A Simpler Christmas....and my Decorating Dilemma Solved!

We were so excited to adopt our two kitties in September. We never thought about having to worry about the Christmas tree in December. My last kitty never bothered the tree or any of my decorations.

And then there was Cyrus. To catch up on my Christmas decorating dilemma, you can click here.

So to solve this dilemma I decided to go with a wall tree as seen in my last post. Except my tree would go on my double pocket doors instead of a wall in the living room.

 

I bought some Command hooks and just started sticking them to the door. I have had the garland from when we first moved into this house 19 years ago (I save stuff!) so I just shaped it in a tree pattern.

Some red bulbs and my hand made paper tree topper and done! I didn't do any lights because of the cord hanging down for playful kitty eyes to see.

Lots of room underneath to put the gifts

 

 

I found the small vintage ornaments at the public market. They add just the right touch.

 

The simpler tree inspired me to go simpler everywhere else I usually decorate in the house for Christmas. You may not think some of it is simpler, but for me, it is!! I have so many decorations, but this year only a quarter of them will be used.

I have at least four nativity sets that I love to display and this vintage one is my favorite. When I saw
how Lori  at Dining Delight displayed hers, I fell in love and had to try it.

 

I just happened to find the glass cloche at JoAnn's on sale. I set it all up on a red cake plate with a

small light to shine through.

  



My parlor mantel changes every year and it is usually done up with a huge wreath, stockings hung from the mantel, and a yule log in front of the fire plate. Not going to work this year.



 

I found the vintage picture at an estate sale on my street this summer. It is a woven tapestry framed in a gorgeous vintage frame. It makes me think of "over the river and to the woods to Grandmother's house we go"! I knew it would go great with the vintage ceramic set of trees, carolers and a horse and sleigh I found last year at my favorite thrift store.

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the room are my wing chairs and antique table with the window seat behind it. I usually really embellish this area but again, not this year. I am taking a huge chance with just the three trees on my table! The one on the left is a thrifted safety pin beaded tree.

 



 

Just some hand made star pillows from my sister on the window seat.

 

 

In the dining room I always decorate the top of my cupboards. I have been collecting vintage deer so it is a woodland theme again this year.

 



 

The table centerpiece gets changed up every year. I was inspired to use my fabulous snowmen made by my artist friend Michelle. The little trees were made by Donna at Distressed Donna Down Home. I had to have them!

 

 

 

This is where the aqua tree I made of vintage, rusty metal parts a few months ago is....for now. I keep changing my mind on where things will stay every time I walk through the house. Do you do that?!

 

That blue thing to the left near the baseboard is a kitty toy!

 

Or maybe it looks better here?

 

 



 My husband and I both had to sacrifice putting up our own tree this year.....his is a super hero tree and mine is a snowman tree. He found a solution for his....

 

Just a simple centerpiece on the kitchen island with a few other things here and there and the kitchen is decorated.

 

 

The ornament is just one of the many treasures I received from Pam in an ornament exchange I joined. She made this one.

 

 

This is one of the other things in the kitchen and it covers three categories....thrifted, vintage and kitschy! I had to have him.

 

The snowman plate is from an Estate sale. The woman sold something her grandchild made her!! I bought it for $1!

 



 

If you are still with me, I have one more thing to show you. Every year I make a few things for gifts.

 

Totally forgetting that I bought a stocking last year at an after Christmas sale (I have too much stuff to keep track of!), I bought this one at a sale recently to decorate for my daughter and her husband. I still hang stockings on the hall banister for my  husband, son, daughters and their husbands, and my grandchildren, and fill them every year. I never did like the one I had for my oldest daughter Candice and her husband Matt. They live in a cottage in the woods and their house is decorated in woodland colors. This stocking is just their style (even though it will be hanging in my house!).

 

 

I printed out some cutouts online of trees and a deer and cut them out of felt. I added some snowflakes and snowballs. 

 

 

 

Done!

 

With this post too!

 

AnnMarie xoxo



 

 

 

P.S. The edit version does not show all the misaligned sentences for me to fix. Drives me crazy trying to fix them....I've tried everything I know. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

 

 

I am linking up with these great blog parties: 

 

Share Your Cup Thursday

Vintage Charm

 Best of the Weekend

Pink Saturday

Home Sweet Home

Amaze Me Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Creating Christmas

Let's Talk Vintage

Roses of Inspiration

Vintage Inspiration Party

Home and Garden Thursday

Come As You Are Christmas Open House

Christmas Around the World