Pimping Out Your Tree

I'm behind on Christmas decorating this year, I usually like to have it done by the day after Thanksgiving, but out of town visitors, the flu, another round of the flu, things just didn't get done.  So, this year I'm scrambling.  After my two week long fight with my pre-lit tree, you can read about that here,  I have finally completed the decorating, just in time to enjoy it for five seconds before I have to take it down.  UGH.  That's why I like to have everything done early, it's such a shame to work so hard to put a tree together, and then turn around and take it down.

Christmas Ornament Storage Solution

For years I have dealt with the anxiety of unpacking and re-packing my collection of Christmas tree ornaments.  I don't know if it's simple laziness, or the fear that something might break, but it's been a constant source of stress.  Maybe stress isn't the best word, it's more like DREAD!  Probably the worst thing about Christmas.....the setting up is a bit exciting, but the post New Year's Day cleanup, well it's downright depressing. I could do an entire post on glitter removal, it's daunting to face a brand new year and then add in the post-celebratory cleanup of decor! HATE.

Ghosts of Christmas Trees Past

DONNY AND MARIE DOLLS, WHAT BETTER CHRISTMAS GIFT?  SANTA YOU ROCKED IT!

Every December, I have fights with Christmas trees.  Decorating, lights, nothing seems to work like I want it to, or I can't figure out a way to make my 'vision' come to fruition.  I don't know why I obsess about the tree decorating, but I do.  I've been known to get up in the middle of the night and re-decorate an entire tree.  It's a sickness really.

Festive Ribbon Wreath

I'm a giant hypocrite! I know, I know, I recently professed my traditional distaste for wreaths, but now I've made about 7 different varieties in six weeks time.  I'm back on board people!  It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind right?  I am loving wreaths.  There, I  said it. I saw this ADORABLE  ribbon wreath by Ellen over at The Long Thread before Halloween, and it's been nagging at my 'right brain' since!  It's was too easy and too chic to pass up!

Holiday Santa Hat Craft

When I first began spending my late nights in the DIY and craft blogosphere, I became so inspired by Sarah over at Thrifty Decor Chick that I practically stalked her blog. The ideas and inspiration.....limitless.  I have already utilized a bunch of styrofoam cones in a project I'll debut a bit later this month, but when I saw this idea for hand crafted Santa hats, I just had to share. FAB FAB FAB.  LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Oh Christmas Cards, Oh Christmas Cards

Now that the final turkey casserole has been eaten, time to get the cards out!  I remember my mom writing her holiday cards out night after night, with long notes and sometimes letters written in cursive on steno paper.  So glad that I am able to keep up with my friends and family on Facebook and via email, the handwritten cards that mom did seemed so labor intensive.  Hers were certainly more personal and beautiful, the handwritten card is an art form that is sadly being lost.

CPR for Failing Artificial Christmas Tree

One particular artificial tree usually finds a home in my front room this time of year.  I love this tree because it has branches that continue all the way down to the floor, and since we don't place gifts under said tree, I think the down-swept branches look nicer than a big exposed piece of dark green PVC pipe.  The above image is from 2009, happier times for this tree and I.  When I unpacked this pre-lit bad boy this year, I was bummed to see that eight of the ten light strands were not working.  OYE.