Presenting our 2024 Christmas Tree Contest Winner!

After a nationwide call for tree submissions and a community vote on the finalists, this coastal charmer took the crown.

- WRITTEN, STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JANICE BENOIT

We asked our 5th annual Christmas tree contest winner, Janice Benoit, to share how she decorates her tree each year, what inspires her color and style choices and what recommendations she has for creating a holiday showstopper.

Growing up,

Christmas decorating always began the weekend after Thanksgiving, and I couldn't wait. It's only in the past few years that I've decided to break with tradition so that I can take my time and enjoy the season a bit longer. Decking the halls now begins the first of November and I immerse myself in the warm glow of twinkling lights and cozy clutter.

My tree of choice has been a lifelike faux tree. The options available are not only beautiful, but incredibly realistic, and who doesn't love an easy-to-popup, flocked, pre-lit tree! I like to pay homage to my love of all things coastal at Christmas, preferring my color scheme to blend with what is already here. I gravitate toward ivory and the blue-green hues of the ocean and add sparkle and shine with silver and champagne and, of course, lots of twinkle lights to mimic the golden glow of sunset. Most years, a simple starfish is my tree topper.