Opening our decorations

I am almost caught up with Simple Mom! Next year maybe I’ll be talking about each week while it is still that many weeks before Christmas.

To update you on how I’m doing with the first 4 weeks before I launch into the next…

I found a photo card I loved but they don’t deliver to Canada so I tried seeing what I could print at a Kodak kiosk and the experience was less than helpful so we went back to the drawing board and John designed a card in Photoshop that looks similar to the one I wanted online. So no, I didn’t get them ordered, but hopefully will have them printed by the end of the week.

On to Week 8, the only one I’ll talk about today because it comes with pictures.

8 Weeks Till Christmas: Brainstorm Decorating Ideas.

A couple of the points simplemom gives include taking an inventory of what you have, hunting the sales well before the holidays and embracing a simple look. Last year after Christmas I bought several items at Superstore, Ikea and other locations that then went unopened in my 2 green tubs of holiday decorations (see image above). Not only did I get an incredible price but I also avoid getting sucked into whatever trends they roll out at full price this year and getting out the decorations is like unwrapping early Christmas presents.

I agree with simplemom, the stores design their displays to entice you to buy what you don’t need and expect it to look at good in your own house. But it never does because you don’t have a room full of the other 150 matching items you would need to complete the look. And now you regret your impulse buy and the random mix of decorations you’ve accumulated.

If I good give any good advice about decorating on a budget, some related to simplemom’s thoughts and some of my own, I might offer the following:

My red and brown look

1. Decide on a look or style and stick with it (yes, year after year unless you are independently wealthy). You’ll be less likely to buy impulse junk you’ll throw away and it will take less money and effort to create a cohesive decor.

For example, I love the woodsy/winter cabin look and very little green – mostly reds, browns, creams, tans and golds. So I resist the temptation to buy one-offs and instead go for items like pine cones, a felt tree skirt with trees on it and knit stripped stockings in red, brown and cream.

Just because Ikea tried to say black and orange makes nice Christmas 2008 decoration colours doesn’t mean all the people who bought them don’t seriously regret their decision now (unless their decorations have always been those colours in which case they were actually following the rules).

My 2008 craft from Martha Stewart

2. If you like to create homemade decorations, don’t overwhelm yourself, choose one per year. Craft supplies are pricy and add up if you’re trying to create five things you saw on marthastewart.com.

Decide on a craft that’s doable (and of course matching the theme you’re building) and you won’t end up opening that box of decorations the next year and wondering why you spray painted the nativity gold and spent a fortune on supplies for handmade Disney princess ornaments.

For example, in keeping with my woodsy theme, last year I made homemade bird ornaments our of cinnamon, craft glue and an assortment of glitter and beads in red, brown and metallic.

This year I’d like to continue the theme and maybe create something for the table that carries the birds, pine cones and colours into other rooms.

Stockings, wreath, nativity grouped on the mantle

3. If you don’t have much to spend and you want to keep things simple but more put together than a dorm room, group items together in vignettes.

I actually have very view Christmas decorations (only 2 Rubbermade tubs full including towels, napkins and candles) but I avoid making it look sparse by not spreading them out around the house.

Over the years, yes, I hope to collect and make enough to make each room equally festive, but for now, I focus on two locations: the fireplace and the dining room table.

I have towels in the kitchen and pinecones and candles in the guest bathroom but be careful, a lone decoration can easily look cheap, wrong in scale and ineffective in creating atmosphere.

Our Asian ornament

4. Consider incorporating a family tradition into your decorations. Infusing meaning into the decor not only allows your family to be involved  but it also gives purpose to your purchases.

For example, John and I liked my parents’ tradition of purchasing an ornament each year to commemorate something unique about the year, like a vacation or a city we lived in or a child being born. Their tree is covered with ornaments from all over the world and has been a conversation piece my whole life.

We started our first year of marriage and our unique collection includes an ornament received as a wedding present, one from Asia, Paris and the (Red) campaign. It is becoming a conversation piece and holds memories for us both.

Along with the childhood ornaments we brought into the marriage, I know the biggest part of our Christmas decorating will be the most special.

So I don’t plan to purchase anymore decorations before Christmas but I will continue the tradition of making a craft and then I’ll cash in on huge sales after the holidays. Below are some more shots of my decorations this year.

Stocking hangers

Pine cones and red candles make the bathroom festive too!

Olive wood nativity (Israel), gift from Mom Dad B

Macbook box makes a great elevation for a tree stand

Work gift last year, sparkly pear!

This year's ornament: We loved Paris

Merry Christmas!