I keep seeing the quote "Christmas isn't supposed to be sleek and minimalist. It's supposed to look like joy threw up in your house." I love that quote.
Yeah, I generally prefer a sleek, understated decor but this is Christmas, if there's not 10 different colors all screaming for attention and clashing with each other what are we even doing.
My father was born in the early 1930’s. His parents were German and Danish. They had candles on the tree. But, they got their tree on Christmas Eve. The tree was in the front room. My grandparents closed the doors, decorated the tree, lit the candles and let the kids in. It was magical. And that was it. Candles were never lit again. So, just for an hour or so on Christmas Eve.
That's also why Norwegian/Swedish/Danish trees are so spindly and sparse -- you didn't want a really bushy tree, because you needed the space between branches to light the candles and see the ornaments.
I also think there's a huge difference between actually making the ugly toilet roll ornaments with your kids and buying one made in a sweatshop in China. It's less about the ornament, and more about the memory of spending time with your kids.
Yeah, everyone in my family has a home-made fairy for the top of their trees. It's a tradition. Making something is not ugly, it's a time spent doing something nice. ...And I'm only just realising that Holly didn't make it on the tree this year yet. Disaster! She's probably weeping in the Christmas box.
Our neighbors used to light real candles on their Christmas tree. They were an elderly widow and her daughter. They were from Germany. In the early 1990's they invited us and our kids over to see their tree. The tree was fresh. They only kept it up about a week. There weren't many ornaments and no tinsel. There weren't too many candles. Each had a metal holder which was placed towards the end of the branch with nothing hanging above. They lit the candles. We stood around for a while visiting admiring the tree. Then they put the candles out with a candle snuffer. It was lovely. They never left the tree unattended while lit.
The common lighting for a Christmas tree in Germany today consists of electric candles in the form of string lights, which are placed just as you described. They resemble real candles and have a warm-colored LED or bulb. So you get almost the same apperance but its save :)
This makes me feel super old, but real candles on trees was a hot potato when I was small. It was The authentic thing to do, but every year someone burned their entire livingroom. I just realized that those candles have faded into history.
This is also how the Victorians did candles on the tree. They were never lit for very long, and mostly just to show off to the neighbors. It's actually kind of neat... as long as you have a fire extinguisher at the ready!
That is how old Croatian Christmas trees were, too! My parents still have the candles from their parents (my grans), I love that they are carried through generations - I’ll be getting them as aa😮passed along too! ❤
One of my favorite memories was taking my oldest son, then 2, out to see the lights. We heard him saying "Wow!" at every house with lights, then as we passed houses without lights, he would say,"No wow." We were just listening to him and laughing 😂. I can still hear his little voice. ❤
When my kiddos were very young, one of them said that our house looked at the other houses in the neighborhood with all of the lights and probably felt sad about its few strings of lights. 😄
Every November for 23 years I took my son to ornament shop. He was allowed to select five per year. When he moved out on his own, I gave him all the ornaments we collected over the years. Now they hang on his tree.🌲
Wonderful. He's still going to be talking about those ornaments long after your gone. Maybe to his kids. Maybe to grandkids. Blessing to you and your family.
My mother got us each an ornament every year while growing up. They were selected with our age and personalities in mind. She gave them to us after we moved out, and when they're hung on the tree you can see our progression growing up. 🙂
'Minimalists will stop at nothing'. Unintentionally hilarious! Because yes, they will. Minimalists will remove everything, and when they get to 'nothing', they'll stop, satisfied. 😂
I like the look better than all the tinsil and super sparkly stuff, we'd use white string lights too. Never tried gingerbread but used cranberry and popcorn/candy canes. I don't set up my tree on the ground anymore because my dog would just eat the candy canes off the tree😂.
@@CloaknDagger isn't it just? There's a Christmas-themed statue in Rotterdam by the same artist, called Santa Clause. It has become fairly iconic and has inspired some interesting Christmas lights.
I remember in the late 1960's my brother had committed suicide at 19 and I was 16 it was a hard time. I wanted a black-flocked Christmas tree with gold decorations and white lights. Everyone thought my parents were nuts for going with my idea and I tell you everyone was amazed at how beautiful the tree was. I thank my parents for letting me be creative at a very hard time. Yes, there was a place that would flock your real tree in many color
So glad to hear your parents went along with whatever mourning you had to do. Not all families are that tolerant. Living in So. California when my children were young I tried one year to convince them to have a different sort of "tree" since the routine Christmas trees were expensive. I suggested a multi-branched manzanita branch so we could enjoy our hand-made ornaments in a practical way, but the idea was not well received at all. On the other hand, I had a neighbor who had a tree made of shiny aluminum, and I confess I would rather go without any tree at all than have such a monstrosity in my living room. I guess it's all a matter of opinion and taste.
When you start to think about all the stuff influencers buy for just Christmas decor on a wide scale…whoa some industries must really love social media because I don’t think it was always like this
@@shashashasha4239 I still have ornaments stamped 'Made in DDR/GDR'. East Germany had a huge artisanal glass blowing industry. East Germany doesn't exist anymore... Sadly these ornaments are starting to corrode on the inside. With at least 30 years behind them it's fine, but also sad.
In my neighbourhood there's a house that has squeezed a semi deflated Santa and a polar bear on their porch. The first time I saw it I wasn't wearing glasses and thought Santa was 'mounting' the bear. Its HILARIOUS, but also....why did they think they needed those decorations?
Nick Lewis Quote of the Week: (candles on Christmas trees) “I wouldn’t go to the bathroom with this thing coz you know you’re going to come back and your whole living room is engulfed in flames. That’s not fun for anybody”. Very hard to pick best quote this week as there were so many strong contenders! Love your work as always. ♥♥♥
My husband is German and they had the candles on the tree when he was a kid. But! The tree went up on like Christmas eve, was freshly cut and was only lit the one time.
My friend is Swiss and she lights the candles and her husband stands next to it with a fire extinguisher. We all sit and nervously say Oh how beautiful....
Exactly. To do this you also have to choose the correct tree--one that is whorled with wide spaces (about 12 inches or 30 cm) between the branches. Candles can stand, ornaments and tinsel can hang in the spaces. Today's Christmas tree farms usually don't prune them to grow that way. They are bushy and everything lies on the surface. Artificial trees are worse. The type of fir is also important. A Douglas fir will go up like a torch in three weeks or less. And they are often kept on lots for months sometimes. Those are hazards with any type of lights. A freshly cut Noble, Balsam or Frasier fir will not ignite three or even four months later. They're still that green. I have held a butane lighter to the leaves to test them when I was worried about the condition of the tree.. (A small bit, held over the sink, of course. In case.) I haven't seen Kertzen (candles) lit on a tree often; however, there is nothing like it. More beautiful because the moment is so fleeting.
Do people remember reading about the Christmas fires that leave people homeless ?? Yeah, I know it's candles and cigarettes, but there might be some trees with candles involved too.
@@juliehanson1175 Years ago we had a real tree that dried out too fast; I took a sprig and lit it in the fireplace just to see what would happen. It burst into flames IMMEDIATELY and after that it is fake trees for us!
@@juliehanson1175 It's a very culture-specific thing to do and those who still maintain it take all sorts of precautions. But I found a few articles on the subject after a quick Google search. Too much to summarize.
As a young kid, we really didn't have a lot, but our parents scrimped and saved to give us kids a huge Christmas celebration. I remember saving the tinfoil from my Dad's cigarette packs and using it to make silver ornaments. My Mom just raved about my "beautiful" ornaments. Thanks for the nostalgia and the comments section for stirring up this memory. Ps, when I was a kid, cigarettes cost 26 cents a pack.
I remember doing this! You rubbed the wrapper with your finger nail to separate the foil from the paper. Haven't thought about that for 50 years. We wrapped the foil around segments from an egg carton to make silver bells.
I have a 4 year old. I have for many years identified as a minimalist person. But in the last year I am embracing the chaos. Does my house look like a preschool classroom? Yes. Is it filled with joy and love. Yes. It is a season that I am really enjoying.
Oh my. I’m just now pausing to take a breath from that silent laugh that takes so long to recover from. I’m 59, prepping for Thanksgiving in the kitchen, laughing along until we get to the tree in Paris. It looks silly, but i had absolutely no idea what it was, so I showed that part of the clip to my husband and 30 year old son. Now my son and husband are laughing hysterically because I’m that naive person you were referring too.
just in case husband & son aren't willing to explain, the shape is very reminiscent of...how to say this delicately? an...adult recreational object designed to be placed inside the back door.
Omg!!! I can't!! That's all I see, and it's not just the inflatable ones!! Target sells the small glass/porcelain ones for interior decorations too, and I can't walk past the aisle without giggling!! 😂😂😂
We lived on an Air Force base in Germany many years ago. We loved walking around the housing area just before Christmas. People who were used to living in a house, were now in apartments with small balconies. They would put the same outdoors displays from their house onto the balcony. We loved how over the top it all was.
@@nettie607 We lived “on the economy” in Pruem Germany over 50 yrs ago when my new husband was in the AF. Shopping at the PX I found a wax head / hands Germany tree top angel just like my mom had. It’s not Christmas until my beautiful vintage angel graces the tree ! Oh the memories 🩷
"We all sat around and watched the tree, it didn't go up in flames which is a miracle, that's a Christmas miracle right then..." Nick I've had a horrible day and this had me crying laughing. I mean seriously all someone has to do is breathe hard near it and whooosh! Also the minimalist nativity scene, I mean c'mon. 😂 Been watching your channel for a good while now, first time I've commented, thanks so much for making my day brighter without even knowing it.
The in-laws rented a condo on the beach for Christmas and we went ahead of time and put up a tree for them. Instead of buying ornaments, we collected a bunch of shells that had a single hole from the beach and tied a red or green ribbon. A few of the Less Pretty shells we covered in glitter… for under $10 we were able to decorate the whole tree (we used ribbon as garland)… and while it definitely had a theme, it was less of a “beach” theme and more of a “use what your natural environment provides”. It was subtle and pretty
This sounds like it was authentic! Beach condo, real shells, simple and natural. I think there's a recurring theme across pretty much all the interior design advice, that fake is gonna look tacky. Take that shell decorated tree into the middle of suburbia and it wouldn't work!
I grew up near a beach, and one year we had paper chains and seashells on the tree! The seashells was a clever strategy from my parents, we went to the beach to collect them and had to find ones with holes in them already to put the string through. It took ages. Later I remembered that cellotape exists 😄
I grew up with tinsel on the tree, and it was beautiful. We didn’t have candles, we had lightbulbs, the big ones. My father talked about having candles on the tree 🌲, and they lit them for a brief time, bucket of water at the ready.
Nick - This video reminded me of something a friend told me about her mother, wow - maybe 30 years' ago? Her mother lined the floor and walls of one corner of their somewhat-finished basement with tin foil - then sat the tree on the tin foil - so that the floor and walls would reflect the lights. Well, guess what. The plug for the lights was behind the foil and, yes, she went to plug in the lights THROUGH the foil as she stood on the foil on the floor...and was blown across the room. Fortunately, she lived...and without disability. You can't make this sh** up.
I believe it! When I was a toddler, I was electrocuted by the Christmas tree. My dad told the story, that it was a silver and blue tinsel tree (1960's ). They figured part the aluminum tinsel "needles" got caught in the socket of a light, and then I grabbed it trying walk around the tree.
through the foil??? I can only imagine expecting a cute *ponk* from the plug popping through the foil. well.. not only from the foil, it seems. I'm sorry, dark humour. I'm truly glad she was okay. but holy crap whatttt
@@n.normal1565 unfinished basement in the 90s, probably no circuit breaker connection... idk much about faulty wiring but sounds plausible if your luck ran low that day. yikes.
"You only get one inflatable, and that inflatable should be no bigger than a person. And even then..... you shouldn't have one." 😂😂😂😂 Took the words out of my mouth! 😂🤣
Omg I live in THAT Christmas light neighborhood and I hate it so much!! It draws crowds from all over the city and adds about 25 minutes to my commute home from work for the month of December. On one hand I understand wanting a free Christmas activity for families, on the other hand the traffic has turned me into the Grinch.
Oh goodness, they really ought to be required to disclose those areas when folks buy a house so you know what you're getting yourself into and can make an informed choice!
Well walking might work in an area where it doesn't snow but if it does in your area, people often don't shovel their sidewalks, just their personal walk ways. I know where I live you straight up can not safely walk places in the winter, even suburb streets
As for the candles: there are really nice flickering led-candles for christmass trees. You get the flame effect without a fire hazard and cordlessness is a huge plus.
Us with kiddos and animals get it. He couldn’t understand the things that will make us jolt out of bed at night lol freaking out if we turned the over off or if the kids are alive.
Okay Nick I got to say it, that standing light in the background reminds me of a hair dryer from Betty's Beauty Barn!... but if you like it that's all that matters😅
I love love love the extreme lengths people go to to fill their house with Christmas. I see a lot of people on here say it’s tacky but if you go to someone’s house with every hall decked in holly and you don’t smile, there’s something wrong with you.
As a Dane, I'm going to defend putting candles on a tree! We light them on Christmas Eve, then we walk around the tree and sing songs. It's a Danish (and probably general Scandinavian) tradition! It's very cozy! Then, after we are done singing, we sit around the tree and open presents. When all is done, the candles are blown out because, of course, you don't leave fire alone and unsupervised! Sidenote: We usually buy our tree a week or a few days before Christmas. That kind of tree doesn't burn well and is easy to put out!
I agree with you on the inflatables, with one exception: our lousy neighbour. With her year-round behaviour, our nasty neighbour clearly despises a particular portion of the population. So, just for her during the holiday season, we set up a giant inflatable Menorah facing her home in our backyard. To our surprise, other neighbours adjacent to her are setting up giant inflatable rainbows and dreidels this year. A little holiday cheer for everyone! 🎄🌈🕎
My husband and kids love to put the xmas lights up outside. They have chosen all different colours and design. It's so sweet and I'm so lucky that I have a family that love spending time together like that. To this day, I don't have the heart to tell them how ugly and tacky the lights look. It brings them so much joy, how can I say anything?!
With the new led micro lights, very little power is being used. Ever with the whole neighborhood being lit up, probably not a big power pull. Not like AC in Arizona
In support of coastal-themed trees (full disclosure: I live in Hawaii), why should we all be expected to decorate for Christmas as if we all live in New England? Is that not a theme? We live in the tropics in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Why not decorate with shells and ocean colors? Or, ...some of the most beautiful trees I've ever seen were done up in bright tropical flowers! Gorgeous! Shells and flowers themes can be done with beauty and class, too. Embrace it. Merry Christmas and Aloha to all! 😊
Love and fully agree with your stance on this! I think the location of where you're at makes a huge difference in the local decor style. I'm in Michigan and people here love the beach aesthetic for both Christmas and the rest of the year. In Michigan it's less tropical beach and more of a fresh water aesthetic, if that makes any sense lol. Its not my personal taste but I see the appeal for people who's identity are so tied to their environment
My husband served in Hawaii for 8 years and Guam for 5. Now he's retired and we live in New England! We still use his Polynesian fish and seashell ornaments on our Christmas tree every year. We still decorate the trees outside. Granted their legit new england trees now but the sentiment is still there from decorating the palm trees. Melekalikimaka! Aloha
For sure! We add some sort of beach themed stuff to our tree b/c we bought the ornaments at our favorite beach--supporting the local artists and adding items to our tree that are meaningful for us. What you're describing sounds reallu lovely
@@barbarianveeThank you. I love that you support local artists!! And memories! Yes, yes! I wish I could figure how to send a pic of the tree. It actually turned out quite elegant. Mele Kalikimaka
I'm glad we're finally addressing how odd nutcrackers are with those gaping mouths and dead eyes. Between nutcrackers and the Elf on the Shelf which I'm sorry looks like it's waiting for you to drift off so it can steal your kidneys, I feel like Christmas has Halloween beat hands-down for most terrifying decor.
It's worse than Halloween because it feels like gaslighting. Halloween, if something is creepy we can all agree it's creepy and is meant to be that way. Christmas it's all "oh, these are CUTE and WHOLESOME décor items!" as those terrifying uncanny valley humanoid things are put up everywhere 😱
My entire house buying chain collapsed on Tuesday, just as we were ready to sign contracts. I have a heart condition and the stress put me in hospital. Thanks for the laughs today Nick, I needed them.
Awwww, Helen. I hope it all works out and you can feel better soon. Buying a house is a freaking nightmare. I bought one and am dying in it. LOL Happy Holidays!
I have ornaments on my tree that are over 100 years old and have the history to go with them. Some hung on my mother's first tree and some on my grandparents' first tree as a married couple. Some came from Germany with my father's grandfather. No matter how ratty looking, they are put on the tree every year. When we take the ornaments out and again when they are wrapped up, I tell the stories to my son so he will have those stories to pass on to his children. Each special ornament has its story. Christmas for us is all about tradition, not theme. I'll admit, my tree has more than its fair share of bird and bell ornaments with some of the bells being 100+ years old.
18:55 we do this in our family. Here, in Hungary, we usually decorate the tree on Christmas Eve (in secret, if you have little kids) light candles, sing, give presents and BLOW OUT THE CANDLES. Yes, you're right. You cannot leave the tree unsupervised. (As the firefighter say, who are ALWAYS busy on Christmas Eve).
Us too here in Germany. My parents did that when we were young and they still did that when my nephews went through their rowdy phase. I still do that too. Inside the tree we have small lights that are continuously on and the candles are only lit up in the evening when you sit in the living room. Kids know they have to be careful around candles and there are measurements where and how to put the candles on the tree to prevent them becoming a fire hazard. A lot of friends and family here in Germany have real candles. The Canadian part of the family doesn‘t have them. It seems to be a European thing ;)
@NickLewis Thank you so much! My family has had a rough few days with losing a relative and another one having a very close call, and this video made me laugh until there were tears rolling down my face. Thanks again for making us laugh. Have a wonderful holiday season!
I remember piling into the car in our pajamas, driving around in the snowy Michigan winters, just to go to THAT neighborhood. It was part of the magic of Christmas. 🥰
I love how you have your own style and you express your likes and dislikes but still understand that Christmas is elegant and beautiful and tacky and campy and homemade and over the top and minimalist. Its all of these things! And on some level we all can appreciate all of it.
I'm German, and I don't know anyone who decorates their Christmas tree as lavishly as Americans do. Most people here, myself included, have rather subtle decorations compared to Americans (but unfortunately more and more people are becoming 'Americanized', especially when it comes to outdoor decorations). I would love to use real candles, but I can't because of my dogs, I have battery candles instead.
Oh I don't know - I have quite a few blown glass German decorations- Tiny teapots and coffeepots, and pine cones, and birds with glass fibre tails, and all those German Christmas fairs! however, in general I think they are probably less glitzy and maybe more traditional than what Americans do.
I don't decorate for Christmas anymore. Just cause it doesn't feel like christmas since my parents and sister live abroad now. I used to go in the woods with my parents and sister to get a real tree. It was never as full as other people's thicc and lucious trees (my friends would actually make fun of it) but I legit loved our silly little tree. Each year it was the memory of going in the woods to find THE BEST tree with my family. Decorate it and celebrate the 4 of us.
@@ademers03 Years ago I decided to “ do Christmas “ for my own enjoyment. Make new memories, start new traditions for Yourself ! Maybe go to a Christmas tree lot and buy a beautiful tree for a family shopping for one ??? Buy hot cocoa for someone living on the street. Drop a $20 bill in front of a needy person - pay for the groceries of somebody else in line. And go to your local library and ask the children’s librarian for a copy of “Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect, “ by Richard Schneider. I am wishing you joy this Christmas season.
@ademers03 I have a memory of walking in the woods with my dad to find a tree. The one I wanted first, he joked that we would have to cut a hole in our roof :D, but the one we did bring home was still so lovely. I am glad we did that together.
I am that house with the inflatables. I do it for Halloween and Christmas because its so grey up here in the PNW and I neeeeeeed some color.. My son absolutely loved inflatables when he was alive and everytime I light an inflatable up it reminds me of how happy he was.. 😭💔
My favorite ornaments are the ones I handmade with my Nana, Mom, siblings, and eventually my own kids. Without the emotional connection, someone would say they are “tacky.” But that opinion is irrelevant to me, as those ornaments bring back the sweetest memories. THAT is what the Santa season, for me, is all about, especially as I am now the eldest generation in my family.
“I hope they’re in an assembly line saying … what the hell is this?” 🤣🤣 that has forever changed the way I look at board short Santa’s … and I live in Myrtle Beach SC… so there are A LOT of those ridiculous things!🤣🤣
When the candles were lit on the tree all I could think of was that scene from Christmas Vacation when uncle Lewis lit the tree on fire…I was waiting for the big poof 😆.
The woman who lived next to my aunt (who had an above average amount of lights but not like causes traffic problem amounts or anything) would put up a sign with an arrow pointing at her house that said "Jesus is the reason for the season not this". She was about as shitty of a neighbour as that the rest of the year though so not totally unexpected lol.
“Minimalists will stop at nothing”. How can you be so literal and so hysterical at the same time … laughed out loud several times and that’s not usually me. Thanks big bunches 💛
We do cheesy Christmas decorations because our children love them, which happens because we taught them to love the things we loved as children. The very goofiness of the outdoor decor is part of the family vibe. My adult children just took me to see the lights at the Houston zoo - priceless.
One year we couldn’t afford a Christmas tree (it’s ridiculous expensive in Puerto Rico) and my mom gathered some branches, sprayed them white, put some lights and decorations and Wahla! She felt bad about it and yet it was a Christmas I will always remember.
I have a friend with a minimalist nativity and it's so funny because he's a maximalist in so many other ways. The first year he put it on display, I couldn't figure out why I why wanted to cry laughing. Thanks to Nick for sorting it all out for me!
I only have a tree. I don’t mess with all the other decorations, I hate putting them away. But I kind of have a theme with my tree. Every country I visit I get an ornament, so I have a travel tree. I like pulling out the ornaments and remembering the wonderful memories.
Christmas is first for the kids. My husband puts up inflatables, flashing lights etc, in as tasteful a way as possible, and the neighbourhood kids come and just stare at everything in delight. He gets happiness from their joy.
Pausing from the beginning real quick to say that is STILL my favorite sweater! The marbled raspberry is an excellent color for you! (At least, that's the way the color appears on my phone)
I don't like inflatable couches either but I am thinking if I ever see one at a thrift store I might buy it just to see the look on my cat's face the first time she starts clawing it.
I’ve made it very clear to my family if anyone brings home an inflatable decoration for any season it will get shived in the middle of the night. The decoration, not the family member. Probably.
Growing up we had real candles on our tree. We had no tinsel! We only lit it up once and we lit it after dinner and blew them out while we were opening presents. My grandmother was European and it was for her.
Growing up, my mom bought those late-60’s to mid 70’s satin-silk spun balls for our Christmas tree…because “they were on the shelf” and she just grabbed them. My dad hated them so much, when the tree got dismantled, he took them off, and just threw them in the box with the hooks still on them… then would shake the box before they were put in the attic… causing the hooks to get caught and tangled into the balls next to them.. did the same thing the following Christmas coming down from the attic… my mom opened the boxes, and the ornaments were all tangled and ratty looking! Ahhh! The memories! 😂😂😂
I love watching your home evolve! Every video sees a bit more. I assume you are so very busy in your real life so thank you for carving out time for us. Happy holidays and hope you are truly happy with all the changes this year brought. 😘
My neighbors from a few years ago had an inflatable pig with wings, and a Micky Minnie pair that they’d put out for Thanksgiving and Christmas 😂 It was quirky and confusing and kinda charming
Reminds me of early 1990s when people filled orange "jack-o-lanterns" bags with leaves. A friend had a visitor from Denmark asking why everyone left garbage bags on their lawns
I realized my rustic lifestyle in Canada makes for ideal Christmas ambience. Decorations and tree are fresh every year; there are fir, cedar and pine trees within feet of my cabin and when it snows everything looks like perfect Scandi Holidays no matter what I do!
Live lights on a real tree is magical - it´s a once a year special, christmas night, true spirit of christmas.... It's not about decor or style, it´s the 15 minutes where children find out that christmas is more than themselves...
I keep seeing the quote "Christmas isn't supposed to be sleek and minimalist. It's supposed to look like joy threw up in your house." I love that quote.
Love this!
Yeah, I generally prefer a sleek, understated decor but this is Christmas, if there's not 10 different colors all screaming for attention and clashing with each other what are we even doing.
My father was born in the early 1930’s. His parents were German and Danish. They had candles on the tree. But, they got their tree on Christmas Eve. The tree was in the front room. My grandparents closed the doors, decorated the tree, lit the candles and let the kids in. It was magical. And that was it. Candles were never lit again. So, just for an hour or so on Christmas Eve.
Sounds enchanting
My parents are from Belgium. They did that too. I can't remember which house but their candles lit their tree on fire!
I live in Germany and my family still does that!
@ oh, no!
That's also why Norwegian/Swedish/Danish trees are so spindly and sparse -- you didn't want a really bushy tree, because you needed the space between branches to light the candles and see the ornaments.
I also think there's a huge difference between actually making the ugly toilet roll ornaments with your kids and buying one made in a sweatshop in China. It's less about the ornament, and more about the memory of spending time with your kids.
Or making them yourself because you enjoy it and maybe don't want/can't spend money on christmas ornaments but still want to decorate your tree
@@blackk_rose_
Totally agree! If Christmas is about the kids in your house, tacky doesn’t matter.
Agree! Ugly crafts with family are fun and endearing, but buying ugly stuff to try to pretend you spent quality time with your family is ridiculous.
Yeah, everyone in my family has a home-made fairy for the top of their trees. It's a tradition. Making something is not ugly, it's a time spent doing something nice.
...And I'm only just realising that Holly didn't make it on the tree this year yet. Disaster! She's probably weeping in the Christmas box.
Our neighbors used to light real candles on their Christmas tree. They were an elderly widow and her daughter. They were from Germany. In the early 1990's they invited us and our kids over to see their tree. The tree was fresh. They only kept it up about a week. There weren't many ornaments and no tinsel. There weren't too many candles. Each had a metal holder which was placed towards the end of the branch with nothing hanging above. They lit the candles. We stood around for a while visiting admiring the tree. Then they put the candles out with a candle snuffer. It was lovely. They never left the tree unattended while lit.
Thats beautiful
The common lighting for a Christmas tree in Germany today consists of electric candles in the form of string lights, which are placed just as you described. They resemble real candles and have a warm-colored LED or bulb.
So you get almost the same apperance but its save :)
This makes me feel super old, but real candles on trees was a hot potato when I was small. It was The authentic thing to do, but every year someone burned their entire livingroom. I just realized that those candles have faded into history.
This is also how the Victorians did candles on the tree. They were never lit for very long, and mostly just to show off to the neighbors. It's actually kind of neat... as long as you have a fire extinguisher at the ready!
That is how old Croatian Christmas trees were, too! My parents still have the candles from their parents (my grans), I love that they are carried through generations - I’ll be getting them as aa😮passed along too! ❤
One of my favorite memories was taking my oldest son, then 2, out to see the lights. We heard him saying "Wow!" at every house with lights, then as we passed houses without lights, he would say,"No wow." We were just listening to him and laughing 😂. I can still hear his little voice. ❤
Do you know what that story made my day🫶🏽
That’s SO cute 🥰
When my kiddos were very young, one of them said that our house looked at the other houses in the neighborhood with all of the lights and probably felt sad about its few strings of lights. 😄
That's adorable! ❤
yes! my lil guy cooed Go Go! so funny and wonderful.
Every November for 23 years I took my son to ornament shop. He was allowed to select five per year. When he moved out on his own, I gave him all the ornaments we collected over the years. Now they hang on his tree.🌲
Wonderful. He's still going to be talking about those ornaments long after your gone. Maybe to his kids. Maybe to grandkids. Blessing to you and your family.
My mother got us each an ornament every year while growing up. They were selected with our age and personalities in mind. She gave them to us after we moved out, and when they're hung on the tree you can see our progression growing up. 🙂
😭❤
What a nice tradition 😊
@@LaLayla99 same and we still get an ornament a year now that we are moved out
'Minimalists will stop at nothing'.
Unintentionally hilarious! Because yes, they will. Minimalists will remove everything, and when they get to 'nothing', they'll stop, satisfied. 😂
YES! Although I think it was intentional. Nick is far too clever to say that accidentally.
@@jm7804 same, that sounds like a super cheeky joke
I thought that was so funny 🤣
I’m gonna try the candle and tinsel trend 😍 it’s beautiful
TMI, I spit my coffee out of my nose when he said, "Minimalists will stop at nothing."
"First of all, you're so innocent and adorable and I love that for you" HAHAHAHAHA
😂😂😂
Followed by... *Butttt* 😂😂😂
That was golden😂
The way I raced to the comments for the jokes…
…? Help
Our first tree was the most beautiful. We were dirt poor. Made gingerbread people. Strung popcorn and cranberries, and added candy canes. Perfect!
We did that for years. The best memories ever.
Almost the same, but no gingerbread (we didn't have an oven). We made origami animals, because someone had given me the paper as a gift.
❤
That's heartwarming to read ❤
I like the look better than all the tinsil and super sparkly stuff, we'd use white string lights too. Never tried gingerbread but used cranberry and popcorn/candy canes. I don't set up my tree on the ground anymore because my dog would just eat the candy canes off the tree😂.
”your living room is engulfed in flames and that’s not fun for anybody”
🤣🤣🤣
Christmas spirit right there 🤣
your living room is engulfed in flames and your guests are too polite to comment 😭😭😭
In that case, the lights are on for real!
Chestnuts, couches and birth certificates roasting on an open fire...
"But.....BUTT."
My editor cut that joke and I made him put it back in.
@@Nick_Lewis A class act to plug your editor like that :D
@@CloaknDagger isn't it just?
There's a Christmas-themed statue in Rotterdam by the same artist, called Santa Clause. It has become fairly iconic and has inspired some interesting Christmas lights.
It's a good job that Nick plugged his thoughts about the Paris tree..
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂@@CloaknDagger
I remember in the late 1960's my brother had committed suicide at 19 and I was 16 it was a hard time. I wanted a black-flocked Christmas tree with gold decorations and white lights. Everyone thought my parents were nuts for going with my idea and I tell you everyone was amazed at how beautiful the tree was. I thank my parents for letting me be creative at a very hard time. Yes, there was a place that would flock your real tree in many color
(((❤)))
So glad to hear your parents went along with whatever mourning you had to do. Not all families are that tolerant. Living in So. California when my children were young I tried one year to convince them to have a different sort of "tree" since the routine Christmas trees were expensive. I suggested a multi-branched manzanita branch so we could enjoy our hand-made ornaments in a practical way, but the idea was not well received at all. On the other hand, I had a neighbor who had a tree made of shiny aluminum, and I confess I would rather go without any tree at all than have such a monstrosity in my living room. I guess it's all a matter of opinion and taste.
the overconsumption of it all is crazyyyy
When you start to think about all the stuff influencers buy for just Christmas decor on a wide scale…whoa
some industries must really love social media because I don’t think it was always like this
It’s not comparable to other forms of overconsumption because most people keep their decorations for years to come and put them up every year
@@gray_7I did buy my decorations all at once tho. We bought a few pieces each year right after Xmas, stuff just added up 😂
@@shashashasha4239 I still have ornaments stamped 'Made in DDR/GDR'. East Germany had a huge artisanal glass blowing industry. East Germany doesn't exist anymore...
Sadly these ornaments are starting to corrode on the inside. With at least 30 years behind them it's fine, but also sad.
There are literally tons of Christmas decorations at the antique shops so why buy them new?
PSA. Do not...DO NOT!!!! ... eat or drink ANYTHING while watching Nick's video's. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!! (my keyboard is a mess!)
I was eating a salad covered in sunflower seeds when Nick said the second "...but " 🤣
LOL
😂😂😂
Too late 😂😂😂
@@GenXHeart LMAO. I was like..."wait..hang on...😂" and then I noticed he couldn't look straight into the camera....OMG....I'm just beyond dead!!!
Those big inflatable decorations are bad enough, but when they don’t inflate during the day? Why?! Looks like an Christmas massacre
When the school buses drive by, all I can think of is the kids looking out the windows at the dead Santas and Rudolphs. 😢
It’s awful.
🤭🤭….. too funny
In my neighbourhood there's a house that has squeezed a semi deflated Santa and a polar bear on their porch. The first time I saw it I wasn't wearing glasses and thought Santa was 'mounting' the bear. Its HILARIOUS, but also....why did they think they needed those decorations?
a christmas massacre... i couldn't have said it better!😂
Nick Lewis Quote of the Week: (candles on Christmas trees) “I wouldn’t go to the bathroom with this thing coz you know you’re going to come back and your whole living room is engulfed in flames. That’s not fun for anybody”.
Very hard to pick best quote this week as there were so many strong contenders! Love your work as always. ♥♥♥
Lmao!!!! No way did he say this as I was reading your comment 😅
😂
My husband is German and they had the candles on the tree when he was a kid. But! The tree went up on like Christmas eve, was freshly cut and was only lit the one time.
My friend is Swiss and she lights the candles and her husband stands next to it with a fire extinguisher. We all sit and nervously say Oh how beautiful....
Exactly. To do this you also have to choose the correct tree--one that is whorled with wide spaces (about 12 inches or 30 cm) between the branches. Candles can stand, ornaments and tinsel can hang in the spaces. Today's Christmas tree farms usually don't prune them to grow that way. They are bushy and everything lies on the surface. Artificial trees are worse.
The type of fir is also important. A Douglas fir will go up like a torch in three weeks or less. And they are often kept on lots for months sometimes. Those are hazards with any type of lights. A freshly cut Noble, Balsam or Frasier fir will not ignite three or even four months later. They're still that green. I have held a butane lighter to the leaves to test them when I was worried about the condition of the tree.. (A small bit, held over the sink, of course. In case.) I haven't seen Kertzen (candles) lit on a tree often; however, there is nothing like it. More beautiful because the moment is so fleeting.
Do people remember reading about the Christmas fires that leave people homeless ?? Yeah, I know it's candles and cigarettes, but there might be some trees with candles involved too.
@@juliehanson1175 Years ago we had a real tree that dried out too fast; I took a sprig and lit it in the fireplace just to see what would happen. It burst into flames IMMEDIATELY and after that it is fake trees for us!
@@juliehanson1175 It's a very culture-specific thing to do and those who still maintain it take all sorts of precautions. But I found a few articles on the subject after a quick Google search. Too much to summarize.
As a young kid, we really didn't have a lot, but our parents scrimped and saved to give us kids a huge Christmas celebration. I remember saving the tinfoil from my Dad's cigarette packs and using it to make silver ornaments. My Mom just raved about my "beautiful" ornaments. Thanks for the nostalgia and the comments section for stirring up this memory. Ps, when I was a kid, cigarettes cost 26 cents a pack.
I remember doing this! You rubbed the wrapper with your finger nail to separate the foil from the paper. Haven't thought about that for 50 years. We wrapped the foil around segments from an egg carton to make silver bells.
@@MyFocusVaries Yes! Prettiest silver bells ever, and angels too! God bless 💖✝
My parents wrapped foil around gumballs that had dropped from a tree on their farm. I loved hearing their stories about life then.
I have a 4 year old. I have for many years identified as a minimalist person. But in the last year I am embracing the chaos. Does my house look like a preschool classroom? Yes. Is it filled with joy and love. Yes. It is a season that I am really enjoying.
Oh my. I’m just now pausing to take a breath from that silent laugh that takes so long to recover from. I’m 59, prepping for Thanksgiving in the kitchen, laughing along until we get to the tree in Paris. It looks silly, but i had absolutely no idea what it was, so I showed that part of the clip to my husband and 30 year old son. Now my son and husband are laughing hysterically because I’m that naive person you were referring too.
just in case husband & son aren't willing to explain, the shape is very reminiscent of...how to say this delicately? an...adult recreational object designed to be placed inside the back door.
@@aShadeBoldernicely said 😊
Butt Paris is really plugging that tree.......
lmao! I was dead
The toys weren't UNDER the tree that year.
Omg!!! I can't!! That's all I see, and it's not just the inflatable ones!! Target sells the small glass/porcelain ones for interior decorations too, and I can't walk past the aisle without giggling!! 😂😂😂
Ohhhhhh 😮 66 yr old here. Would never have known lol
The Santa Clause sculpture in Rotterdam must be missing a toy - the same artist is responsible
You are in rare form on this one! I was dying! As soon as I saw the Paris "tree" headed right to the comments. Did not disappoint!
We lived on an Air Force base in Germany many years ago. We loved walking around the housing area just before Christmas. People who were used to living in a house, were now in apartments with small balconies. They would put the same outdoors displays from their house onto the balcony. We loved how over the top it all was.
@@nettie607 We lived “on the economy” in Pruem Germany over 50 yrs ago when my new husband was in the AF. Shopping at the PX I found a wax head / hands Germany tree top angel just like my mom had. It’s not Christmas until my beautiful vintage angel graces the tree ! Oh the memories 🩷
Germany and France know Xmas decor
"We all sat around and watched the tree, it didn't go up in flames which is a miracle, that's a Christmas miracle right then..." Nick I've had a horrible day and this had me crying laughing. I mean seriously all someone has to do is breathe hard near it and whooosh! Also the minimalist nativity scene, I mean c'mon. 😂 Been watching your channel for a good while now, first time I've commented, thanks so much for making my day brighter without even knowing it.
Awww thanks for watching and I hope your day gets better!
@@Nick_Lewis Thank you it did!
The in-laws rented a condo on the beach for Christmas and we went ahead of time and put up a tree for them. Instead of buying ornaments, we collected a bunch of shells that had a single hole from the beach and tied a red or green ribbon. A few of the Less Pretty shells we covered in glitter… for under $10 we were able to decorate the whole tree (we used ribbon as garland)… and while it definitely had a theme, it was less of a “beach” theme and more of a “use what your natural environment provides”. It was subtle and pretty
Sounds like blast plus it made a great memory 😊
💛
This sounds like it was authentic! Beach condo, real shells, simple and natural. I think there's a recurring theme across pretty much all the interior design advice, that fake is gonna look tacky. Take that shell decorated tree into the middle of suburbia and it wouldn't work!
I grew up near a beach, and one year we had paper chains and seashells on the tree! The seashells was a clever strategy from my parents, we went to the beach to collect them and had to find ones with holes in them already to put the string through. It took ages.
Later I remembered that cellotape exists 😄
I grew up with tinsel on the tree, and it was beautiful. We didn’t have candles, we had lightbulbs, the big ones. My father talked about having candles on the tree 🌲, and they lit them for a brief time, bucket of water at the ready.
Nick - This video reminded me of something a friend told me about her mother, wow - maybe 30 years' ago? Her mother lined the floor and walls of one corner of their somewhat-finished basement with tin foil - then sat the tree on the tin foil - so that the floor and walls would reflect the lights. Well, guess what. The plug for the lights was behind the foil and, yes, she went to plug in the lights THROUGH the foil as she stood on the foil on the floor...and was blown across the room. Fortunately, she lived...and without disability. You can't make this sh** up.
I believe it! When I was a toddler, I was electrocuted by the Christmas tree. My dad told the story, that it was a silver and blue tinsel tree (1960's ). They figured part the aluminum tinsel "needles" got caught in the socket of a light, and then I grabbed it trying walk around the tree.
through the foil??? I can only imagine expecting a cute *ponk* from the plug popping through the foil. well.. not only from the foil, it seems. I'm sorry, dark humour. I'm truly glad she was okay. but holy crap whatttt
@@n.normal1565 unfinished basement in the 90s, probably no circuit breaker connection... idk much about faulty wiring but sounds plausible if your luck ran low that day. yikes.
😂🤣😂 Hilarious! Glad she was okay. 🤣😂😂😝
How did she even come up with this idea?? 😂 glad it’s just a funny anecdote though and nothing bad happened, lol
"If i have to read, you didnt do it right" 😂
Love your comments on signs
Nick's mum is clearly awesome. It sounds like Christmas with her would be super fun.
"Don't feel bad about your little sad string of lights." 🤣 Nick, the videos where you critique Christmas decor are my favs. Keep 'em coming.
"You only get one inflatable, and that inflatable should be no bigger than a person. And even then..... you shouldn't have one." 😂😂😂😂 Took the words out of my mouth! 😂🤣
Omg I live in THAT Christmas light neighborhood and I hate it so much!! It draws crowds from all over the city and adds about 25 minutes to my commute home from work for the month of December. On one hand I understand wanting a free Christmas activity for families, on the other hand the traffic has turned me into the Grinch.
Oh goodness, they really ought to be required to disclose those areas when folks buy a house so you know what you're getting yourself into and can make an informed choice!
@kh628 yes! Thankfully I'm still renting so when I do find a house to buy, it's definitely going to be something to think about while shopping.
If only there were a way to see lights that didn't involve a slow drive in a car. Like... maybe a walk?
@@vf1923 nooo that would be too smart and practical and nice
Well walking might work in an area where it doesn't snow but if it does in your area, people often don't shovel their sidewalks, just their personal walk ways. I know where I live you straight up can not safely walk places in the winter, even suburb streets
As for the candles: there are really nice flickering led-candles for christmass trees. You get the flame effect without a fire hazard and cordlessness is a huge plus.
Us with kiddos and animals get it. He couldn’t understand the things that will make us jolt out of bed at night lol freaking out if we turned the over off or if the kids are alive.
I love noticing the little details that change in your living room each week in your videos, seeing how it slowly becomes more “Nick.”
The minimalist nativity scenes made me laugh out loud. I loved them.
"Inflatables as decor is never a good idea". Love this truth.
@susieinthesouth1931 It just says Macy's Day Parade
There's a neighborhood near us that has amazing xmas displays in every yard, and they collect canned food for needy families, which is lovely.
Okay Nick I got to say it, that standing light in the background reminds me of a hair dryer from Betty's Beauty Barn!... but if you like it that's all that matters😅
haha I see it!
@@Nick_Lewis oh no, you may never stop seeing it like me😁✌️❤️
😂
THAT’S what it reminds me of! Thanks, couldn’t put my finger on it. Now, if I could only figure out where I’ve seen that Parisian Christmas tree…
Oh my! I just said I love the lamp!
I love love love the extreme lengths people go to to fill their house with Christmas. I see a lot of people on here say it’s tacky but if you go to someone’s house with every hall decked in holly and you don’t smile, there’s something wrong with you.
There's something wrong with me. I grew up with that crap, and I absolutely want to barf all over it.
The butt plug tree was hilarious
I tried to have a play on words... you just SAID IT!😂
How on earth did that get past approvals?!
@ butt isn’t offensive? 😂
@@ninaelle2003people who have to approve are on the same page … Poor Paris !
@@ninaelle2003 It seems MANY people bent over backwards to get it installed 😂
As a Dane, I'm going to defend putting candles on a tree!
We light them on Christmas Eve, then we walk around the tree and sing songs. It's a Danish (and probably general Scandinavian) tradition! It's very cozy! Then, after we are done singing, we sit around the tree and open presents. When all is done, the candles are blown out because, of course, you don't leave fire alone and unsupervised!
Sidenote: We usually buy our tree a week or a few days before Christmas. That kind of tree doesn't burn well and is easy to put out!
I agree with you on the inflatables, with one exception: our lousy neighbour. With her year-round behaviour, our nasty neighbour clearly despises a particular portion of the population. So, just for her during the holiday season, we set up a giant inflatable Menorah facing her home in our backyard. To our surprise, other neighbours adjacent to her are setting up giant inflatable rainbows and dreidels this year. A little holiday cheer for everyone! 🎄🌈🕎
Oh, that's the best passive-aggressive middle finger you can give to crappy people, lol. The legal kind! 😂
The old Russian proverb says that 'The jew will always tell you what happend to him, but he wont tell you why.'
You're making me so glad I live where I do.
Oh you are PETTY!!!! Please don't ever stop!!!!!
I support this.
My husband and kids love to put the xmas lights up outside. They have chosen all different colours and design. It's so sweet and I'm so lucky that I have a family that love spending time together like that. To this day, I don't have the heart to tell them how ugly and tacky the lights look. It brings them so much joy, how can I say anything?!
If they read these comments . . .
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way .”
Its 38 degrees C where I am in Australia today (and yesterday), Santa has two options: board shorts or no pants 😂
fellow Australian, was just about to post this very thing 🙂
Same in Hawaii
I updated my comment to add this tidbit. So hot! I’m hiding in the aircon…
Floridian here, board shorts, with sleigh drawn by flamingo or riding a Harley.
With the new led micro lights, very little power is being used. Ever with the whole neighborhood being lit up, probably not a big power pull. Not like AC in Arizona
Faithful subscriber here. Having a rough time lately and this is just what I needed Thank you Nick for always being the best you!! ❤
Seriously, you cannot unsee Paris’s butt of all jokes. 🤣🤣🤣
In support of coastal-themed trees (full disclosure: I live in Hawaii), why should we all be expected to decorate for Christmas as if we all live in New England? Is that not a theme? We live in the tropics in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Why not decorate with shells and ocean colors? Or, ...some of the most beautiful trees I've ever seen were done up in bright tropical flowers! Gorgeous! Shells and flowers themes can be done with beauty and class, too. Embrace it. Merry Christmas and Aloha to all! 😊
Love and fully agree with your stance on this! I think the location of where you're at makes a huge difference in the local decor style. I'm in Michigan and people here love the beach aesthetic for both Christmas and the rest of the year. In Michigan it's less tropical beach and more of a fresh water aesthetic, if that makes any sense lol. Its not my personal taste but I see the appeal for people who's identity are so tied to their environment
My husband served in Hawaii for 8 years and Guam for 5. Now he's retired and we live in New England! We still use his Polynesian fish and seashell ornaments on our Christmas tree every year. We still decorate the trees outside. Granted their legit new england trees now but the sentiment is still there from decorating the palm trees. Melekalikimaka! Aloha
For sure! We add some sort of beach themed stuff to our tree b/c we bought the ornaments at our favorite beach--supporting the local artists and adding items to our tree that are meaningful for us. What you're describing sounds reallu lovely
@@barbarianveeThank you. I love that you support local artists!! And memories! Yes, yes! I wish I could figure how to send a pic of the tree. It actually turned out quite elegant. Mele Kalikimaka
I'm glad we're finally addressing how odd nutcrackers are with those gaping mouths and dead eyes. Between nutcrackers and the Elf on the Shelf which I'm sorry looks like it's waiting for you to drift off so it can steal your kidneys, I feel like Christmas has Halloween beat hands-down for most terrifying decor.
Stealing livers!!!😂😂😂 perfect description
Snoop Dogg has his own Christmas spy: Snoop On the Stoop. Not a joke.
It's worse than Halloween because it feels like gaslighting. Halloween, if something is creepy we can all agree it's creepy and is meant to be that way. Christmas it's all "oh, these are CUTE and WHOLESOME décor items!" as those terrifying uncanny valley humanoid things are put up everywhere 😱
I love them but it’s mostly because I adore the ballet so much!
The elf on the shelf is so creepy! Not the looks, the whole concept of telling kids they have a stalker that sees everything!
My entire house buying chain collapsed on Tuesday, just as we were ready to sign contracts. I have a heart condition and the stress put me in hospital. Thanks for the laughs today Nick, I needed them.
Awwww, Helen. I hope it all works out and you can feel better soon. Buying a house is a freaking nightmare. I bought one and am dying in it. LOL Happy Holidays!
@@cattastroficka196 I bought 8 homes and now I am 70. I am done!
I have ornaments on my tree that are over 100 years old and have the history to go with them. Some hung on my mother's first tree and some on my grandparents' first tree as a married couple. Some came from Germany with my father's grandfather. No matter how ratty looking, they are put on the tree every year. When we take the ornaments out and again when they are wrapped up, I tell the stories to my son so he will have those stories to pass on to his children. Each special ornament has its story.
Christmas for us is all about tradition, not theme. I'll admit, my tree has more than its fair share of bird and bell ornaments with some of the bells being 100+ years old.
18:55 we do this in our family. Here, in Hungary, we usually decorate the tree on Christmas Eve (in secret, if you have little kids) light candles, sing, give presents and BLOW OUT THE CANDLES. Yes, you're right. You cannot leave the tree unsupervised. (As the firefighter say, who are ALWAYS busy on Christmas Eve).
Us too here in Germany. My parents did that when we were young and they still did that when my nephews went through their rowdy phase. I still do that too. Inside the tree we have small lights that are continuously on and the candles are only lit up in the evening when you sit in the living room. Kids know they have to be careful around candles and there are measurements where and how to put the candles on the tree to prevent them becoming a fire hazard. A lot of friends and family here in Germany have real candles. The Canadian part of the family doesn‘t have them. It seems to be a European thing ;)
@NickLewis Thank you so much! My family has had a rough few days with losing a relative and another one having a very close call, and this video made me laugh until there were tears rolling down my face. Thanks again for making us laugh. Have a wonderful holiday season!
❤
🫂💟
Omg, tinsel is a must have. It moves in the air and reflects the lights. Trees are elevated to special wit tinsel.
The artist who designed the Paris "tree" had to be trolling. The design was too perfect.
yeah the artist was definitely aiming to cause a bit of chaos 😂
I know nothing about b*tt pl*gs but I'm guessing this is a learning moment ...
It’s Paris, of course they were trolling.
Butt after the Summer Olympics, its right on brand.
I remember piling into the car in our pajamas, driving around in the snowy Michigan winters, just to go to THAT neighborhood. It was part of the magic of Christmas. 🥰
“I Love That For You”, “I Love That For Her”…, the best backhanded compliment ever of 2023, 2024, & probably 2025.
Thumbs up for this!
I love how you have your own style and you express your likes and dislikes but still understand that Christmas is elegant and beautiful and tacky and campy and homemade and over the top and minimalist. Its all of these things! And on some level we all can appreciate all of it.
You went to Hawaii without us? Wow, okay.
I'm German, and I don't know anyone who decorates their Christmas tree as lavishly as Americans do. Most people here, myself included, have rather subtle decorations compared to Americans (but unfortunately more and more people are becoming 'Americanized', especially when it comes to outdoor decorations). I would love to use real candles, but I can't because of my dogs, I have battery candles instead.
Oh I don't know - I have quite a few blown glass German decorations- Tiny teapots and coffeepots, and pine cones, and birds with glass fibre tails, and all those German Christmas fairs!
however, in general I think they are probably less glitzy and maybe more traditional than what Americans do.
I don't decorate for Christmas anymore. Just cause it doesn't feel like christmas since my parents and sister live abroad now.
I used to go in the woods with my parents and sister to get a real tree. It was never as full as other people's thicc and lucious trees (my friends would actually make fun of it) but I legit loved our silly little tree. Each year it was the memory of going in the woods to find THE BEST tree with my family. Decorate it and celebrate the 4 of us.
@@ademers03 Years ago I decided to “ do Christmas “ for my own enjoyment. Make new memories, start new traditions for Yourself ! Maybe go to a Christmas tree lot and buy a beautiful tree for a family shopping for one ??? Buy hot cocoa for someone living on the street. Drop a $20 bill in front of a needy person - pay for the groceries of somebody else in line. And go to your local library and ask the children’s librarian for a copy of “Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect, “ by Richard Schneider. I am wishing you joy this Christmas season.
💛❤️
@ademers03 I have a memory of walking in the woods with my dad to find a tree. The one I wanted first, he joked that we would have to cut a hole in our roof :D, but the one we did bring home was still so lovely. I am glad we did that together.
I am that house with the inflatables. I do it for Halloween and Christmas because its so grey up here in the PNW and I neeeeeeed some color.. My son absolutely loved inflatables when he was alive and everytime I light an inflatable up it reminds me of how happy he was.. 😭💔
Well then I think Nick will give you a free pass. Condolences
💛💔♥️
You definitely get a free pass to have inflatables! Sending hugs your way! ❤️
PNW?
PNW=Pacific NorthWest. Oregon and Washington are known for our rain. I love it, but light and color this time of year are essential.
My favorite ornaments are the ones I handmade with my Nana, Mom, siblings, and eventually my own kids. Without the emotional connection, someone would say they are “tacky.” But that opinion is irrelevant to me, as those ornaments bring back the sweetest memories. THAT is what the Santa season, for me, is all about, especially as I am now the eldest generation in my family.
Agreed. He's just trying to help with the esthetics of it. But at the end of the day, a house/apartment/condo/tent is YOUR home...You do You!!! 👍
“I hope they’re in an assembly line saying … what the hell is this?” 🤣🤣 that has forever changed the way I look at board short Santa’s … and I live in Myrtle Beach SC… so there are A LOT of those ridiculous things!🤣🤣
When the candles were lit on the tree all I could think of was that scene from Christmas Vacation when uncle Lewis lit the tree on fire…I was waiting for the big poof 😆.
Lewis! My tree! What’d you do to my tree?!?
@ this has to be probably my favorite Christmas movie!
Yes !!!!
I love that movie! Will be visiting my parents and watching it this weekend 😊 we quote it all the time
Someone else’s junk is someone else’s treasure. Taste is subjective.
Best part of vid… watching Nick’s facial expression 😂
7:18 If Taylow Swift can fly 20 miles, I can take Sunday drives.
Nick, there is a house in our area that just has a lighted arrow pointing to it’s highly decorated, music station connected neighbor’s house.
The arrow in our town reads “DITTO” 😂
The woman who lived next to my aunt (who had an above average amount of lights but not like causes traffic problem amounts or anything) would put up a sign with an arrow pointing at her house that said "Jesus is the reason for the season not this". She was about as shitty of a neighbour as that the rest of the year though so not totally unexpected lol.
“Minimalists will stop at nothing”. How can you be so literal and so hysterical at the same time … laughed out loud several times and that’s not usually me. Thanks big bunches 💛
We do cheesy Christmas decorations because our children love them, which happens because we taught them to love the things we loved as children. The very goofiness of the outdoor decor is part of the family vibe. My adult children just took me to see the lights at the Houston zoo - priceless.
That over the top colorfully decorated pretty sparse "tree" was freaking Nick out. 😂 It looked like his eyes were actually hurting 😮
One year we couldn’t afford a Christmas tree (it’s ridiculous expensive in Puerto Rico) and my mom gathered some branches, sprayed them white, put some lights and decorations and Wahla! She felt bad about it and yet it was a Christmas I will always remember.
Wahla???
@@WinstonSmithGPTlots of people don’t understand that Voila is a real French word 🫢
I have a friend with a minimalist nativity and it's so funny because he's a maximalist in so many other ways. The first year he put it on display, I couldn't figure out why I why wanted to cry laughing. Thanks to Nick for sorting it all out for me!
I only have a tree. I don’t mess with all the other decorations, I hate putting them away. But I kind of have a theme with my tree. Every country I visit I get an ornament, so I have a travel tree. I like pulling out the ornaments and remembering the wonderful memories.
Over the decades , a family friend collected ornaments like that too & his two adult kids inherited his beautiful , special collection . ❤
I can listen to this dude on my coffee break, and feel completely socially recharged.
That's an good thing.
I think you would regret to see more detail on the Parisian tree. 🤣💩😱
😂😂😂
Christmas is first for the kids. My husband puts up inflatables, flashing lights etc, in as tasteful a way as possible, and the neighbourhood kids come and just stare at everything in delight. He gets happiness from their joy.
Viewer from Boston here- I’m not sure what I love more- your style or your sarcasm. Thanks for the inspiration and the laughs!
That Santa inflatable was kind of frightening, methinks. Thanks for making me smile!
“The planet understands” Love your seasonal snark! 🤓
Thanks!
Pausing from the beginning real quick to say that is STILL my favorite sweater! The marbled raspberry is an excellent color for you! (At least, that's the way the color appears on my phone)
Yes, I really enjoyed this video. This is the first time I’ve laughed out loud since the election.
1st time I laughed out loud since my husband died 2 months ago!
I don't like inflatable couches either but I am thinking if I ever see one at a thrift store I might buy it just to see the look on my cat's face the first time she starts clawing it.
😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 please film and post that!!
I’ve made it very clear to my family if anyone brings home an inflatable decoration for any season it will get shived in the middle of the night. The decoration, not the family member. Probably.
Growing up we had real candles on our tree. We had no tinsel! We only lit it up once and we lit it after dinner and blew them out while we were opening presents. My grandmother was European and it was for her.
Growing up, my mom bought those late-60’s to mid 70’s satin-silk spun balls for our Christmas tree…because “they were on the shelf” and she just grabbed them. My dad hated them so much, when the tree got dismantled, he took them off, and just threw them in the box with the hooks still on them… then would shake the box before they were put in the attic… causing the hooks to get caught and tangled into the balls next to them.. did the same thing the following Christmas coming down from the attic… my mom opened the boxes, and the ornaments were all tangled and ratty looking! Ahhh! The memories! 😂😂😂
I love watching your home evolve! Every video sees a bit more. I assume you are so very busy in your real life so thank you for carving out time for us. Happy holidays and hope you are truly happy with all the changes this year brought. 😘
“Lightbulbs now are really good” 😂 love your sense of humor. Tinsel and an open flame just do not go together 🚫♨️
Please nobody explain the Paris Christmas tree! I love the idea that someone out there is so innocent and I don't want to ruin that!
I read what its called (in the comments), but I still don't get it.
@@pienana2004It is Google-able.
@@pienana2004 That's good. 🙂
@@pienana2004 Me neither. I'm 63 going on 6 and don't think I want to know.
@@dameazize I’m 74. I guess I’ll pass.
My neighbors from a few years ago had an inflatable pig with wings, and a Micky Minnie pair that they’d put out for Thanksgiving and Christmas 😂 It was quirky and confusing and kinda charming
Reminds me of early 1990s when people filled orange "jack-o-lanterns" bags with leaves. A friend had a visitor from Denmark asking why everyone left garbage bags on their lawns
😂😂😂
I almost spit out my coffee when I saw the mushroom ornaments. I never knew that was a thing. You are wonderful! Just subscribed😊
Where do people store all that stuff ?!?
Garage and attic.
I won't be surprised if some use storage units
Nick, good on you giving a plug to all the innocent people's out there!!!
SMH. My sides are beyond sore laughing!! Dead. Dead. Dead...I am!!! 🤣🤣🤣🌲
IDC how ANYONE decorates atleast people are trying! Appreciate those who do spread the cheer
I realized my rustic lifestyle in Canada makes for ideal Christmas ambience. Decorations and tree are fresh every year; there are fir, cedar and pine trees within feet of my cabin and when it snows everything looks like perfect Scandi Holidays no matter what I do!
Tampons can be turned into the cutest tree angels imaginable!
👀
That's creepy
Thank you, Sir! The eyeroll at 5:10 is everything! 😆 "Inflatable as decor is *never* a good idea." - Nick Lewis, 2024
Live lights on a real tree is magical - it´s a once a year special, christmas night, true spirit of christmas.... It's not about decor or style, it´s the 15 minutes where children find out that christmas is more than themselves...
You're delightful and funny, Nick. Thanks for making these videos. :)