Hi Friends,
I have been MIA as the holiday snuck up on me and I was a crazy lady. We hosted my husband’s family and had a smashing time visiting and entertaining those we love for Thanksgiving. Now I am in full Christmas mode. I have holiday concerts to direct, on top of my own children’s concerts, dance competitions, sports activities, work, and gifts to purchase, but I still wanted to share a few ideas as the holidays approach.
I LOVE Christmas decor. Wait, let me say that again, I LOVE Christmas decor!! My family makes fun of me because I can sit in a room for hours just staring at lights on our tree, or at my fireplace mantle. It’s sort of ridiculous. I’m a nut. But nonetheless they indulge me. I don’t ask for much, so I guess that helps when I insist on flooding the house with decorations. I joked recently that I am like Will Ferrell in ” Elf” when he walks into the mall and screams, “SANTA!” I walk around and scream, “CHRISTMAS!” It is my absolute favorite time of year, and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a bit over the top. Recently I shared some wonderful ideas for your Fall Tablescape and today I’m sharing several ideas for your tree, your mantle, and your table.
I tend to find something that I love and keep it the same for a few years. When you love an idea or item, why change it? What I like to do is take something that I love and add a few new touches. This year I began with my mantle. I went a totally different direction than before. I wanted everything to be really natural. Keeping things natural begins with greenery. Fresh greenery is ideal and I use it at all costs, but if you’re decorating early it can become extremely dry, so search out realistic greenery to purchase, and then you are set for many years to come. My mantle is filled with greenery, pine cones, little cotton trees, my sparkly deer, and a “vintage” church window form. I finished it with my fur stockings and this amazing wooden star garland I found at my local boutique. I couldn’t be happier with the finished product.
Next come the trees. We have three trees and I will share two today. The littlest one is not completely finished, so I will share that later. The first tree I am sharing is the tree in our finished basement. It is a small flocked tree and to be honest, my favorite. I was out running a few errands before Thanksgiving and found a fabulous, fuzzy buffalo check ribbon and I was sold. Find one thing you love and then build around it. I also found these fabulous little wooden signs and decided to incorporate those as well. I added frosty berried stems, extra pine cones, and finished the top with cotton stems and icy stems. I think it is the perfect blend of woodland and farmhouse, and am happy to say that it’s been shared and has had great success on Pinterest. Yippee!! Don’t you just love when something comes together the way you imagine!?
The second tree has a red and green theme and is much more traditional. This tree is a blend of my favorite red and green plaid globes, little wooden nutcrackers, that belonged to my mother, lots of glass balls, snowflakes, and is finished with a wonderful sweater ribbon covered in deer. My tree is OLD, and although I need a new one, I am glad that I can dress it up until I bite the bullet and get a new one. Everything is prettier with lights, right??
Lastly, who doesn’t love a beautiful table? Tables are my thing. I am a major cook and baker, so when I make a meal for those I love, I want to make sure that it is served in a special way. This year I decided to center my place-setting around my twelve days of Christmas plates. I’ve had them for several years, but this year they are the star. I’ve again added greenery, sugared berries, wooden deer, my favorite woodland deer napkins, and finished the setting with fresh rosemary and berries in my gold antler napkin rings. Light some candles and make it sparkle for all those that enter. A beautiful table is a show-stopper, and will be remembered for many years to come.
Whatever your plans are this holiday season, I wish you so much happiness and peace doing what you love! Cheers and may your Christmas be merry and bright!
xoxo Deb
Deb Vuagniaux Designs and Home 