Decorating for Christmas With What You Have

Decorating for Christmas is a Family Tradition

Decorating for Christmas is a tradition in my family. In my earliest memories, we had two Christmas trees—a fresh pine in the family room and a shiny aluminum tree in the living room. Over the years, the decorations became much more lavish. By the time I had children, Christmas at my parent’s house was a holiday wonderland with garlands and bows everywhere, Santas and angels as tall as toddlers, and a giant wreath above the fireplace mantel hung which was hung with 30+ hand-beaded stockings.  Every year there were multiple trips to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby for fresh ribbon and floral picks, more green garland and who knows what else. 

Christmases in my own home were less extravagant, but every year we added to our ornament collection by buying an ornament for each child and hanging the ones we made. My children loved hanging their ornaments each year, the ones they made, the annual ornaments from us, and the ones my mother bought for them. All of those ornaments still hang on our tree every Christmas.

I love decorating for Christmas with what I already have, and adding only meaningful changes and additions. For example, this wreath from the 80’s is much the same as it was hanging over my parents’ fireplace. I freshened it up with some glass balls and pinecones purchased at an estate sale.

Decorating for Christmas in a New Home

Last year was the first Christmas in our current home. Our tall tree fit perfectly in the family room with its vaulted ceiling.  Every ornament on this tree has a story. Some are from my childhood, others from travels; some are gifts from my mother to me or my children. We have handmade ornaments–some made by tiny hands–and collectable ornaments of china or blown glass.

Stockings and Santas

After years of hanging on the handrail of the stairs, our stockings finally had the perfect mantel to hang on. Each stocking is designed by my daughters and me and handmade especially for the person who’s small gifts it will hold Christmas morning.

A Gift from the House

All of our familiar decorations look right at home in this house! In addition to providing perfect spaces for all of our decorations, the house held its own gift for us! Amidst drifts of insulation in the attic, we found some sparkly tinsel poking out of a box.

The tinsel turned out to be a real treasure—a complete aluminum Christmas tree in mint condition! Now– just like in my childhood–we have a tinsel tree in the living room!

Decorating with What You Have

Our decorations are not themed, matching or new, but every decoration has memories and love attached. I put the pieces together differently every year.

Hints for Refurbishing the Decorations You Have

• Use white spray paint to freshen white decorations. Use silver or gold for sparkle.
• Use micro-fiber dusters or a blow dryer to remove dust.
• Add fresh ribbon or greenery to wreaths, garlands, trees. Floral picks and ribbon go on sale after Thanksgiving at Hobby Lobby, JoAnn and Michael’s.
• Add glass balls purchased from estate sales for richness of color, shine, and glow.
• Group decorations thematically–baby’s first, santas, angels.
• Put decorations in unexpected places.
• Mix textures, colors, and surfaces–shiny, matte, sparkle, brass, silver, bisque, etc.
• Add light–string lights, twinkle lights, candles, lamps, led’s; mix precious and fun.