a garland on some Santorini blue yarn, too – fun craft project for your family :-).

    Tiny unfinished columns:

    https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNj84XDzM_hrc2Qv1AsYHSW-lV3CAFlfECphdgsNrt_bGYCu5d

    I really hope some wonderful benefactor sees your tree and provides this little guy with a dream trip to Greece, too.

    Reply
  7. Kari

    Looks beautiful! My favorite color combos! Very worthy cause, kudos.

    Reply
  8. Karen Reidy

    Hello – Your blog is one of my all time favorites! I share it with everyone I know .
    The Greek national colors are blue and white. Usually it is a bright, medium blue . You often see the Greek national flag (blue and white) and Greek key designs as decor elements when you travel there. Additional motifs common in Greek art and culture are : owls ( symbol of Athens), lemons, black and orange figured pottery/vases, not only Greek ruins (columns, temples and such) but other famous reproductions from ancient Greek art such as classical busts, figures (with or without clothing), a double-headed ax, a labyrinth, rams, snakes, lions, ancient coins (often with the face of Alexander the Great, or an owl), dolphins, coral, small white adobe-looking plaster homes with blue roofs, Greek windmills, olives and olive trees, horses (associated with Poseidon and the ocean),a stylized sun motif, pomegranates, pysanky eggs (I have many of these on my Christmas tree), icons, Greek Orthodox churches and crosses (the four arms of the cross are equal length.)

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thank you, Karen!!! This info is very, very helpful. I LOVE owls, so I will definitely incorporate those and the horses, too. Great info, thanks for sharing with me 🙂

      Reply
  9. Amy White

    Maybe instead of the sea glass, or in addition to, getting the true blue of the Greek flag in there. They use a lot of that blue, and other saturated colors in their pottery and other decorative items.

    Reply
  10. Eleni

    Hi Kristie! Greek gal here; I’ve been following your blog for a while and I’m liking it a lot. Can confirm and strongly second the Christmas Boat and pomegranates. Very traditional. Miniature clippers or any kind of sailboats would work just as nicely.

    Another idea, though perhaps more obscure to non-Greeks, is triangle instruments (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_%28instrument%29 ). They’re a must for kiddies going on about singing carols (the Calanda) on Christmas Eve morning. (See more about this lovely custom here: http://www.sunnyfotini.com/blogfiles/christmasboats.htm )

    If you do use blue, you might want to go for the Santorini blue or the Greek flag blue (286 C Pantone, I think). The pale one is not as strongly associated with the country (from my perspective, at least).

    Best of luck – I’m sure you’ll come up with something very nice – and kudos for helping out for such a good cause. I hope Joey gets to travel here. He’ll have tons of fun! 😉

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Eleni,
      Thank you so much for your input and advice! I’m still debating the Santorini Blue – I know you are right about that, but I am dealing with the colors that will be in the designer showhouse and have to make the tree compatible. Off to do more research, thanks again!

      Reply
  11. Helen

    Fish tank accessories sometimes incorporate columns and ruins-looking items . . . just a thought!! Sprayed gold!! Look forward to seeing pictures of your final work/tree!! Love your touch!!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Well, I certainly would have NEVER thought of that, Helen – thanks so much, I will check out some pet stores!

      Reply
  12. kelly

    Have fun with it! The one thing I think about Greece is the beautiful blue water! You know how I feel about blue- I say add bold blue in for accent! Good luck!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thank you, Kelly! Have a great weekend, dear 🙂

      Reply
    • Veronica Tostado-Domurat

      Yes!! a pretty soft blue and bold blue like their flag together

      Reply
      • Veronica Tostado-Domurat

        I changed my mind 🙂 I think I like your soft blue and gold idea better. Reading Despina comment made me think twice. And I will do a lot of the fruits in gold so it looks fancy. Maybe I am late in the party haha but it still fun. I am sure it will be beautiful either way you do it.

        Reply
        • Kristie Barnett

          Thanks for your input, Veronica – you’re not too late, as I am still working on it 🙂

          Reply
  13. Jean Nielsen

    My daughter studied abroad in Athens for three and half months last year. She fell in love with the country! (We don’t have an ounce of Greek in our blood…) Anyways, for Christmas she brought home olive wood bowls…when you rub the wood, you can smell a hint of olive. Perhaps including olive leaves in the tree would be lovely…painted in gold or as is.

    Reply
  14. Sharon

    Hi Kristie – I think you can get Greek “columns” in several sizes from a wedding cake supply store. Often the tiers are separated by what appear to be ionic columns.

    Reply
  15. Meryll Rose

    Kristie,
    ReCreations on Sidco Drive already has 29 different Christmas trees up and decorated, many very ornate – so you might be able to find gold crosses, sailing ships, pomegranates, olive leaves – no telling what all they’ll have! And I’m guessing they would donate whatever you need, for a mention in the program or a little sign near the tree. I would be happy to talk with them about a donation if you find some things there that you like!

    Reply
  16. Carie

    My first thought of Greece is those beautiful blue and white buildings you see in the travel brochures. And yes, the blue Mediterranean Sea. Blue/White/Boats…. Not sure they really have seashells there – I envision rocky coastlines and not “beachy” coastlines. For columns, could you take those columns in the cake decorating aisle, and somehow use those?

    Reply
  17. Gina

    You’re something, Kristie! What a wonderful idea for the community, and the fact that you get to be inspired by one special child makes it so fulfilling for you. As a mother who lost a child to cancer, I can attest that the wishes the children are granted make a cherished memory for the family. Our daughter, age 4 at the time, chose…….Disney World! What else, right? We were treated like VIPs all the way to and from Florida. Our photo album stirs up a very special time that my husband and I were able to joyously spend with her. I will pray for little Joey. You are a blessing to him with your obvious excitement and commitment to this project, and believe me, it won’t go unnoticed. As for help with the tree, you’re well on your way to making your project stand alone. Best wishes and I can’t wait to see pics!!

    Reply
  18. Lesley

    Oh Kristen I love this. I can’t wait to see it in person. I think you have some amazing ideas here.

    Reply
    • Lesley

      Sorry Kristie, Don’t know why I keep calling you Kristen

      Reply
      • Kristie Barnett

        Well, it is late on a Saturday night, so I forgive you 😉

        Reply
  19. brad

    ericcortina.com has two fabulous column ornaments!

    Reply
  20. Despina

    Kristie, you almost made me cry! I’ve been following your blog for a while, but cannot remember if I have commented again. I am Greek, live on a greek island and I really hope this little boy’s dream comes true! We do decorate a lot of boats and use laurel leaves, pomegranates and olives (in every possible way!) to decorate our homes, children sing Christmas carols with the triangle ornaments (Eleni has already mentioned it, I think) and we believe that creatures like Christmas goblins tend to tease people around Christmas’ time :-)! You can see this Aegean blue (that’s how we call it because of the Aegean Sea) everywhere, but we don’t really use our flag for decoration. You will find it of course in tourist shops and so on, but you will rarely find it in real homes or on clothing items (for decorative purposes). I hope I have helped a little, if you need any information or links or anything, just let me know! 🙂
    PS. But if you do use the greek flag; it has nine horizontal lines, because each one means a syllable of the quote “Freedom or Death”.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Despina,
      Thank you so much for commenting and sharing those wonderful ideas for the tree!!! I really appreciate it and add a few things to my list to look for 🙂 I wish I could visit Greece – maybe someday!

      Reply
      • Despina

        You are always welcome! 🙂

        Reply
  21. Sandy

    There’s always a touch of pink for “rosy fingered dawn” or maybe the “wine-dark sea”

    Reply
  22. Cindy

    Hi
    My husband and I were lucky enough to live in Greece for 2 years. I agree with earlier posts about the prevalence of pomegranates and olive trees. Most homes have an olive, lemon, fig and pomegranate tree in the yard. Artisans dip the olive branches in gold and they are quite lovely. I have seen these dipped branches shaped into wreaths:
    http://www.elitecrafters.com/default.aspx?lang=en-GB&page=21&prodid=95
    Perhaps this can be your tree topper??

    Another image that comes to mind is the Byzantine art/icons that adorn churches and monestaries. These might make nice ornaments:

    http://www.cafepress.com/+byzantine-icon+ornaments

    Another ornament idea is to paint wooden Greek letters:
    http://www.craftcuts.com/greek-letters.html

    Lastly, I can’t help but include the Greek “mati” or evil eye. You see these everywhere:

    http://www.discoverallgreece.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-greek-evil-eye/

    Good luck. I am sure your tree will be exquisite!

    Reply
  23. Melissa Allen

    I have a good friend and sorority sister that is from Greece and so is her husband! She got married there and I am still kicking myself for not going to the wedding (Jake was very little then). Now lives in Chicago but I know she would be a great resource for you. Please connect with her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kiki.liberopoulos

    Reply

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