Shea McGee Incorporates Hydrangeas Into Her Christmas Tree & We're Obsessed

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When you picture a Christmas tree, there's a list of classic decorations that will always run through your mind — glittery ornaments and twinkling lights, festive bows, ribbon, and garland, and charming tree toppers, to name a few. But it doesn't have to stop there. In fact, there are plenty of unexpected elements you can use to elevate your Christmas tree decor — and interior designer Shea McGee has just given us the brilliant idea of weaving in floral elements. In a recent Instagram post, Netflix's "Dream Home Makeover" star shared a behind-the-scenes look at her family's holiday decorations, which included a beautifully decorated Christmas tree featuring warm brown, tan, and cream-colored baubles, dried orange slices, and clip-on LED candlesticks. The detail that really stuck out as the shining star, however, were the dried hydrangeas that she thoughtfully incorporated into the tree.

Fans loved the floral touch, too, with one person commenting, "What a dream ... loving the hydrangeas," while another described the them as "a unique touch." And what makes the decorative addition even more special is knowing that the flowers came from her own garden. McGee has previously shared that she grows limelight hydrangeas at her home in Salt Lake City, and in her holiday home tour on YouTube, she shared her excitement about getting to appreciate them in the winter, too. "They bring me so much joy in the summer and now they're going to bring me joy through the holiday season," she said. And thanks to the showstopping variety of hydrangea flowers, there's no reason you can't make this look work with your holiday decor, too.

If you're a fan of Shea McGee's hydrangea-filled Christmas tree, it's luckily quite simple to recreate in your home. And don't worry if you don't grow your own hydrangeas — you can easily head to your local garden center and pick up some fresh stems to dry yourself. There are two easy methods you can try at home: You can either dry them in a vase by placing them in about two-inches of water and leaving them until the water has completely dried up, or you can hang them upside down on a piece of string or clothesline. Drying them in a vase typically takes about a week while the upside-down method can sometimes happen as quickly as a couple of days. 

The one downside of dried hydrangeas is the petals can be quite delicate and are prone to shedding. To help reduce shedding, try giving the blooms a light dusting of hairspray for for a little extra durability. Or, to avoid any mess altogether, try artificial dried hydrangeas — these Ttranewsoo Fake Hydrangea Silk Flowers have been described by many reviewers as looking "realistic."  Of course, if hydrangeas aren't your favorite, but you like the idea of tucking flowers into your Christmas tree, there are plenty of beautiful winter blooms that you could choose instead, including poinsettias and roses. And you don't have to stop at the tree — consider continuing the floral theme throughout your holiday decor by incorporating dried hydrangeas into wreaths, garlands, and tablescapes.