BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Budget Decor Holiday Decorating?

How is your holiday decorating going? What are you doing? We didn't do too much this year. I hung garlands in all the windows and doorways and we put up the tree. My husband and kids put candy canes and angels outside. And, there's a wreath on the door. I didn't dress up the mantel like I usually do because I've got that room overrun with a project.

What about everyone else?

Donna

I have a collection of santas that I put out on top of the buffet and china cabinets and tv. I also have a bunch of old sequin and bead ornaments that my husbands gramma made and I display those in crystal bowls.

This is the first year in about 3 years I won't be visiting my family in Oregon in either January or December so I went all out this year. All my husband's daughters and families will be here too for the first time in years.

I have a Christmas village I put out, we put up lots of lights and I put garland and lights on the stair banister. I even did a Christmas card/recipe exchange from another forum this year so I'd have lots of cards for my mantle.

I didn't put out my antique ornaments tho as kids will be here. I bought some red and silver ornaments at Walmart, put on lots of lights and a silver ribbon and the tree looks great.

Sounds wonderful joan! We have decorated the indoors this year, but my dh hasn't gotten around to the outdoor lights. I told him why bother now, it is kind of late. We used to be the first on the block with the lights up. I don't know what happened this year.

Well, I had a chance to visit my mom's house a few days before Christmas this year and she went all out. My dad collects Irish Santas and she had 2 small tables set up with those displayed. These tables were flanking a tree she created. This tree was really cool. She bought a tomato cage and turned it upside down so that the narrow end was at the top. Then she covered it with 4 long strands of green garland. She topped it with a star and hung all her nutcracker ornaments on it. I just loved it and thought it was really clever! She had all of this set up in her dining room bay window.

She also created a wreath using items from Michaels and topped it with a beautiful large bow she made using a bow maker. She gave my daughter one of these bow makers - I'll have to check and see what it's called.

Donna

Your mom sounds very creative Donna...I love the tomato cage tree. I had to look up what an Irish Santa looks like...

LOL - Connie. I have one of those Irish Santas - from the clothtique collection. I gave one to my Dad the same year which started his collection. I was stunned to see how many cool Santa's he's collected since then. We usually visit them for Thanksgiving and they come to us for Christmas, so it had been a while since I'd seen Mom's decorations. Man...I shoulda been collecting those Santa's all thist time, too. LOL

Donna

So has anyone taken down their decorations, yet? We usually do ours New Years weekend, but I got a cold and was too tired to finish it this year. I did pack up the tree and ornaments, though with the help of 2 of my kiddos and hubby. Next I need to pack up all the cutsie figurines.

It was fun while it lasted. Now I just have to go thru it all again next year - my kids are already asking me which tree I'll choose! LOL

Donna

I did want to comment on what everyone else did! Connie, I take it your Santa's are the traditional red & black suit? How many are in your collection?

Joanj - you must have had an exciting Christmas with everyone coming to you for a change! Everything sounded wonderful! How did it go? What did your family think of your decorations?

Sue - we didn't really do much outside this year, either. I missed it because our house is at the end of the cul-de-sac and the only one you see driving down the whole street. But, it was nice to get the indoors done. I'm starting to notice that I change things from year to year, anyway. So what did you do indoors? I'd love to know!

Donna

I am not sure how many Santas I have, not too many. Maybe I have 5 that are pottery type. Then I have some wooden ones. My favorite are 2 candle stick holders and one is Mrs. Clause and the other Mr. Clause. They are the spagetti style. My sister loves those and has quite a collection.

I took down everything a couple of weeks ago. It was nice to see it all go back downstairs, but I really enjoy it being up.