Need a fresh look for your holiday decorating this year? Clear the tabletops and mantel, and start by using the best resource there is – nature and what you already own.
Pine, White Pine, Hemlock, boxwood or holly branches from your yard make for a realistic and fragrant base for your mantel-scape; ornaments and beaded garland that usually end up on the tree, can be used to add sparkle, texture and depth to the greenery. On my mantel, I cut White Pine branches from the trees in my yard, and layered in starfish ornaments to not only reinforce the nature theme, but to make a connection to the “marsh” themed art over the mantel. That silver footed dish is from the dining room.
There's a treasure trove in your bookcases: take the book jackets off, and look for colors that will work with your color scheme this year. Tie them together with burlap, ribbon or twine, and you have a new decoration to add to your collection. Or easel a special holiday book – it’s like a little piece of art when the title is sweet.
Cake or footed plates remain one of the most versatile ways of displaying and elevating your treasured ornaments, holiday collections, greenery, garlands, or figurines. Don’t have a cake plate? Create one by placing a plate on top of a glass. Temporarily attach the plate to the glass using poster putty or museum wax.
Everything looks prettier under glass. Cloche’s are the perfect way to show off special holiday décor. I have an especially large cloche I scored at a consignment store, so I had room to use books to elevate a vintage bottle brush tree from my childhood…thanks Mom.
Candlesticks – skip the candles and place something else on top like ornaments, a small music box, a little tree, anything that will fit and make you smile.
Last but not least, use framed photos of holidays past to go down memory lane with family and friends. They are so personal, and an incredibly meaningful holiday decoration that no one else will have.