Trees just make me happy: Holst finds a meaningful way to decorate for Christmas
Amy Holst loves Christmas trees. In fact, there are nearly 30—in varying sizes and styles—in the farmhouse she and her husband and two sons live in outside Elkader. This tree is one of her favorites. Located in the kitchen, it features ornaments her husband Steve has given her every year since 1996. (Submitted photos)
The ornaments aren’t the only meaningful aspects behind the Holsts’ trees. Most sit in older containers, such as a wooden crate, crock or galvanized pail. Old quilts are often tucked around the tree bases. “I love mixing the old with the new,” Amy said, “so when I get a new tree, I try to find a way to incorporate something old on the bottom.” See more on her Fawn Hollow Farmhouse Facebook and Instagram pages.
The home’s second living room contains a flocked balsam fir. “It was so breathtaking,” noted Amy, “that I didn’t even put any ornaments on it.”
“I decorated like Nov. 14 and 15,” Amy said. “I would’ve done it in October if I could have, but I don’t know if my family would allow that.” “I just want to enjoy the trees as long as I can,” she added.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who loves Christmas trees more than Amy Holst.
“Trees just make me happy,” Amy said.
In fact, there are nearly 30—in varying sizes and styles—in the farmhouse she and her husband and two sons live in outside Elkader.
The best part, Amy said: “They all have meaning.”
One of the most sentimental is the tree in her kitchen. It was Amy’s first tree and features ornaments her husband Steve has given her every year since 1996.
“They all signify things we’ve done—a new baby, a trip, a new house,” she shared.
There are also Santas and candy canes and other Christmas classics.
Another tree, in what Amy called the man cave, includes north woods ornaments that fit the wildlife and outdoorsy feel of the space.
“They represent my husband and boys,” she quipped.
In the game room, there’s a “Charlie Brown tree” with colorful, big bulbs and her kids’ handmade ornaments.
“It’s their life from newborn to today,” said Amy, whose sons are 11 and 14.
The home’s second living room contains a flocked balsam fir.
“It was so breathtaking,” noted Amy, “that I didn’t even put any ornaments on it.”
Each of the family members’ bedrooms also has a tree. The one in Steve and Amy’s is a white tree she said signifies peacefulness.
In one son’s room is a tree that was gifted to the family four years ago, when her husband was in the hospital over Christmas. Amy said they hadn’t planned to keep it, but her son became so emotionally attached that the tree is now a fixture in their home.
“He fills it with whatever makes him happy—tractors, hunting, sports,” she explained.
Her other son’s bedroom tree follows the same concept.
The ornaments aren’t the only meaningful aspects behind the Holsts’ trees. Most sit in older containers, such as a wooden crate, crock or galvanized pail. Old quilts are often tucked around the tree bases.
“I love mixing the old with the new,” she said, “so when I get a new tree, I try to find a way to incorporate something old on the bottom.”
She likes that the pieces all have stories behind them, and doesn’t care if there’s a nick or a dent.
“You can usually get them for a deal,” she remarked. “If a crock has a crack, just turn it so you don’t see it. If a quilt is torn, you can tuck that part under.”
Amy loves to repurpose items. Since moving in last year, she and Steve have been updating their historic farmhouse.
“We’re making it more modern, but also trying to keep the history,” she said.
Amy shares the journey on her Fawn Hollow Farmhouse Facebook and Instagram pages.
While combing through magazines and browsing Pinterest triggers ideas, she said Instagram is where she finds much of her inspiration. Amy also loves junking, hitting up auctions, garage sales and the Facebook marketplace or buy, sell or trade pages. She searches out unique stores both locally and farther afield, as well.
“Northeast Iowa has a ton of cool places to pick up odds and ends,” she shared.
Living on an acreage, Amy said she’s lucky to have a place to store items.
“I like to hang on to staple items,” she remarked. “Don’t be a hoarder, but if you find something cool, keep it. It will come back.”
When it comes to Christmas tree decorating tips, Amy stressed the importance of measuring the tree’s base before buying a bucket, basket or other container for it.
“Know the circumference so it will fit in there,” she warned.
Another key to decorating: large rolls of cellophane.
“I wrap the trees so I never have to take the ornaments off,” Amy said.
Although there are some hindrances to that plan, such as a string of burnt out lights that requires the whole tree to be taken apart and redecorated, it makes decorating more efficient.
“I’ve gotten so I can put the trees all up, then take them down, in one day,” Amy said.
She added that her family is supportive of her efforts, and her youngest enjoys helping with the trees. For their sakes, though, she held off on decorating too early this year.
“I decorated like Nov. 14 and 15,” Amy said. “I would’ve done it in October if I could have, but I don’t know if my family would allow that.”
“I just want to enjoy the trees as long as I can,” she added.
