or maybe I should say not decorating for Christmas? I didn’t even do a quarter of the stuff I normally do, but that’s o.k. I just don’t want to invest in the time to pull all that stuff out AND put it away (we’ve already started packing some stuff up for our move next year).
But I thought I’d show you what I did do this year.
Starting with this little garland I made from a box of knit gloves/stocking I found at Big Lots. I think they’re suppose to be ornaments.
I just tied them on to some Christmas ribbon and hung it above my sofa. I figure this can stay up through winter.
Now I had the best intentions to make another garland using these yo-yos above. But just never got around to it and don’t know if I will (I can’t believe Christmas is so soon – I just got started with my shopping!!!).
But if you want to try it – this is what it’s supposed to look like. Cute isn’t it? This is from the Holiday 2010-2011 issue of Quilting Arts Gifts Magazine.
It has soooo many really cute ideas like these no-sew ornaments that I was going to do in various red fabric and hang off a white tree (maybe next year).
Every year I do a china tree in my dining room. I think it’s a fun tree for a dining room!
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This year is no different except I used a white tree and added some of my vintage monogrammed silverware.
Last year I hung small plates as well as the cups.
If you can’t find already made up ornaments (I’ve been lucky with TJ Maxx), a few years ago I took little teacups and saucers from the thrift store and glued the two together (example above). You could also use those play children’s tea sets.
If I had room I’d do a tree in my kitchen and hang kitchen stuff off it! Fortunately I don’t 🙂
Finally, I’d like to show you the beautiful burlap table runner the Becky @ Sweet Cottage Dreams made for me. She had a give away last month and I was lucky enough to be one of the winners!
As I told her, I had been wanting to make one for the longest but never got around to it. So how perfect that I won one of hers!
Look at the pretty double ruffle she added! Thank you Becky – I really really love it!
Well gang that’s it for me until next year. I’m going to take a break from blogging. I plan on reading some good books, my daughter and I are working on a puzzle and I’m going to watch season 6 of Gilmore Girls (again) plus a whole lot of other things that have nothing to do with decorating or renovating.
I hope you all make time to really enjoy this holiday season and I hope it’s filled with nothing but good things for each of you.
I am doeing the same thing this year…I have given so much away to my daughters and I have really downsized on my decorating this year and feels really good! Have a great month, thats what it's for! ;D
Have a wonderful time on your bloggy break. Look forward to seeing you in 2011!
Merry Christmas!
Judy
Well even downsizing you have managed to make it so pretty and festive:) Love the little garland you made. We are actually doing a puzzle to, of a barn. Have fun and have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family:)
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens
Your Christmas decorating is always fresh and cheery and bright. It doesn't matter that you're not going to do it "all." Next year, you'll be in your new home (keeping fingers crossed in advance) and it'll be so much fun to make that home your own. What a good tip about childhood dishes and the dining room tree. I often spy an odd cup or saucer, sometimes the entire set, and think how cool it'd be to have a grandgirlie, but this way I could have some fun. Must write that down in my notebook of ideas before it's lost. Have the happiest of Christmases! (BTW, we'll allow you to change your mind if you stumble on something you simply must share!)
Have a wonderful Christmas:@)
Oh I just love your garland ideas! The mittens are darling (and so simple, too!).
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Enjoy reading and that puzzle. We have a lot in common. I love both! Merry Christmas.
This is just perfect for your situation right now, Manuela! I think you've made it festive but kept it in show shape! I have something funny to tell you; I'll send you an email!
BTW, enjoy your break! I've got a stack of books waiting to be read. I only just caught up with all my magazines this past week!
Still admiring your charming tea cup tree!! Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year as you move into your new home. ~ Julie
Dear Manuela, your home looks charming as ever. I hope it fills you iwht joy. Enjoy the holiday and your time reading. Love Clarice
Everything looks pretty and Christmas-y at your beautiful home Manuela! Love the runner.
I have not decorated nearly as much this year either. Too much going on.
Happy week to you!
~Melissa 🙂
I love what you did do. Your colors are so warm. I do less each year. I went from a big tree to several little trees. So much easier. I hope you have a great holiday season and I will look forward to your posts after the
NewYear.
Beautiful Manuela! I love the peppermint garland.
It may not be as much as you usually do, but it still looks great! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! And enjoy your downtime!
How cute that garland is! You are just so clever. Your white tree is so pretty with the china and flatware on it, and I LOVE that bucket you have it in. I ordered one of those runners from Becky, and I love it! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. laurie
I just love the china tree and I think I will be doing one in my dining-room next year. Yours is stunningly beautiful. This year I did a fun Kitchen tree. Have a nice break and a wonderful Christmas and look forward to your posts in the New Year. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5
I think your home still sparkles with Christmas beauty! I did less this year too and I'm not even moving;>) Sometimes it feels better to fuss less and enjoy the quiet moments that we can instead. Congratulations on winning Becky's gorgeous runner. She makes the loveliest things. Marry Christmas Manuela!
Manuela, glad I'm not the only one not decorating so much this year. I'm in a wheelchair this year and can't pull all those boxes out myself and I so love to decorate! Love those yo yos! Maybe next year, when I recover, I'll be able to decorate to the hilt. (I'll be in a new but smaller house too) Love what you've done so far. Enjoy your time away from the blog and see you next year.
I love your 'china' tree in your dining room and the mitten garland. Very refreshing decorating. I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas season. Enjoy your break!
Pamela
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and ideas with us.
Everything is so lovely….the little teacups/saucers on the tree have stolen my heart!
Kelly
Merry Christmas Manuela!
Thank you so much for sharing and as always, I love your inspirational decor. Beautiful holiday treasures.
Everything looks so pretty….I have barely started my decorating and have only bought 5 or 6 presents. Christmas is around the corner and I am trying to get ready 😉
Well My Sweet Friend
You inspire me as always with you fresh new ideas. Love the mitten garland!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!
Enjoy!
Leann
I remember the year we were moving here right after Christmas. I think I put up a tree and three or four favorite snowmen… and that was it!
This year I was in a bah humbug mood and I brought out just about everything I still own (after downsizing a lot).
I just love everything you did and I MUST find a copy of that magazine with the yo-yo's.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Manuela!
Your home is warm and welcoming and I can't wait to follow your journey to your new home.
God Bless.
Deanna
Your home looks cheery and festive, Manuela! I hope you have a wonderful, Merry Christmas. Blessings to you and yours.
xo
Claudia
Just love the idea of your china tree!
Hope that you and your family have a fabulous Christmas, enjoy your blog holiday – looking forward to seeing your return :o)
Very best wishes
Rose H
I always LOVE coming by your blog! You are so inspiring in all you do. I am trying to do less but the *D* bug in me doesn't seem to be able to keep it down. You have some wonderful ideas that I might have to *borrow*, lol!
Have a blessed day!
Lorena
As always, everything at your house looks beautiful, Manuela! May you have an especially blessed, peaceful Christmas. God bless you!!
Enjoyed seeing your decorations.
Have a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your break.
Well, your place still looks mighty colorful and festive! I bought one of those runners from Becky, so you and I both have the same one. Don't you just love it? I'm so excited for you, planning a move. Keep us all updated. Merry Christmas, dear blogging friend!
Brenda
Enjoy your break! I admire your efforts at making the yo-yos for the garland. I've made yo-yos before and they are time consuming. It will be darling when completed and worth the effort. Sally
Beautiful decorations! Have a very blessed Christmas season! Enjoy the time with your family.
Have fun on your Christmas break…Me? I bought two cans of paint today, more projects in the air. Will I wait until after Christmas? I don't think so!
Merry Christmas to you, dear. Look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Hello dear Manuela,
I think I am late reading this, aren't I. You are the third blogger friend of mine that is moving or has just moved. Are you moving very far away from your present location? Is it another house? I love your yard, you will miss that.
I love your teacup tree, I have always wanted to do one of those, maybe I will one day still.
Have a wonderful Christmas, doing all the things that you enjoy!
Hugs, Cindy
Good Morning Manuela. :o)
Your home radiates the charms of Christmas! :o) Such adorable touches!
Your yo-yo plan is calling to me. :o)
It is so sweet!
Have a lovely day.
Sincerely – Trish
Manuela, your home always sparkles! LOVE all of the red here and there.
And that string of mittens melts my heart!
So happy that the runner worked out for you. That makes me (((smile))).
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy the break! I am going to be doing the same here shortly.
I need to catch up on all of the blog gals, too.
xoxo
Becky
Your home still looks festive and ready for Christmas. I vary how much I put out each year. Thank you for the reminder in your previous post of all your wonderful tree and wreath crafts. Some of them are still on my to-do wish list!
I think your decorations look beautiful! I've done less this year too. My kids are getting a little worried. In fact, we don't even have a tree up yet. There is this wee kitten around here that has me a bit worried 🙂
Blessings,
Marcia
P.S. I'm having a giveaway on my blog 🙂
Your house is the perfect house for Christmas colors. So beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and have a peaceful holiday. Mimi
Enjoy your blogging break! I know it can be very therapeutic. I haven't blogged much myself–keep getting sick from having my daughter in her first year of preschool! Hope you enjoy your holidays with your family and sending good sale vibes to your home in the spring. 🙂
Hi Manuela,
I've missed seeing your posts.
My younger sister is leaving today to fly back to Georgia where she is living with her fiancee'. They living in Cummings Ga. I have a friend that I went to high school with that lives in Newna, Ga.
Anyhow, your Holiday stuff is so pretty. I wondered if you were gonna be putting up alot of stuff due to the move in the new year.
Have a great day!
Viola
LOVE ALL YOUR DECORATIONS. SO MUCH FUN! HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
You are so talented. When we buy a house please come decorate it for me. All kidding aside, I get so many great ideas from you. Thank you for sharing
Love your China tree and the silverware ornimants!!! Too cute.
Hi Manuela,
Oh, everything is so beautiful. Your kitchen tree is charming!
I think that there are lots of us having a hard time getting going this Christmas.
Blessings to you,
Kathy
I love the crisp feel of the red and white! And some years it's so refreshing to simplify, I've had those years and it's just something I feel deep down I need to do. In January when I put Christmas away, the simpler years have been pure bliss!
I admire you for taking some time off. Kudos. Breathe in your moments my friend…hope to see you in 2011!
xo
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
Hi Manuela, I've missed you and I guess I'll be missing you some more. But you enjoy your daughter and time away from blogging. We all have to do that form time to time.
Now I love what your done for Christmas. That little white tree is adorable with all the little cups and saucers. Congrats on winning the lovely table runner!
I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Manuela,Your home always looks lovely and friendly. I think many people took a more pared down outlook towards the holiday decorating this year. I certainly know I did! Life is hectic and we have to prioritize. And I don't think we need to compete with anyone else to feel good about ourselves, whether it's in "Blogland" or in "Real Life." Love your little tree with the cups/saucers and that sweet little garland with the mittens….. oh my- they are precious. Enjoy the holiday season with your family, my friend! ~ Sue
You are moving too? Yes, I see you do love yellow too! Love the mitten thingy–so cute. I also love the idea of a teacup tree–I have wanted to do that….perhaps sometime in the future. I am not familiar with the gilmore girls…..hmmmmm or maybe I have seen some of that—was it a series?
I like your simple holiday decorating. I have scaled back from an already simple style and it feels less cluttered and more livable to me.
I really like the yo yo garland.
Jody
Very sweet! I always love the photos that show your trays, too. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Bess
I especially love your arrangement of candles with the poinsettia in the middle. Beautiful! Enjoy your holiday break!
Hi Manuela!! I have been trying to read up on your blog tonight (woke up and can't sleep!) and LOVE all your Christmas decorations! I am not putting a lot up either this year and it's bitter sweet! I also love what you did in the DR, everything looks great! 🙂
These are wonderful ideas. I like the yo-yo garland, very cute and charming.
Merry Christmas!
Very pretty…I love the garland~
sandy toe
Merry Christmas, Manuela! Wishing you and your family all the best!
Merry Christmas, Manuela!
What a lovely space for Christmas. I went with turquoise and white this Christmas.
Hi Manuela
So originals and great ideas! Love the cute little Christmas Tree!!!
Best wishes!
Charo
Have a wonderful Christmas break. Like you we are planning on moving next year so have begun downsizing in every area, including Christmas. Hugs
How could I have missed your darling blog!? There is so much here to love! I am following now… I don't want to miss anything! 🙂
I love that peppermint garland!
Merry Christmas!
~Liz
Merry Christmas, Manuela! I can't believe it's been so long since I've visited! I get a lot of subscribed blogs in my email, and I forget that a lot of them come to my "followed" section. I hope you have a restful Christmas, getting ready for your move next year! : )
Everything looks so pretty and cozy. The delicate white tree with china and vintage silver is eXquisite! Best wishes for many Christmas blessings. I hope you have a wonderful celebration with plenty of time to relaX. See you neXt year!
Merry Christmas Manuela!
Everything is always SO beautiful over here… as are YOU.
Love,
Kim
Merry Christmas, Manuela. I wish you and your family everything good this Christmas!
Blessings,
Shilo
Everything is beautiful as always Manuela! I hope you have a Wonderful and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
See you next year!
Lou Cinda
Christmas Blessings to you and your family, From my mountain to yours Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Your home is gorgeous as usual! I understand the "packing thing" and so can't wait to see your new house! Enjoy your break and have a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas Manuela!!!
xoxo
I love all of your red pillows!