Crystal Author
Third in the “Quick and Easy series. I love banners and garlands. But they can be a bit pricey and may not fit exactly the look I’m going for. I’m cheap frugal so I decided to make a couple with different themes this year. This “project” took literally less than 10 minutes and I used what I had on hand. I strung a few large jingle bells on a length of twine. You know I’m not into math and measuring so I just eyeballed the length and cut my twine longer in case my eyeballs were tired or looking at something off in the distance at just the moment I made the cut. (You know this can happen when I get distracted. Which is often). I tied a loop on one end and attached it to a tiny nail previously hammered into the top of my headboard. (You may want to use a small tack or Command Hooks if your headboard is new, or valuable, or vintage. Mine is none of these things.) Once I had the drape/swag that I liked I cut the twine a couple inches longer, made a loop and hung it on the nail at the other end of the head board. I hung a few of my vintage Christmas postcards with mini clothespins and it was done. Quick, easy, cheap , inexpensive. And cute, if I do say so myself.
You can also use vintage photos of previous family holidays and glue them to card stock. (Make copies, please don’t use your original photos for this), old Christmas cards, lightweight kids’ toys, doll clothes, tiny Christmas stockings. Anything lightweight that strikes your fancy. Switch it up by using ribbon or heavy duty string instead of twine. For heavier items, braid lengths of twine (or whatever you’re using) to provide a sturdy garland. I’ll be making another one using the bells and mittens for my laundry room. Fair warning, these can become a bit addicting and before you know it, you’ll have every window, chest, chair and shelf swagged and draped. I take no responsibility for your garland shenanigans.
I like using candles year ’round, but especially at Christmas. They’re romantic. And I look better by candlelight. Trust me on this. Overhead lighting and I don’t get along. I like soft lighting for ambience. You can’t see that I didn’t dust, you don’t notice the hairballs (um, the hairballs aren’t mine, they belong, or belonged – before they fell off, to my furbabies, just so you understand I don’t have hairballs) and my wrinkles look blurry, like Doris Day in an old film. Soft and dreamy. I use only white candles and usually unscented for the holidays. I want the smell of Christmas in my home, the scent of evergreens, cookies baking, cider being mulled. But mostly that fresh cut Christmas tree scent. Which I don’t have. Since I have a fake tree. It’s dependable. And pre-lit. I’m lazy. Enough said. I don’t want scented candles to interfere with the smells of my food, or compete with my perfume. Which I like. Nor do I want to give the impression that I live in a funeral home. All those flowery scents. So I use my trusty Scensty burners and use a scent called “Festival Of Trees.” Smells like Christmas to me, plus I can turn it off just before it gets over powering, and guests arrive. They think I have a real tree! So I use plain candles. I vary my Scentsy scents (Is that a tongue twister?) So I can use the scent of cookies baking without actually baking. A bonus. Or the smell of mulled cider. Which I don’t mull. So don’t come to my house lookin for fresh baked cookies or a cup of hot mulled cider. JUST KIDDING! We offer fresh baked cookies all the time and there’s hot mulled cider or mulled wine. Mr B does that part. (I look even younger if you’ve had a bit of mulled wine. By candlelight. ) I just take care of the fake smells. And Christmas crafts.
(Nice segue, huh?) Last year I wanted to line our walkway with candles similar to luminarias without the threat of starting a lawn fire. I bought the pillar candles in glass. The ones used in church and religious ceremonies. I like the ones at Target, they don’t have the sticky decals on them that I’d have to remove. Did I say I’m lazy?? And cheap? These things cost less than two bucks. To jazz them up a bit I wrapped them in gift wrap and tied some ribbon on. Easy peasy. You don’t even need to remove the small bar code label, it will be hidden. I didn’t use them outside after all, they were too cute. I used the plain, naked ones outside. But my dressed up cute ones came in the house.
I wanted to do that again this year but I decided to use old book and dictionary pages instead of gift wrap. You can use your favorite photos for this as well, but definitely use copies, not original photos. I have a vintage book with darling art work in it. I found a page with the image of a bird, surrounded with ivy and holly. It looked like Christmas. I made a copy on my computer to use. I couldn’t bear to cut up that book. Besides, if I made a mistake (which was likely to happen due to my measuring abilities, or lack thereof, ) I’d still have the book and could just make another copy. I highly recommend that you use this method if you are using anything other than gift wrap.
The process is simple. Measure or eyeball the width of paper you need to go around the candle, plus about 1/2 inch for over lap. Cut your paper to those dimensions. I use a paper cutter for straight edges. (Unless I’m really lazy and then scissors will do). Place a piece of double sided tape along back side of one edge of your paper and adhere the paper to your candle. (you can also use a glue stick but I find the double sided tape is easier for me.) Make sure your paper seam is at the back of your candle and covers up the price bar code. Just wrap the paper snugly around your candle and adhere a second piece of tape on the backside of the paper, overlap the edges and press down to seal. (You don’t have to tape the top or bottom edges). Tie some ribbon or twine on it. Annnd Voila! (I really like using that word, it suggests magic has happened). Instant charm. Speaking of charm, if the ribbon/twine isn’t enough, use old keys, buttons, or any other bits or bobs you may have. This whole project takes about 5 minutes for each candle once you get your rhythm going. This is a great idea for teacher gifts,, you can make these with your kids and personalize them with the paper you choose. The longest amount of time is getting your supplies together. And then cleaning up. I hate that part. I enjoy getting my supplies OUT, I just don’t care for the putting back part.
I’m often asked; “How do I decorate farmhouse style for Christmas?”
For many of us, after going neutral in our homes, red and green at Christmas just doesn’t feel right. In fact, for me, red and green seems “loud” and too bright. I prefer a quieter approach in the main areas of my home. Before you pile on the complaints, let me be clear. If red and green are your favorite Christmas colors, then you should decorate with red and green. For the sake of this post, we’re talkin neutral.
Truth? I don’t think there is a particular farmhouse “style” for Christmas, my version is neutral and I use natural elements throughout the house. I do have my traditional ornaments and sentimental ones on my family room tree, but I add my natural elements as well. To get a neutral, updated look for your home, think white, silver, copper, gold. I’ve been using faux mercury glass ornaments for awhile now and I still love the look. It’s neutral but the darker shades of copper and gold keep it from looking cold. White lights. Lots of greenery, real or faux. Pinecones. Boxwood wreaths. Burlap, linen, and grainsack stockings. Cable knit or plush throws and pillows, holiday themed pillows in neutral colors. If you want to incorporate the fur trend, use a furry pillow or two on your sofa, or layer one with a plush throw. White candles. Clear ornaments mixed with mercury glass. Pots of ivy or ferns instead of Poinsettias (or use the white or pale colored Poinsettias). Succulents nestled in silver goblets with tiny pinecones and moss. Put your tree in a large galvanized tub, or a basket, or a wooden box instead of using the traditional tree skirt. I use a long length of burlap under mine, just wrapped loosely around the base. Or use an old army blanket, or again with faux fur, buy a length of plush or faux fur fabric and use that. It’s much less expensive than buying a pre-made skirt. A drop cloth is also an option. If you want to add an accent color, choose whatever you love. The beauty of going with a neutral foundation is you can change it up with the addition of a strong color as an accent without the danger of it looking over the top. Spread your accent color around the room. Use restraint, a little goes a long way. Use some of the same elements throughout your home for a cohesive look.
Be careful with themes. Themes can help kick start a new look but it’s easy to go overboard. Again, use restraint. Just because the style is called farmhouse doesn’t mean you have to load your tree with galvanized metal stars, roosters and cows. If that’s your thing, use a few. But add traditional ornaments in silver or copper to round it out. Add pinecones, make a garland by braiding together lengths of thick twine, or make your own paper chain garland using newspaper, music sheets or neutral felt instead of bright colored construction paper. Hang your baby shoes and other family mementos as one of a kind ornaments. Cut out star shapes (or hearts, or birds, whatever you like) from card stock (cereal boxes work well), glue music and book pages or newspaper, even vintage patterned wrapping paper cut to fit. Punch a hole, add some glitter and tie with twine to your tree branches. Revive the craft of making salt dough and create your own farmy ornaments. A day of making and baking ornaments with your kiddos makes memories as well. Or use clay. Make and bake. Let your version of farmhouse style guide you. Love modern farmhouse? Go with metallics and lots of white. Partial to rustic? Go homemade and old school. Paper chains, string popcorn or even cranberries. Natural elements and ornaments are easy to find. A lover of romantic or shabby farmhouse? Insert flowers within the boughs of your tree, and use vintage postcards and/or christmas cards hung with sheer ribbon. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
If you are starting over, transitioning from Prim or Country style, don’t despair. You don’t have to buy a tree’s worth of ornaments this season, sort through your current ornaments, chances are some will make the cut. Add clear glass craft ornaments. They’re inexpensive. One of the most beautiful trees I’ve ever seen was loaded with nothing but clear ornaments and white lights. It was stunning. And consider going naked…. Just add lights and a topper and call it a day. Simple and elegant. Your TREE! Your tree will be naked, simple and elegant. Geez, You? you’ll be dressed. In your holiday best, standing next to your naked tree. Holding a copper mug. Of Moscow Mule. On trend. That’s you…..Miss Trendy. And you’re beautiful.
Trends. Every year there is a new one it seems. Sometimes trends last a few years. Some are here and gone before I can even decide if I like them. I don’t often jump on the trend train. I prefer classic looks usually. I didn’t jump on the sign trend train. I’ve been tempted a few times, especially by the large ones lettered with a favorite quote or verse. I don’t need a “BATHROOM” sign hanging in my bathroom. The toilet is a big clue. I do have some signs tho, so I guess I did take the sign trend train, for a short trip. To the bathroom. Nooo, just kidding. I have a Super Market sign I’ve yet to hang (in the kitchen, not the bathroom.) Come to think of it, hanging that Super Market sign in the bathroom might be a great way to have some fun, annd confuse my drunk friends. My beloved Brown Dog Farm sign hangs in the dining room. I do like genuine old signs, shop signs, handmade signs that are old and rusty or chippy, (think “Burma Shave”) and street signage. But I don’t want to buy reproductions, I want the real deal. Where was I going with this post???? I completely lost my train of thought……. Trend train, OH, YEAH, …………….
Faux fur has been trending for a few years. Last year it was big. This year, it’s huge. Faux fur is everywhere. Pillows, throws, blankets, table runners and placemats. WHAT????? Placemats? Table runners??? Is it just me? Am I supposed to believe dining with dead animals skins, even fake ones under my plate, is a good thing? Isn’t it a bit…. much? For Pete’s sake, critters could be hiding there! I live in Florida and I know about critters, and I sure don’t want them hiding in fur, even fake fur. Beneath my plate. Close to my FOOD. It may be this year’s big trend, but it’s a dead one at my home, no pun intended. I’m just sayin NO TO THE FAUX. No fur on my table. I may use a faux fur throw, and I have, on my sofa or tossed on a chair for, you know….. my “winter look.” When my friends visit they look at me and go; “Seriously?? Fur??” Sigh. No one understands me. They embrace the Florida lifestyle. Me? Not so much. Did I mention I live in Florida where Christmas is Flamingos and Santa wears flip flops and drives a golf cart? And drinks Martinis? No hot chocolate for the bearded guy here.
But I’m a Midwest girl. No Flamingos for me. I want snowflakes and pine cones and faux fur. Except on my table. The fur on tables trend stops at my table. Actually before it gets to my table. In fact, it never crosses the threshold, kinda like Vampires, can’t come across the threshold without an invitation.
Fall is my favorite season. It’s the favorite of many of my friends as well. I started thinking about why that may be. Is it because the days are filled with bright blue skies, crisp air, the smell of burning leaves? Maybe it’s because we can finally breathe deep after the long, humid days of summer. I know that down here, when I have to wear scuba gear to walk to the mailbox, no humidity is a welcome change. I get very, very VERY homesick every year beginning in September. I think about my days growing up in the Midwest, when fall meant wearing jeans and loafers, comfy cable knit sweaters, and putting away my white shoes. In those days no one wore white after Labor Day. And even though I know that rule has changed, I still refrain from wearing white shoes in the winter. Some habits die hard. You’ll see me in my trademark Keds, but not the white ones. Nope. But red? and Blue? Oh, yeah.
Fall means chili, and potato soup, warm corn bread with ham and beans. It’s hot chocolate with marshmallows, fire pits and toasted marshmallows. It’s raking leaves into big piles and then jumping in them and crawling out of the pile with crushed leaves down the back of your neck, inside your collar and in your shoes. It’s the warmth of the fireplace and the comfort of snuggling under a warm blanket. It’s reading a good book by that same fire, or watching movies with loved ones long after we should be asleep.
Fall is long drives to see the splendor of the turning leaves, hiking along forgotten paths. Collecting acorns and seedpods and pretty maple leaves. It’s the feeling of life slowing. Turning inward, preparing for winter. Fall is comfort.
Fall here in Florida is a bit different. We do get to wear jeans on some days, but mostly we’re still in our shorts and flip flops well into November. I have a fireplace that gets used whenever the weather drops to the 60’s. Hey! When it’s 195° in the shade (slight exaggeration, slight!) with humidity to match for 9 months of the year, 60° is COLD. (Don’t judge.) I don’t care. It’s Fall y’all! I decorate with fall themed things just like my northern friends. I collect leaves on trips “up north”, and I once brought back 5 pounds of Indiana acorns to use. I still have them. We have tiny, piddly ones that drop all year. You Northeners get the good ones. So not fair. But as long as I can bring a bit of home back with me, all is good. I’m sharing a few photos of some of my fall decor this year. In my rush to get a Christmas themed post up for ya, I neglected fall. Shame on me. I remembered this afternoon however, when the light was pouring into the dining room. I love Fall, yes, I do.
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