CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 10

A Christmas Wish:

Take time to indulge in simple pleasures.

A visit to any decorating store this time of year shows us an extravagance of ways to bring Christmas into our homes. Every color we can imagine is there to transform our ordinary space. And I am sure you can find any theme you can dream up.

 I have always been one to indulge in the simple pleasures when it comes to decorating. I like to reuse what I have, add a surprising touch, and move things around just a bit.

I love to do the traditional colors of Christmas. I've never had a theme. I think if you use the things you like, everything will come together. 

Making arrangements in kitchen  tools is always good. A mini

chopper grater like this one is ideal because it has a jar below for a holiday scene and the top can hold greenery.

The celery salt bottle is the perfect Christmas color and holds some colored baubles.

I especially like my sifter with the arrangement of flowers, berries, greens, and red birds.

None of these are permanent, so after Christmas I can just empty them, and actually use them for grating and sifting if I need to. I don't have extra space in my kitchen so for the holidays they are on a shelf in the dining area's china cabinet. They look a little bit crowded in this picture, but it works.

There are so many other things that can be used. Old spice tins are really fun to turn into little arrangements. Craft stores have lots of tiny Christmas trees, Santas, toys, deer, beads, and bells that can be mixed with greens on top of a small tin. Cups and saucers or coffee mugs are also good for arranging little scenes. Try a wine glass turned upside down to make a faux snow globe. Some of the cutest snowmen I've seen started life as salt shakers. Old serving spoons or ladles can be turned into something clever. 

 

Stacks of books are fun to place around the room. These are red and green and make a nice little shelf for Santa.

Sometimes just tying bows on objects is enough to give them a little flourish. I worked in a historic Victorian house for several years and did a lot of natural decorating. We used a lot of red ribbon and greenery. I saved leaves and dipped them in wax for arrangements. We used lots of pinecones and branches. I really enjoyed researching in old magazines for authentic decorations. The results were simple but effective. If you just look around, I'm sure you will find something that needs a red ribbon.