The air is filled with anticipation, a gentle hum of holiday magic, and the undeniable glow of our freshly decorated Christmas tree! This year, we’re not just putting up a tree; we’re unveiling a vibrant masterpiece crafted with love, ingenuity, and a touch of eco-conscious flair. As the lights twinkle and the colorful ornaments catch the eye, it truly feels like a beacon of festive cheer has landed right in our living room.
Every year, the tradition of decorating our Christmas tree is a highlight, but this season, we embraced a particular set of guiding principles that truly transformed our approach. Our goal was to create a stunning, joyful display without the usual holiday hustle and bustle of shopping trips or extensive spending. We wanted our decor to reflect our values of resourcefulness and family-first considerations.
- **Embracing Resourcefulness with “Free Stuff We Already Had”:** Our primary rule was to use only items we already owned. This meant no last-minute dashes to the store, which often turn into time-consuming expeditions. The joy came from rediscovering hidden treasures within our craft bins and storage boxes, giving them a new life and purpose. This approach not only saved money but also injected a unique, personal touch into our holiday decor.
- **Prioritizing Safety with “Nothing Pointy/Hard/Breakable”:** With our little one, Clara (our “bean”), safety was paramount. We made a conscious decision to avoid any ornaments that could pose a hazard. This rule encouraged us to think creatively, focusing on soft, lightweight, and resilient materials, ensuring that our tree was beautiful but also completely child-friendly.
- **A Burst of Joy with “Color, Color, Color”:** Much like our vibrant tabletop tree in the living room, we wanted our full-sized tree to be a kaleidoscope of hues. This wasn’t the year for monochromatic elegance; instead, we aimed for an explosion of cheerful colors that would bring warmth and cheer to our home. This theme allowed us to play with various shades and textures, resulting in a truly dynamic and inviting display.
So, with these playful yet practical guidelines, our beloved full-sized Christmas tree underwent a magnificent transformation. If you’re curious about its past looks, you can revisit its incarnations from 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 here. This year’s rendition, however, stands out for its unique blend of creativity and sustainability, predominantly featuring leftover paint chips from my overflowing craft bin.
It might seem unusual to save old paint chips, but I’ve found them to be an incredibly versatile and free resource for various DIY projects. My collection has grown over the years, proving invaluable for creative endeavors. For instance, these vibrant swatches previously inspired this abstract art project, transforming simple paper into striking wall decor.
They also played a starring role in a temporary postcard ledge arrangement in the office of our first home, adding a pop of ever-changing color and interest to a plain wall.
And now, these humble paint chips have found their latest and arguably most festive purpose as unique ornaments for this year’s Christmas tree.
The process of transforming these paint chips into charming ornaments was incredibly simple, yet highly satisfying. First, I meticulously cut each leftover Benjamin Moore paint chip into narrow strips. Depending on the size of the original chip, I could typically yield two to three individual ornaments from each. This maximization of materials further emphasized our “use what you have” philosophy. Once cut, a standard hole puncher was used to create a small, neat hole at one end of each strip.
With the holes punched, the next step was to add the hanging element. I dipped into my trusty craft bin and pulled out an assortment of twine and string, selecting colors and textures that complemented the vibrant paint chips. Each piece of string was looped through the punched hole, creating a simple yet elegant hanger. The result? A tree adorned with what I affectionately call “modern little colorful icicles.” They cascade down the branches, creating a lively and contemporary look that’s both playful and chic. And, of course, the fact that they cost absolutely nothing adds an extra layer of sweetness to their charm.
Beyond the charming paint chip ornaments, another significant decorative element on our tree comes from a few spools of ribbon, salvaged from our gift wrapping closet. These were a fantastic clearance find from Michael’s last Christmas, proving that patience truly pays off when it comes to snagging great deals. We simply unrolled each spool, found its center point, and draped it over the very top of the tree. This technique allowed the same length of ribbon to cascade down each side of the tree, creating an elegant, upside-down V shape that added both softness and structure to the overall design. Complementing the tree’s base, our “tree skirt” is actually composed of three faux sheepskins from Ikea. These cozy, textural elements have become a delightful holiday tradition in our home, adding warmth and a touch of Nordic-inspired comfort beneath the twinkling lights.
To crown our colorful creation, I even had enough leftover ribbon to fashion a simple yet charming bow for the very top of the tree. It’s the perfect finishing touch, adding a touch of classic elegance and a hint of personality. This year, our tree definitely has a feminine grace about her.
As you glance at this next picture, you’ll likely notice a couple of interesting details that reveal a bit about our holiday preparations and ongoing projects.
- **Catching Up with Our Advent Calendar:** When these photos were taken, we hadn’t quite “caught up” with our advent calendar yet. The excitement of getting the main tree up meant we snapped these pictures almost immediately! However, since then, Clara and I have had a wonderful time hanging 12 advent ornaments on the tree, eagerly anticipating each day’s reveal. We’re now back on track, adding one special ornament a day, building the suspense and joy towards Christmas.
- **A Glimpse of Kitchen Mantel Decor:** You’ll also spot some quick, festive mantel decorating in the kitchen. Let’s take a closer look at how we transformed this space into another holiday focal point.
Our kitchen mantel, often a blank canvas, has been beautifully adorned with a collection of cherished holiday items. On the floor below, I placed a few slender feather trees, which I acquired from Target a few years back. Their delicate texture and natural aesthetic add an ethereal touch. Perched gracefully on the mantel itself are two elegant ceramic birds, reminiscent of serene white Christmas doves, which I discovered at an estate sale several years ago. These timeless pieces bring a touch of vintage charm. Nestled alongside them is the adorable little thrift store rocking horse that I lovingly painted for Clara (you can read more about that project here). And, of course, no mantel is complete without stockings! We hung our festive stockings, also from Target a few years ago, with a playful twist this year – they’re hung backwards, just to “spice things up” and add an unexpected detail.
At first glance, it might appear that only three stockings hang from the mantel, suggesting our beloved canine companion, Burger, might have been left out of the holiday cheer. But rest assured, Burger is an integral part of our family, and he absolutely has his own stocking! John and I actually share one stocking, affectionately labeled “Mom and Dad,” a tradition that simplifies things and highlights our togetherness. Alongside it hangs Clara’s stocking, filled with anticipation for her treats, and then, proudly displayed, is Burger’s very own stocking, ready for his special holiday surprises.
To complete the fireplace decor, I also strategically placed a charming basket brimming with “gifts” inside. These aren’t actual presents, but rather cleverly crafted fakers that add visual appeal and a sense of bounty without the clutter of real gifts before Christmas morning. If you’re curious about how I created these convincing decorative parcels, you can find the details here. They truly enhance the festive atmosphere, making the fireplace a warm and inviting focal point even before Santa’s arrival.
One of the most delightful aspects of the new doorway connecting our kitchen and dining room is the unexpected gift of enjoying the beautiful Christmas tree from multiple vantage points. From the kitchen, as I go about daily tasks or prepare holiday meals, I can now catch glimpses of the twinkling lights and colorful ornaments. See how it peeks invitingly around the corner of the opening? This seamless visual connection truly elevates the holiday experience throughout our home.
This wonderful view would never have been possible if that wall hadn’t come down a little while ago. The decision to open up the space has paid dividends, especially during the holidays, creating an expansive, interconnected feel. Yay, demo! It’s incredible how structural changes can profoundly impact the way we live and celebrate.
There’s a special joy in seeing festive decorations spread throughout the house. The magnificent big tree in the dining room, the charming holiday mantel in the kitchen, and our sweet tabletop tree in the living room – each space contributes to a symphony of holiday cheer. Ah, Christmastime, how do I love thee? Let me count the trees, and the countless ways your magic fills our home.
So, that’s a comprehensive tour of the inside of our house, all decked out and ready for the festive season! Well, almost all of it. I still have an exciting holiday frame gallery project to photograph and share with all of you. But that’s not all! For the very first time ever, we’ve also embarked on decorating the exterior of our house. We’re talking dazzling lights that illuminate the night, twinkling stars adorning the eaves, a beautifully homemade wreath gracing the front door, and even some bright red ceramic-looking reindeer adding a whimsical touch to the yard. That’s right, we’ve gone all out this year to spread holiday cheer both inside and out. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts with pictures as soon as we can capture the magic and write up all the details!
Psst- We’ll be back with an exciting kitchen update tomorrow! Many of the projects we’re currently tackling are incredibly detail-oriented and demand meticulous craftsmanship. For instance, we’re in the process of carefully cutting down an old cabinet to create a smaller, custom piece that perfectly “matches” the existing kitchen cabinetry and ingeniously houses a built-in microwave, optimizing both aesthetics and functionality. It’s a slow and steady process, but we’re moving as quickly as we can to bring our vision to life!
Update: If you’re looking for inspiration or budget-friendly holiday finds, you can explore all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are stylish and incredibly affordable, often priced under $15!