Trimming the Tree, Literally

First, I should probably admit that I don't put up a tree at home.  No, I don't have a hang up about traditions or the meaning of Christmas.  We are usually out of town for Christmas and I really don't want to bother with putting one up and taking it down.  (You know how I dislike a mess.)  I'm sure in the coming years a certain little girl will insist on a tree.  I have on occasion decorated with a bowl full of ornaments or a poinsettia or two.

I did buy a fake tree for the office this year.  I take pictures of my employees' children in their Christmas finery and I thought it would be a nice prop.  So I experimented with some decorations using trims and ribbons.  Check out my tree experiments here.

Other decorating ideas around the web:

How About Orange shows you how to make cool retro ornaments out of craft foam.

Design Sponge shows you how to make some modern paper ornaments.

Visit Heather Bailey's tutorial on making yo-yos which you can hang from your tree or sew together into a garland.  (Don't forget, you can cheat and use a yo-yo maker.)

My friend, Rhonda, suggested making ornaments out of holiday themed heavy paper, using your Christmas cookie cutters as a stencil.  Then you can punch a hole in the top and string ribbon or string through to hang.  Great idea!  (Too bad she or I didn't make some and show you a picture.)

On a related note, Mommy Poppins posted on not spoiling your children at Christmas.  Downplaying the gift thing a bit.  I'm going to keep Olivia's Christmas small-- a new potty seat and a serrated bread knife.

Comments

[Jessica Jones]

Excellent. If she has her own bread knife, the next time she gets the seat stuck around her neck she can saw it off herself! Perfect!

[Rhonda]

Maybe Olivia can save herself some trouble and just saw the new seat in half before she tries to wear it. Kids love a sharp knife!