Recipe for Christmas All Year Long



A Christmas Vignette Atop  My Entertainment Center



Christmas is almost here and I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. I so enjoy writing these blog posts and thank you, my readers, for your support and encouragement. After only one year, I have been approached by a company to write articles for a blog for young women entrepeneurs.  I was also given a giveaway prize to offer my readers by another  company who liked  the "tone and style" of my blog. My statistics show that I have a growing readership globally.  None of this could have happened without all of you, my loyal readers.  To those of you who follow me or subscribe, or who have commented, I extend my appreciation.  If you like my blog, please encourage your friends and family  to subscribe and or follow me, also. If you ever have a question about any blog posts or decorating dilemmas, please contact me.  In keeping with the spirit of Christmas,  I've included this poem to help us all focus on retaining this mood throughout the year .  You will also see some holiday decorating of my own home. Last but not least, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, properous new year.



A Closer Look At Part of  My Decorated Entertainment Center



Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder

That opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life—

Each day a sweet surprise.



Santa Climbing Out of One of My Rattan Crates



Mix in fond appreciation

For the people whom we know;

Like festive Christmas candles,

Each one has a special glow.



My Christmas Dining Centerpiece



 

Add some giggles and some laughter,

A dash of Christmas food,

(Amazing how a piece of pie

Improves our attitude!)



My Family Room - Decked Out in Christmas Decor



Stir it all with human kindness;

Wrap it up in love and peace,

Decorate with optimism, and

Our joy will never cease.



A Christmas Vignette on the Landing of My Stairway



 Conical Trees Make a  Christmas Statement on My Foyer Buffet



If we use this healthy recipe,

We know we will remember

To be in the Christmas spirit,

Even when it's not December.

 

~ Poem by By Joanna Fuchs~



A Large Red Napkin Spells "Christmas"





Christmas Tree Decorating 101

A Well-Decorated Christmas Tree and Ladder - Country Living

Are you like me and just starting to tackle decorating your Christmas tree with Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” in the background and a hot cup of cocoa topped with mounds of whipped cream in hand? Sounds poetic, doesn’t it? If so, here are a few ideas to further enhance this pleasurable decorating experience.

The Ornaments on This Tree Reflect The Light From the Fireplace

To truly make your Christmas tree the focal point of the room, decide on a color scheme. Will it be red, green, and gold, or blue and silver, or pink and white? Likewise, a decorating theme will make your Christmas tree even more outstanding. You can use angels, Santas, snowflakes, seashells and starfish, or musical instruments just to name a few. Take a look at your existing ornaments to determine your color scheme and theme. You may have to purchase some additional ornaments, ribbons, and garland if there are not enough to make the color and theme statements you want. Consider incorporating natural elements such as twigs, grapevine, dried flowers, pine cones, berries and feathers to fill out bare spots in your tree.

Enhancing the White/Silver  Color Scheme By Using Snow- in- a- Can - Martha Stewart

A Nautical - Themed Christmas Tree - Coastal Living

When decorating your tree, start with the lights. To determine the number of lights you will need, multiply the height of your tree by 10 and that will give you the number of feet of lighting you will need. Before beginning, make sure all lights are working. Then starting at the bottom of your tree, weave the lights over and under the branches from the trunk outwards. To add depth and interest to the tree, you want to make sure that your lights are on the inside of the tree as well as the outside. Tuck the cord into the branches so it does not show. Don’t clump the lights together at the top of the tree as your topper should be showcased there.

Lights Wrapped Around the Branches of This Tree - HoHoHoGifts.com

Once the lights are on, start adding your garland. You can run it from the top of the tree down tucking the garland about every 2 feet going down. You can also run the garland in circles around the outside of the tree or in a circle around the trunk of the tree.

Garland Running Down the Tree - Country Living

Next place your ornaments evenly throughout the tree. Place your larger ornaments toward the bottom and inside of the tree and your smaller ornaments at the top and outside of the tree.

Incorporating Feathers As Natural Ornaments - Style1RoomService.USA

Finally, you may need an attractive eye-catching tree topper such as a star, angel, Santa, feather grouping, or bow. Place a color-coordinated skirt under your tree to hide the stand and complete the look. You can use a festive tablecloth, throw, or some silk scarves instead of purchasing a traditional tree skirt. Last but not least, add some nicely decorated packages under the tree to make it look like good old St. Nick has just come down the chimney!

 A Red Star Completes the Red Color Scheme - Coastal Living 



Blue Plaid  and Solid Scarves Serve as The Skirt - Coastal Living



Packages That Coordinate With the Tree - Southern Accents





OpenThis Door to More Holiday Decorating Ideas!



A Welcoming Holiday Wreath - HGTV

Even though I am still not ready to decorate for the holidays due to work (a good thing)  I thought I'd pass on some of these ideas to you. Don't be afraid to extend your holiday decorating ideas into the bedrooms in your home. Add greenery  - even a small Christmas tree to carry the mood throughout your home.   Small packages wrapped in festive paper topped with ribbons and bows can be placed on a nightstand to "season" your sleeping areas.  





Greenery Creates a Festive Mood in this Bedroom - Pottery Barn

 

What are you doing to welcome guests into your entry way?  Don't neglect this important area which sets the mood for the rest of your home.  Here we see  a small tree swathed in lights and some packages wrapped in holiday paper.  You could even place a collection of Santas or other  memorabilia on a foyer table to convey a festive feeling.  What about a bowl of brightly colored holiday baubles or vintage lights?  Remember those package-filled boots in the last post?

A Lit Tree and Some Wrapped Packages Welcome Guests to this "Seasoned" Home - HGTV



 A Bowl of Gifts and Greenery to Capture Your Guests' Interest - HGTV



Ever think about foregoing your traditional tree for something simpler?  Try some tree branches in a vase.  To maintain simplicity  choose a more neutral  color scheme  for your decorative items as depicted below.

Bringing Nature Inside to Accent the Holidays - House and Home

For a different look above your fireplace, hang a holiday wreath and place a  frame around it to enhance it. Your wreath will really be noticed!   Another great idea is to purchase a simple wreath and attach  fruit to it with floral picks - very popular here in the South.  Adding magnolia leaves to wreaths and garland is also very popular because they last so long.





A Framed Wreath and A Fruit- Laden Wreath - Country Living

Last but not least, what would the holidays be without a Christmas tree?   Do you have any tips  for decorating your tree?  Do you do anything special to make it outstanding?  Can you tell us a funny tree decorating story?  Leave a comment after this post.



Amazing Christmas Ideas.com - A Well Color-Rhythmed DecoratingScheme - Love The Tree Topper