I love to decorate for Christmas, and from what I am reading on blogs many others of you do as well. Since I usually have at least 2 dinner parties and the family over during the holiday, I try to have something a little different every year. To do this, I have some type of theme, a color scheme in mind or I may have seen something that spoke to me. Your inspiration can be something as simple as a plaid ribbon.
A few years back, I fell in love with a plaid ribbon from Hobby Lobby. That year everything had the ribbon incorporated into the design. Glass candle/flower holders on the table were wrapped with the ribbon. Plaid Christmas balls were hung from the tree, and rolled around the three candle holders. Three large bows tied together with streamers topped the Christmas tree. The ribbon was entwined in the garland that hung from the mantle, and a big bow topped the wreath on the entrance door. Pinecones were hot glued to the ribbon and hung on the French doors into the study. The door into the messy office became a giant gift with a tag hanging from the plaid bow that read “do NOT open until Christmas” Of course everyone had to peep behind the closed door.
Another year my inspiration was the color lime green instead of the traditional Christmas green. The country theme can be a lot of fun, using rustic items you may have around the house. Wrap gifts in craft paper or brown paper bags. I like to use red, white, blue and brown for the county theme.
I have used a Victorian theme, which I still use and always have a Victorian inspired tree, from which I hang my vintage and antique ornaments. The tree in recent years has become more shabby but chic in its look with more pink and less gold. The reds have been replaced with a cherry red. There are a lot of handmade ornaments and memory hanging from this tree.
As a result of all this different themes every year, I have lots of stored Christmas decorations. And have sworn off of collecting more, making more, or even buying them on clearance. I can tell you this year has been a year of withdrawal. The only bright spot is I made ornaments to sell in my booth, about 7 shabby but chic pink rose glass ornaments and 4 red rose glass ornaments. I’ve also explored using thread spool as ornaments, but am still working on displaying the spools and how to hang them from the tree.
