Posted in Projects to Make, Clear glass, Collections, Minilights, Holidays |
I don’t know where December went….
December 31st, 2006
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I really don’t. It’s not like I had nothing to share in that time frame. If anything I had too MUCH. So I’ll use this post to share some tips that I know will still be useful long after December has come and gone.This first project evolved because I have kitties who love shiney things. I mean LOVE them! Love to bat them around! Last year, after losing many, many glass Christmas balls, this year I protected the remaining ones with a glass cheese dome. The dome, will balls, is sitting on a round silver tray, and then trimmed with silk pine boughs and poinsettias.
I had a tough time getting to the trees to set them up this year, so this was the tree that glowed through my livingroom window:
This is a repurposed tomato cage, strung with mini lights. Once completed, this is great holiday decor for people who have trouble lifting and carrying things - it’s light-weight and easy to store. The complete instructions on how to do that can be here.
Then, there is the idea of decorating AROUND the stuff you use all the time. I used to totally strip my hutch - packing up 
all my dishes and putting out a complete holiday display. This year, I decorated around my “stuff”, and I have to say - it sure is easier. When time is an issue, this kind of decor can be done in a half hour or less. And I am betting the “take down” will be super simple and quick as well.
I did a similar thing with my mantle, both this and last year. I just did different color schemes each year. Last year was a red and purple theme and this year was a red and white theme. I REALLY like how the mini lights look when they are placed INSIDE the urns and then turned on. That will probably be a staple for me from year to year. I may even consider leaving those up year ’round:
So, these are the things I have “learned” from my holiday decor this year:
1. Animal-friendly decorating is essential.
2. If physical limitations cause a need for a change in customary decor, creatively work around that change.
3. Use what you have out already and decorate around it.
4. Use color to change the look.
5. Don’t let ANYTHING stop you from having the “feel” in your home that you WANT!
Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2007.
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
martha pittts on 17 Mar 2007 at 8:15 am: 1
Your mantal was beautiful and loved the “tree”. I may use this next year, since I got a deal on clear twinkle lights after Christmas, 200 lights for 50 cents a box!
I never knew I could make anything until my boss left and I took his place and found out I had not one but 18 gift to buy at Christmas for my drivers. I had 2 teens, a mother who I was helping buying her meds, a dh who was on the road and had to keep an appartment in the next state and I wouldn’t get my raise until after the new year! I had a friend who had a sawmill and he sawed me some slabs in half, I used my dh hot glue gun, and he drilled the holes for the candles I got 4 for a dollar, and I got the plastic garland and a bag of cedar chips. I put the candles in the holes and hot glued them, put the garland around them, forming it into loops and put the cedar chips under it to hold it up and sprayed some spice spray on them. I also had to sand them before I started, carried blisters until the middle of January, ha. No one told me to get me a cold glass of water to dip hot fingers dripping with glue into, now I have graduated to wire, floral pins, wreaths, swags made from vine on our property and florals from the discount stores. Keep the ideas coming as soon as you are settled with your family!
Daniel on 19 Sep 2007 at 8:43 am: 2
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article ., but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.