Oh Christmas Trees!

The holidays may officially be over, but with so many festive activities around the Indianapolis area, we just couldn’t fit them all in!

So after the presents were all unwrapped, we took one last holiday excursion to the Indiana Historical Society to check out the Festival of Trees.

 

Over the past few years, the Festival of Trees has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. Even though we didn’t make it before Christmas, we still enjoyed this holiday feast for the eyes.

And it helped our holiday spirit linger just a bit longer.

While I have been known to decorate more than 1 Christmas tree at my house, the Indiana Historical Society went all out this year with 80 fabulously festive trees!

Presented by The Salvation Army, this holiday display allows local businesses and organizations to each decorate a tree with their own unique theme.

Visitors then get to vote for their 3 favorite trees. With so many creative and over the top trees, it is not an easy decision!

Trees That Make You Go YUM!

One of my favorites this year was the Jack’s Donut tree. What’s not to love about a tree covered in donuts and bacon!

Every baker would love the Bunny Bread tree, covered in baking utensils and loaves of this popular grocery staple. One of the most unique trees this year was the Giordano’s Pizza tree. I’m not sure this one gave me the Christmas feels, but it did get my stomach growling!

Thirsty Trees

There were also plenty of trees dedicated to quenching your thirst. This mom loves a good glass of holiday wine, so I appreciated the elegance of this Kendall-Jackson tree.

And it’s not the holidays without a glass of bubbly. This champagne themed tree got my vote for best tree topper.

And Italians know the best way to digest your holiday feast is with a glass of limoncello.

Definitely at the top of my favorites list this year was the upside-down tree. There is lots of room at the bar under this festive tree by Payless Liquors, and plenty of holiday spirits for the whole family.

Trees for the Kids

But Christmas is for the kids too, and there were plenty of trees designed to bring out the kid in all of us.  This Polar Express themed tree by Sullivan Hardware would delight any train enthusiast.

In elegant white and pink, this glowing tree from Riley Hospital for Children reminds us of the important message of hope during the holidays and throughout the year.

The At Home tree gives you the chance to sit for a spell and really soak in the deliciousness of this gorgeous gingerbread themed tree.

The Dance Refinery’s exquisite tree definitely inspires visions of sugar plum fairies and may have you yearning for a front-row seat at the ballet.

While not quite as sentimental as dear old mom, my daughters both felt a strong connection to the Day Nursery tree. They may be teenagers now, but they still have fond memories of attending this daycare and recalled the time they made some of the same handmade creations hanging on this precious tree.

Nostalgic Trees

The nostalgia continued with this ode to famous Hoosiers. James Dean, Gus Grissom, Axl Rose, and Janet Jackson are just some of the Indiana legends featured.

Dreaming of a homespun holiday, this tree from the Mass Ave. Knit shop is a crafter’s delight.

This Civil War era tree both educates and inspires as we are reminded of the challenges our Hoosier ancestors faced.

More homespun holiday fun adorned this Old Fashioned Christmas tree. While my mom missed this outing as she dealt with our least favorite holiday tradition (the stomach flu!), I know this crafty tree would have received her high praise.

This adorable button tree was another one for all the crafters to love. Any guesses as to how many buttons adorn this evergreen?

Sports Themed Trees

If sports are more your thing, there were plenty of trees to get your competitive juices flowing. The Indiana Pacers’ tree reminded us that basketball is woven into the culture of our state.

If golf is more your speed, the Top Golf tree provides plenty of inspiration to knock a few points off your game.

This blue tree will have everyone screaming Go Colts! And dreaming of a winning season.

And Butler’s mascot, Blue, and their Happy Howlidays tree will remind you of holiday fun with your 4-legged family members.

Not Exactly Trees

Not all the trees followed Christmas tradition when it came to colors or ornaments, and some weren’t even trees. But these creative masterpieces definitely caught my attention.

One of the most unique and beautiful of the “trees” was this aquatic creation from the Indianapolis Zoo.

My brother really enjoyed this sparkling Menorah, highlighting the Jewish tradition of the Festival of Lights.

Even the Grinch loved this towering balloon tree straight out of Whoville.

If motorcycles are your thing, this chrome creation would make for a memorable centerpiece for your holiday festivities.

And this tree created with chairs would be perfect for just about any office holiday party!

I love a good Christmas love story, so this tree made of books was a hit with me.

The holidays are all about family, old and new, and this photo tree combined both a modern and old fashioned feel.

Strange Trees

For those who just can’t wait to put up the Christmas tree until November, this Halloween themed tree is for you!

Who says red and green are the only colors for Christmas? This black and white tree definitely stood out from the pack and had a charm all its own.

If you enjoy binging on Stranger Things, you would love this tree inspired by the popular Netflix series. Complete with several boxes of Eggos at its base.

Classic Christmas

Whether you have some Irish blood in your lineage or not, this classic green and silver creation would look spectacular in just about any living room.

Beyond the Trees

The trees were awe-inspiring, but there is much to appreciate beyond the trees at the Indiana Historical Society.

While checking out the trees, we also had to stop for a family photo op with the famous leg lamp.

“A Christmas Story” was co-written and narrated by Jean Shepard, who grew up in Hammond, Indiana. So if you are looking for your own leg lamp, just check out the gift shop at the Indiana Historical Society.

Of course, the Indiana Historical Society also has many intriguing exhibits that delight and educate visitors throughout the year.

Sports fans will want to check out the current exhibit on the history of the Indianapolis Colts. Complete with interactive games, perfect for the armchair quarterback.

One of my favorite attractions is the You Are There exhibits. After a brief introduction to the setting, you step through a foggy screen and back in time.

Here you can interact with people from eras gone by and learn firsthand what it was like to live in the Hoosier state during key times in history.

All music lovers should plan to spend a little time in the Cole Porter room. Enjoy the music of this famous Hoosier musician as you relax and reminisce about simpler times.

Time for a Tasty Treat!

We couldn’t make a trip to downtown Indy without partaking in another one of our favorite holiday traditions just a few blocks away.

Hot chocolate at South Bend Chocolate Company on Monument Circle.

No need to wait until next Christmas. This hot chocolate is yummy all year long!

But you will have to wait about 11 months for the next Festival of Trees. (Mark your calendar now!) However, don’t let that stop you from making a trip to the Indiana Historical Society soon to brush up on Hoosier History.

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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