Holiday decorations!

[Gypsy]

Have you bought any new holiday decorations this year??

I have to be super good this year, but I have bought a couple items.

For Halloween and Thanksgiving I bought this wreath: http://img2.etsystatic.com/008/0/6196842/il_fullxfull.375582574_kokx.jpg (without the "hi" flags) for the door.

For under the Christmas three (where the cats sit) I had to change out my tree skirt. The red velvet one I had just did NOT WORK with a beige, black, white and grey cat hair. New Skirt: https://ny-image2.etsy.com/004/0/5283685/icm_fullxfull.22166546_389vhrjl5hk4k00kcggc.jpg

And I am buying a Christmas Wreath for my door that I am hoping will look similar in style to this one: http://img1.etsystatic.com/007/0/6147089/il_fullxfull.368269261_kr2r.jpg

Please share your holiday decor purchases!

 

[JaneSmith]

I really like your christmas wreath. I bought a new fake one at Costco because last year my fresh one didn't make it till christmas.
I always insist on a real tree. I love that smell. The cleanup is a pain but worth it.

 

[Haven]

Can I put in a request for people to share pictures, if they're comfortable? This is always one of my favorite threads every year, especially when the Christmas trees come out!

 

[Gypsy]

Can I put in a request for people to share pictures, if they're comfortable? This is always one of my favorite threads every year, especially when the Christmas trees come out!

Totally agree. Please post pics! I don't have any with me (not at home, on the east coast for the week), but I'll put some up this coming weekend when I get home!

Jane, I think this might be our last year with a real tree. I really like my trees up for about a month and a half. December 1st-January 10th ish, and real trees become fire hazards too quickly. Even with the fancy stand and the tree preserver and water every few days.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm totally aching to buy some new decorations! After moving a few times, I cut back, but now have started to feel a bit more settled and will be buying items to fill in nooks and crannies, but I'm not sure what yet...will start decorating on the weekend or next week.

I'm looking around the house here and realizing the furniture is going to have to be rearranged to accomodate the tree. We will have to move a bookcase, probably. I constantly am moving them and putting the books back on takes so long. Once I paid my son 10 cents a book to do it for me (lol!). It was worth it.

I'll post some photos when the tree is done and other things are set out!

 

[kefira]

I like the winter wreath you chose, too, Gypsy. I think I'm going to try to find a holly one with berries or a cranberry one.

This is the first time my husband and I are going to be together for Christmas in many years (he's usually visiting family in the Midwest). We've never decorated, had a tree, or anything like that, so we're planning to go a bit nuts here this year. I bought our (fake) tree and tree skirt just yesterday - should be here next week - and I need to get going on finding the right lights and buying ornaments, wreath, garlands, etc. I need to find some nice holiday candles to make up for the lack of tree scent.

Any brand suggestions for good quality blown glass ornaments? I'm sure I'll get some standard balls and such, but I need at least a few specialty ornaments - and a pickle is a must-have!

 

[zoebartlett]

I haven't bought anything new this year but we bought a new Martha Stewart wreath (red berry wreath) and a decorative over-the-door hanger for it last year. We also bought a new tree, (also a Martha Stewart product). I love real trees but I've seen too many go up in flames in various news stories. I'm kinda scared of 'em now.

Pier One has great decorations this year. I might see if I can pick up a few ornaments.

 

[Gypsy]

I like the winter wreath you chose, too, Gypsy. I think I'm going to try to find a holly one with berries or a cranberry one.

This is the first time my husband and I are going to be together for Christmas in many years (he's usually visiting family in the Midwest). We've never decorated, had a tree, or anything like that, so we're planning to go a bit nuts here this year. I bought our (fake) tree and tree skirt just yesterday - should be here next week - and I need to get going on finding the right lights and buying ornaments, wreath, garlands, etc. I need to find some nice holiday candles to make up for the lack of tree scent.

Any brand suggestions for good quality blown glass ornaments? I'm sure I'll get some standard balls and such, but I need at least a few specialty ornaments - and a pickle is a must-have!

I saw a bunch of pickles at World Market. I'm not a brand christmas tree ornament person I have one Lennox ornament and a few swarovski stars but that's about it. I have a collection I've been putting together since I was 12 (25 years) of ornaments. I would buy at least one a year, but usually three or four. Last year I took a look and said... I think I've got enough for a while. All of them were selected with care. If you are starting a collection, I would get a few basics but I would select the rest on a piece by piece basis and just build up every year. My favorite places to shop for ornaments are Neiman Marcus and Gumps and 'christmas stores' that spring up. Their own brands. Really lovely unique items.

Here's a lovely wreath: http://www.gumps.com/p/holly-berry-wreath with holly

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.gumps.com/p/courting-crane-ornaments?cm_vc=Cross-Sell-PIP I do think I'm going to buy these.
Or this: http://www.gumps.com/p/porcelain-dove-ornament

 

[kefira]

Thanks, Gypsy, for the Gump's suggestion. We haven't been there yet, and it looks like they have some pretty things. And we go to World Market semi-regularly, too, so I'll check them out next time we are there. I was just looking for one of those seasonal shops since we were out shopping over the weekend, but they must not pop up until Black Friday or so. I think I meant "company" or "place to buy" more than "brand", so your answer was very helpful. I'm ridiculously excited to start my own ornament collection!

Also: I third the request for pictures of holiday deco, please!

ETA: Oh, we were posting at the same time - my husband would love those ornaments, as origami is a hobby of his.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I bought two sets of those super mini lights..almost like little cubes...

cheers--Sharon

 

[stci]

Here is my turning christmas tree. Hope the link work.

http://youtu.be/4UDX7MXCl8M

 

[GemFever]

stci: what a cool idea for a turning tree! My kitten would go crazy trying to catch every ornament

This will be our first Christmas and New Years as a married couple in our own apartment. I am *so excited* to decorate! Will definitely post pics

A little worried about the tree and the kitten (9 months old) though. I want lots of tinsel and garlands... going to have to keep them off the bottom of the tree, I guess.

 

[kisbel65]

Gypsy,

Sorry to hijack your post, but I have been looking for you a while. I need your sage advice on Julian at Pearlmans. I followed your recommendation to use Julian and so far he seems really nice. I am close to my purchase date, but no decision has been made so far. I have posted the diamonds selections that he suggested under the post: 20 days to till purchase. I really like your help. I found out yesterday that I will not be able to preview the setting that I like and there is no refund for special order items. As well the diamond has a seven day return policy. My budget is $7200 and I do not want anything under a carrat ( I already have a carrat and wanted it to be a little bigger and settled on 1.05). Again, sorry for hijacking your post, any help would be appreciated.


BTW, I like both of your wreaths.

Belkis

 

[partgypsy]

Christmas decorations are my weakness, and I've been good so far. But, we redecorated the living room (where the tree will be), from brick red ceiling and window trim and beige walls to cream walls and ceiling and off white trim, and replaced the red couch with an off white leather sofa. Most of our holiday decorations has red accents and I'm ok with that, but I do want to replace the tree skirt with something different (current one is red and green tartan too traditional looking). I also want to get a couple seasonal throw pillows. I like cheerful, kind of retro decorations for the holidays. If I don't see something I like, I may end up getting a holiday themed throw and wrap that around the bottom of the tree.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

We're up about 30 new ornaments this year...

Yeahhhhh we have an addiction

Once I let the better half really start decorating (it's not even turkey day yet!) I'll snap some photos. Even though the trees are up, the wreaths are up, the garlands up... that's only about a tenth of the decorating... Oy!

 

[zoebartlett]

Davi, I can't wait to see your decorations! I look forward to it every year.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

stci: what a cool idea for a turning tree! My kitten would go crazy trying to catch every ornament

This will be our first Christmas and New Years as a married couple in our own apartment. I am *so excited* to decorate! Will definitely post pics

A little worried about the tree and the kitten (9 months old) though. I want lots of tinsel and garlands... going to have to keep them off the bottom of the tree, I guess.

You may have to nix the tinsel to be sure your kitten doesn't eat any of it! My cat had his first Christmas at 6-7ish months old and I thought that we could try decorating the entire tree...no such luck. We would wake up and find ornaments scattered all over the carpet. Then, I thought the following year, he would be more mature and could control his temptation to bat at the shiny objects dangling from the tree, but nope...again, we had to remove ornaments from the bottom two tiers. This year probably won't be any better! He still has loads of energy! lol

 

[MichelleCarmen]

We're up about 30 new ornaments this year...

Yeahhhhh we have an addiction

Once I let the better half really start decorating (it's not even turkey day yet!) I'll snap some photos. Even though the trees are up, the wreaths are up, the garlands up... that's only about a tenth of the decorating... Oy!

Yay, that is exciting! Be sure to post them!

I am thinking of making some...buying those clear glass ones from Michaels and decorating them.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I like the winter wreath you chose, too, Gypsy. I think I'm going to try to find a holly one with berries or a cranberry one.

This is the first time my husband and I are going to be together for Christmas in many years (he's usually visiting family in the Midwest). We've never decorated, had a tree, or anything like that, so we're planning to go a bit nuts here this year. I bought our (fake) tree and tree skirt just yesterday - should be here next week - and I need to get going on finding the right lights and buying ornaments, wreath, garlands, etc. I need to find some nice holiday candles to make up for the lack of tree scent.

Any brand suggestions for good quality blown glass ornaments? I'm sure I'll get some standard balls and such, but I need at least a few specialty ornaments - and a pickle is a must-have!

Hi,
We have some good quality blown glass ornaments and got them from an actual glass blower rather than a regular store. They're thick and have held up really well. They are very heavy, though, and have to be put in toward the center of the tree.

 

[GemFever]

stci: what a cool idea for a turning tree! My kitten would go crazy trying to catch every ornament

This will be our first Christmas and New Years as a married couple in our own apartment. I am *so excited* to decorate! Will definitely post pics

A little worried about the tree and the kitten (9 months old) though. I want lots of tinsel and garlands... going to have to keep them off the bottom of the tree, I guess.

You may have to nix the tinsel to be sure your kitten doesn't eat any of it! My cat had his first Christmas at 6-7ish months old and I thought that we could try decorating the entire tree...no such luck. We would wake up and find ornaments scattered all over the carpet. Then, I thought the following year, he would be more mature and could control his temptation to bat at the shiny objects dangling from the tree, but nope...again, we had to remove ornaments from the bottom two tiers. This year probably won't be any better! He still has loads of energy! lol

MC, isn't the energy awesome though Love her kittenish ways! But definitely will keep the bottom of the tree pretty bare. Just some lights.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC, isn't the energy awesome though Love her kittenish ways! But definitely will keep the bottom of the tree pretty bare. Just some lights.

hahaha Yeah, my cat goes nuts, especially if he sees another cat. He starts mewing, beeping, and tearing around the room. He is not declawed and will start going ballistic, clawing everything and it gets my husband all worked up and the kids giggling. Ugh! He is like having a third child. and a forth child.

For your tree, you can always put some soft ornaments on the bottom branches. We have a few misc ones that are made of fun fabrics and if they "fall" to the floor, we can put them back on...

 

[partgypsy]

Davi I remember your decorations from last year. You can get a job staging houses or doing window dressing!

If you have a kitten I would err on the side of caution. No tinsel, and get some pretty but unbreakable ornaments (plastic if you don't want to break the bank). The first time we got a real tree our cat (not a kitten) climbed up the middle of the tree knocking down many ornaments, and would bat them off the lower branches. I think he thought it was one giant cat toy.

If I was crafty I would seriously sew my own skirt and stockings, but I am not. It would be nice to have an heirloom like that. Also, many years I've forgo all but a handful of the beautiful glass ornaments, but now that the kids are old enough, I may start collecting again.

The other Christmas look I love is the 50's look with artificial silver or pink tree and green and blue and other neon color ornaments, which is the way my grandparents decorated, so very fond memories. They even had the rotating light. In addition to the 50's ornaments they adorned the tree with beautiful old german glass ornaments, which actually suited the tree quite well.

Sigh.

 

[JaneSmith]

Here is my costco wreath for our cabin.


Here is my cheapy ($50) tree in the cabin. It needs a few more baubles.


Here is my tree at home. Had to go for just the one this year, and a fake at that.


My awesome Enterprise ornament.

 

[JaneSmith]

Here is my wreath at home. They are real ones from costco. One on each light beside the garage and one on the front door.


This is a cute flag I found at the garden centre. It is next to a rosebush near the front footpath.


We have lights all over the house and trees. This is the sleigh and reindeer.

 

[JaneSmith]

I don't know why everything is sideways. I haven't even opened the wine yet.

 

[Maisie]

I decided we would go the home made route this year. We all sat down and made these. I'm rather proud of our colourful efforts

(ignore the wreath on the fire...we are trying to work out how to hang it on the front door. Nothing to fasten it to!)

 

[Gypsy]

LOL @Jane Smith!!!

I ended up making my own wreath, inspired by the one above, but more suited to my tastes. I have the skills (floral designer in a previous life) and it seemed silly to pay 100 bucks on etsy when I can make one for half the price in a half hour.

Now, I've just got to do the rest of the house. Oh... and buy a tree....

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Things are lookin festive in this thread! YAY

MORE MORE MORE

I'll do a proper photo shoot of the house soon. Here's a little tease though

oh and I think our new ornament count is 45. We already plan on adding an extra tree next year

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Things are lookin festive in this thread! YAY

MORE MORE MORE

I'll do a proper photo shoot of the house soon. Here's a little tease though

oh and I think our new ornament count is 45. We already plan on adding an extra tree next year

yay, bowl of balls!!! You must show us more! I'm still hunting for the perfect vases for my various mini-ornaments I've been collecting. I wonder if Michael's has them for good prices?