The Love Of Home Files #5
This week I’m focusing on the fact that it’s almost Christmas. Well, it’s still weeks away.
But about now is when it comes into focus for me. The thinking of how I want to decorate and with how much I want to do. Or am able to do.
If you’re planning to make Christmas crafts and/or ornaments, now is the time to get started.
Let’s start out with how to choose your theme and colors this year, via suggestions from Leslie from My One Hundred Year Old Home.
By the way, her colors this year are absolutely gorgeous!
Consider A Woodland Christmas Theme:
Deb and Danelle have been leaning into the woodland look for a while now.
They’ve built a new home and this type of theme works really good there. I enjoy watching them decorate this home for all the seasons.
Choosing The Christmas Table Theme:
Do you want an elegant theme? A rustic one? Maybe something in between?
The table above manages to mix both of the decor styles well.
Deciding On The Mantel Decor:
This is more of the dark and moody look you’ve probably been seeing. The background is black.
An ornate mirror hangs above. Oh, I’ve had my eye on that kind of mirror for a while now!
Rustic & Simple Christmas Theme:
If you don’t want to decorate all that much, or you want to make it simple, the style above might work for you.
DIY Potpourri Gifts For Neighbors & Friends:
Jen first shows you how to dry the citrus slices. Then she’ll tell you how she created these holiday potpourri jars.
She used oranges and lemons, anise, bay leaves, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, and allspice.
Make Old Fashioned Snow Flakes:
We made those as kids at school. At least those of you my age probably did.
There is the suggestion in this DIY that if you’re making these snowflakes the old-fashioned way, you might consider making just a few a day.
She says this is so your hands don’t fall off! So it might be that tedious a task. But one worth doing!
Make Pom-Pom Gnome Ornaments:
Gather everyone around and start crafting for Christmas. I used to start doing this the day after Thanksgiving with my girls.
These pom-pom gnome ornaments will be fun to make and you’ll be able to say you have homemade ornaments for your tree.
Christmas Themed Coffee Bar:
How about dressing up a coffee bar for Christmas?
You could bring out your collection of Santa mugs and add cocoa packets to the arrangement for hot cocoa.
Christmas Themed Bar Cart:
And if you have a bar cart, consider dressing it up for the holidays as well.
You can decorate any room or surface in your home for the holiday in whatever style or colors you prefer.
Two things jumped right out at me: the beautifully decorated dining table with the red (pink?) and white dishware and the beautiful glasses. I also am enchanted by Deb and Danelle’s kitchen Christmas decorations. So simple but so elegant. I would spend a lot of time in that kitchen with that woodland view out of the wall of windows above the kitchen sink and counter. Last year I did my first ever woodland themed tree and I loved it so much I’m bringing it back this year. I had thought about do a glamorous tree this year but the idea didn’t excite me. I’ll be putting my tree and living room decorations soon so I can enjoy them. I may do something in the kitchen/dining room too rather than the minimal decorating I’ve done over the past few years.
Great post, Brenda. Even though I can barely begin to think about Christmas. After a week of bronchitis I haven’t even really done any Fall/Thanksgiving decorating! Maybe I’ll skip it this year! I do appreciate the time you spend putting together all these ideas and photos. I’ve always been one for “eye candy”. So thanks; I’ll probably adopt one or two of the ideas shown. I like the vignette with the white bottle brush trees a lot. I’m sure I have some of those–somewhere! (Guess I better start looking–ha, ha!). P.S.–Sorry you have to endure the TV noise from upstairs. I know how annoying that can be. Years ago we lived in a downstairs apt. and the renter upstairs played Mexican music all night. Awful!
I’m in no way ready for Christmas and don’t even want to think about it just yet…but these are some great ideas for later. I love the stove potpourri in a jar gift idea.
Great post. I usually don’t decorate much for Christmas because we’re traveling but this year we’re staying put. There are some great ideas for me to try in your post. Thanks
I find ideas that pique my interest and then pass them on to you.
Thank you, again, Brenda. I truly love these themed posts. You have given all of us such wonderful ideas. I have been going to all the blogs and finding things I want to do. I especially love the woodland themes. Once upon a time I lived in the middle of the woods and wish I could go there again!
I wish I could live in the middle of the woods. Then I wouldn’t be bothered by my upstairs neighbor’s damned TV every single day.
So many great ideas! Now I’m thinking…..
All it takes are pretty pictures to get me to thinking!
Brenda, thanks for compiling these beautiful Christmas decorating ideas!! This time of year we , who read bloggers like you are inundated with so many choices. You’ve found the easiest and relatable looks. Merry Christmas to you and Ivy…
I spend a great deal of time putting this post together each week. The photos must be optimal. It takes me some time to choose which ones to use based on different factors. Always want you to have the best.