Pine Cones- the other Christmas Decoration

Here is another simple yet festive idea for Christmas table decorations.  Simply put pine cones into candle holders using melted wax and put a star on top.  There you have it instant pine cone Christmas trees.  You can also hot glue beads to the pine cones to make it look like ornaments.  These work well as centerpieces or even place card holders.  Simple yet elegant.

Here is another cute idea.  paint the edges of the pine cone white to look like snow and glue in burned out Christmas lights for ornaments.   You can also glue beads and shiny objects if you want.  The base can be anything from a rock to a cut base like shown here.  This is a very inexpensive decorating idea.

One final idea is to paint pine cones and place them in a bowl.  Much like the idea from earlier this week with ornaments in a bowl.  This does not cost more than a little paint and pine cones (if you don't have any available) and looks like a million dollars.  Sometimes simplicity is the way to go.

If you have other ideas for using pine cones to decorate we would love to hear them.  Simply add a comment or send us an email at DecorateForTheHoliday@gmail.com

More Low Clost yet Beautiful Christmas Decorations

Mason jars, votive candles, pine cones and greenery make for a very inexpensive centerpiece.  If you live in the city you can find most of the items at you local hobby supply store for just a few dollars.  If you live in the country you can find the items for free.  You can also add a little more color by using red or green candles or adding holly berries to the mix.

You could also add a few colored ornaments or even Christmas light bulbs to add some color.  Just try not to use anything that would melt or is very flammable near the candles.  If you are worried about an open flame you can also use the battery powered votive candles.  The lights flicker on them and from a distance it is difficult to tell that they are not real.

Do you have an idea that would be useful?  Make a comment or email us at DecorateForTheHoliday@gmail.com and we will be sure to pass it on.

Interesting things to do with Christmas Lights

Here is another inexpensive yet great idea for Christmas Centerpieces.  Filling bottles or other glass containers with Christmas lights.  Bottles, cake plates, and even light fixture globes filled with Christmas lights really set a festive mood.  Though you can use regular Christmas lights LED lights do not produce as much heat (and use less energy) and are just as pretty.

Battery operated lights also make things a bit easier because you do not have to worry with hiding the wires.  Colored glass with clear lights seem to look the most elegant.  If you use regular lights be sure to remember to check to see how hot the glass is getting at regular intervals.

The Christmas light filled bottles also look really nice in a windowsill.  You can use different sized and colored bottles grouped together and get some really neat effects.  Frosted bottles and glass also look very nice.  Try this out with a few different types of glass and see what you come up with.  We'd love to see your pictures!  Just email us at DecorateFortheHoliday@gmail.com with your pictures, ideas or questions.

Low Cost Christmas Table Centerpiece Ideas

Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about decorating your table for Christmas Dinner.  A bowl of ornaments can really do the trick for a very low price.  In fact you can use the ornaments that you already have if you like.  Take any bowl or serving dish and fill it with ornaments.  You can also add candy canes or greenery or even pine cones to make it even more festive.

Another idea is to wrap small boxes and put them under a small artificial tree in the center of the table.  Many stores sell Rosemary trees in pots that you can use later to put into your food.  These are very nice and do not cost much at all.  They can be transplanted to your garden in the spring too if you want.  Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart all carry Rosemary trees close to Christmas.

Candles are always a great addition to the table during the Holidays as well.  Here is a tip- buy your candles after Christmas this year for next year and you'll save a ton of money.  Mixing candles and ornaments is a nice touch as well.  The ornaments will reflect your candlelight and shine.  Be sure to keep an eye on the candles to make sure they are not dripping wax on your tablecloth or getting out of hand with high flames.

More on center pieces this week.  We'd love to hear your ideas so please leave a comment.

Bring back the Tradition of sending Christmas Cards

Christmastime is nearly upon us.  This week we will be discussing how to set the Christmas table to make it festive.  Today I would like to discuss Greetings Cards for the Holidays.  So many people have gotten away from sending out Christmas Cards.  The price of postage is pretty high these days and cards are a little expensive as well but I remember the feeling I get when I go to the mailbox and there is a card waiting for me.  Now it seems the only cards I get are from my dentist and my doctor's office.

I would love to see everyone bring back the idea of sending a Christmas Card this year.  It does not matter if you buy them or create them, just send out 20 cards this year.  It won't cost much and you will will add a smile to everyone who opens your card.  For inspiration I suggest that you visit CafePress or Etsy and do a search for Vintage Christmas Cards.  I am sure you'll find something that will strike your fancy.

If you decide to send out Christmas Cards you may also want to include a short newsletter or at least a note that tells what you have been up to.  This is a great time to restart that Christmas Tradition.  Taking the time to sit down and write a card or newsletter is good for you as well.  This Christmas lets bring back Christmas Cards!

More Vintage Christmas Cards

Here is another Vintage Christmas Card I found.  This one looks to be based off of a 20s or 30s design.  These Vintage designs are popping up everywhere.  This one is really cute.  How could you go wrong with a baby and a puppy for Christmas. 

Vintage decorations are becoming more common than they were a few years ago.  I tend to shop at thrift stores, flea markets and on Ebay for Christmas Decorations.  That is what inspired me to do this blog.  I hope to have the website at http://decoratefortheholiday.com up and running very soon.  It is sometimes tough to get much done during the Holiday Season.

Vintage Designed Christmas Card is Perfect for this Year

In doing some vintage Christmas card searches, this one came up.  It looks to be based off of an old ad of some kind and is very nice.  There seem to be a lot of really nice vintage designs out there.  By clicking on the card you will be redirected to the place I found the card.  There will be some other neat vintage items found this week in the blogs to come.  If you find something very neat let us know so we can help spread the word.

Decorating for Christmas Doesn't Have to be Expensive

Thanksgiving is over and now it is time to start getting ready for Christmas.  There is really no reason to spend a ton of money decorating this year.  If you shop around you are sure to find some really good deals on Christmas Decorations.  There seems to be some trends on Vintage and Retro designs this year.  Check at Etsy.com and search for Vintage Christmas.  These will give you some ideas.

If you are using a artificial tree this year you might miss the smell of the real deal.  Stores are now carrying Christmas tree scented items to help you to have the atmosphere that a real tree gives.  Using an artificial tree will save you money in the long run and though most Christmas Tree Farms are now replacing the trees they cut, using an artificial Christmas Tree can be better on the environment. 

Be sure to check with your local craft store such as Hobby Lobby or Michael's for weekly discounts and specials.  Buying the material and making your own decorations can be fun and remind you of a time gone by.  If you have kids, it is a great way to help them to get into the spirit.  There is nothing like hanging an ornament you made yourself on your tree.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope that you have a wonderfully happy and safe Thanksgiving this year.  May your turkey be juicy and your pumpkin pie be spiced just right.

More Centerpieces for Thanksgiving

Citrus, Bittersweet and Candles

 Centerpieces for Thanksgiving can be simple and still do the trick.  Dried citrus fruit, bittersweet and candles can be perfect.  Seasonal greenery is also a good option.  Pine cones, pine branches, cedar limbs, holly leaves and berries work just fine.  If you live in a city your local Hobby Lobby, Michael's or Joann's more than likely have a nice selection of greenery to choose from.

Candlesticks adorned with dried flowers and berries can provide the ambiance you are looking for.  These can be seasonal fresh flowers, berries and vines from your local florist or dried flowers from your local hobby supply store.

The point is that the centerpiece does not have to be elaborate to convey that you care.  It can be simple and elegant without putting a lot of time into it. 

Don't forget about the kids' table.  They are a little easier to please.  Bright colors and common objects do the trick such as this pumpkin turkey with crayon tail feathers.  By using coloring book pages as place mats it will also give the kids something to do while waiting for their food.




Remember that it is all about presentation.  With a little time and effort your tablescape can give Martha Stewart a run for her money, without spending a lot of money.

Thanksgiving decorating - The Table

Though originally a community event, Thanksgiving has become more about the family.  Whether you have a large family gathering or a small intimate dinner, decoration can make the difference in a event to remember or just another dinner.  Place settings, napkin rings and a centerpiece can make all the difference.

There are several different ways to decorate the table centerpiece.  If there are a lot of children in your family, have them get together and make some Thanksgiving crafts and fashion them into a centerpiece.  One idea is to trace everyone's hands and let them color them.  Cut them out and stick them in a pine cone to make a turkey.  Then arrange the pine cones in the center of the table.

Perhaps just a few winter squash and a small pumpkin could do the trick.  Add a few taper candles for a more intimate effect.  Using the "good china" is also a way to step it up a notch.  In my family we always had no less than two tables, one for the children and one for the adults.  The kids table was always decorated in a manner fit for them and the adult table had the more breakable stuff.

It really does not make a difference how you decorate the table, it is just important that you do decorate the table.  In the next couple of weeks we will discuss more about decorating for Thanksgiving from table placement to yard decorations.  Remember decorating is fun and shows that you really care about the Holiday.