Merry Christmas

Welcome one and all to my Christmas post . I wanted just to show you all how I decorated the house for Christmas this year. This is my first year with a proper house to decorate myself and our new livingroom meant a lot of decorating fun. The pictures below should show what I have been up to - although my displays seem to change on a nearly daily basis as I change my mind as to what should be be where and find extra bits that fit!

For the tree I started by unwrapping all my baubles so that I could clearly see what I had to work with. I put the lights on first of all and then add the baubles ( I tend to buy 3 of each and place them so that they form a visual triangle) Try and place clear baubles in front of the light bulbs to add interest. Last of all I add the ribbons and strings (or tinsel if you prefer). For the ribbon I use ribbon that has wire around the edges and curl it tightly around the spool. Then it stays coiled as I pull it off and lay it straight on to the tree.

I have always been a sparkly bauble kind of girl - they were my favourites on my mums tree. I stick mostly to round baubles but this year I fell for some onion shaped baubles with strands of glass inside. They are beautiful and I also added some plastic snowflakes. These add interest and really throw the lights.


I should also briefly mention that my tree only looks like this because I don't currently have children. I am enjoying being able to have delicate glass ornaments and precision placement while I can.  I will be employing more family friendly techniques when I have children and I will love that just as much.

I love snowflakes in most shapes and sizes and these ones are more 3d than most allowing for a beautiful deflection of light

These amazing baubles have textured glass on the inside making them appear to be full of frost or snow. They also have a mesmerising iridescent glow.

My favourite new baubles with glass strands that stretch from one side to the other.

Most of the baubles on my tree were bought from Appleton Christmas Tree Barn. Well worth a visit if you live in Oxfordshire. They have a fantastic range and are lovely people to boot. They also sell wonderful fresh cut trees.


Next up is my sideboard display. A new space that I will be using just decoratively I think as it brings me so much enjoyment!

 From left to right we have a candle votive with twigs in (used to be a candle itself but once it hollowed out I just used tea lights inside to light it.)  A tall vase with large pine cones. A cut glass biscuit barrel that I have put a candle in to (not lit). In front a crackle glass jar with Buttons in brown and cream shades.A collection of old keys. My hurricane lamp (see earlier posts). A collection of church candles various heights and in front a rusted street scene silhouette. Then a recycled glass bowl of small pine cones (collected when I picked my sloes). Another crackle glass button jar and twig votive. Behind 2 goldfish bowls (from a friends wedding) filled with the rusty nails we pulled from the floor!
  On the mirror I have adhered some glass snowflakes.

I still have to share with you my door wreath tutorial (caught a passer-by admiring it whilst walking her dog the other day - which secretly pleased me as I made it from collected twigs)

Hope you have a fun New year xx