There are a few more holiday projects going on (aka: getting crossed off the list – woot!) so let’s get right into it. Last year I grabbed four of these 3-packs of white felt tree ornaments from Target. I picked them up about a week after Christmas when they were marked down to ten cents per set instead of a dollar, which meant that in total I had 12 mini felt trees for 40 cents. They seemed kinda perfect to make a casual little banner that looks like hand-cut paper but is actually felt that I didn’t have to cut (which is win/win). Sidenote: this is my hand but it looks so much like John’s that it’s scary. Are we becoming one person? Can that happen? Should the person that we’re morphing into be called Shon or Jerry?
Anyway, next I grabbed a random ribbon remnant from the box of leftover ribbon in the closet that I recycle for gift wrapping and laid it out on the floor with my little trees under it to see the spacing. You can see that they had little gold strings around the top of them for hanging, so I just clipped those off.
Then I grabbed 12 paperclips from the office supply drawer. Bada bing, bada boom. Sure, I could’ve sewed them each in place or used smaller/cuter clips (like mini clothespins or something) but I didn’t want to be fussy about it and just wanted to make the window look festive using things we already had around the house. Call me crazy but there’s something deliciously casual and sweet about white felt trees, navy ribbon, and little silver paperclips. But if you’re feeling fancy you could get cute binder clips or teeny tiny clothespins instead.
Behold… another mini tree!
Yup, our tabletop tree is ba-aaack! You can check out last year’s mini tree here (and the 38 homemade ornaments that I whipped up for last year’s Pinterest Challenge). Or you can just feast your eyes on this year’s beauty. Oh but don’t mind that mangled little gray pashmina I tossed under it for the time being (I think using some sort of silver faux fur could be awesome).
As for the ornaments the only theme is: meaningful, sweet, handmade, and treasured. Basically in the words of Clara, it’s full of our “special special favorites.”
We piled on a ton of ornaments that we love love love – whether they were from a local craft fair – like the Virginia ornament below – or even from a few amazingly crafty readers at book tour stops, like this sweet one with Clara’s baby silhouette…
Look at this fun felt YHL one that someone else made for us at another book tour stop. So cute, right? And in the background above it you can see John’s bike ornament that I got him last year and an old disco ball from Target over five years ago (along with a small brass french horn, which is what John played in high school band – mah man).
This odd little moose-related ornament might be our favorite. It’s two freshly wedded moose snuggling up to each other. We picked it up on Alaska on our honeymoon. Cue the collective moose aww.
Another favorite is this burger one that we bought in honor of none other than the Burg-meister a few years back. And check out that cute felt owl above it (another reader-made ornament from one of our tour stops- have I mentioned how crafty you guys are?!).
Basically it’s a tree full of awesomely mismatched and meaningful treasures. You can see that our homemade antlers, spray painted animals, & glass bulbs full of brightly colored paint still have a spot up there, they just get to be surrounded by everything from preserved gingerbread cookies to an old empire state building ornament that reminds us of our time spent in NY where we met back in 2005.
And of course we had to bring our new DIYed chalkboard into the festivities, so John faced his chalk-is-screechy fears and made a little Starbucks-ish drawing, complete with a snowman (he dipped the chalk in water before writing, which you guys suggested for vibrant colors and less chill-inducing screechiness – which seemed to work well, especially with the colored chalk). You might have seen it on instagram last week. I added some snowflakes and then Clara got to work drawing “a pretty rainbow for Santa.” The family that chalks together stays together.
Now this formerly un-festive corner makes me straight up jolly.
Oh and in the spirit of holiday updates, here’s how the little ornaments that I glued to magnets are now faring with three holidays cards up there to keep them company. I’m happy to report that they still look just as cute as they did without cards. And since we snapped this pic yesterday afternoon three more cards came. Woot! I love finding them in the mailbox. #cardnerd
Oh and check out this amaaazing advent calendar we got from our friends the Pohls in Germany (their three year old daughter named Clara is our Clara’s penpal – more on that here). They sent this traditional German advent calendar where you unwrap each envelope or box to find little treats like a tiny doll, candy, stickers, even a small package of colorful tissues. So far Clara has been having a blast opening one thing per day.
So there you have our holiday updates.
set up the big tree (gradient, baby!)get a live tabletop tree again (like we did last year)decorate the mantel, the built-ins, and the entryway console- hang our outside lights & decorate the front porch
shoot a Christmas picture of Clara & Burger for our annual holiday cardmake an advent calendar for Clara? Ahh I’m behind already!- shop for slash make all the gifts on our Christmas list (I’m about 90% done, can’t wait to cross this sucker off!)
We still haven’t hung any lights out front (ack!) or finished all of our Christmas shopping/wrapping, but maybe this weekend we’ll get there. What’s left on your Christmas to-do list? What have you euphorically crossed off already? Is it not amazing to drag a pen across things that you’ve completed? Maybe I need List-Crossers Anonymous. Anyone else having fun with a tabletop tree, homemade banners, or anything else that feels sweetly handmade? Spill the holiday beans.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Mona O | Renters in Love says
How has the magnetic primer on the chalkboard been faring for you guys? I’ve read really disparate reviews on the stuff. :/
YoungHouseLove says
It’s been working fine for us so far. From our previous experience with it we know it takes lots of coats to work well (we did 4 on this piece).
-John
Kara says
Is it working strong, or do the magnets attach weakly? I tried using magnetic primer before, and I think we applied 2-3 coats. And those cheap flimsy magnets (think business card sized that places like pizza joints and doctors give out for free) are the only ones “light” enough to stick. Anything else kept sliding down.
YoungHouseLove says
The magnets grab hold if they’re good magnets. Maybe that’s the key: good strong magnets and a few coats of magnet paint (you have to apply it correctly too, like if you don’t shake it well the particles are at the bottom so it won’t be as strong).
xo
s
Diane says
Sooo disappointed to get another e-mail from Amazon saying there’s an unexpected delay from their suppliers and our book is now estimated delivery 31 Dec – 7 January !!! Boo hoo. Ordered it back in October!! Gutted it won’t be here in time for Christmas and wishing you guys were not so popular, ha ha!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
What the heck?! That’s so annoying! I’m so sorry!! What the heck is going on there? According to our publisher they have over 2000 books, so I hope they surprise you and have it in your hot little hands a whole lot sooner!
xo
s
Holly says
Love the chalkboard backdrop! Especially with the Clara art!
Sherry – I was at the Living Social craft and book signing and you guessed my baby’s gender as being a boy! YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!!! Little baby boy comes in April and we are over the moon. Happy Holidays!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoooo! My baby knowledge knows no bounds. Haha. I base it all on your belly’s shape so it’s hardly scientific. Ha.
xo
s
Kara says
So that’s where Clara gets it from!
Annelies says
This is why I like Christmas ! I love the banner, such a clever idea. And a table top tree it such a great idea to put all the meaningful and special ornaments. And chalkboards are the best! I have two small ones in the shape of birds and I love writing small messages or drawing stuff on it. Also love the advent calendar, so nice they made time to create all these little gifts and send it over to you. Good luck with the final to-do’s on your list !
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
love the Clara ornament and how she helps to decorate!
Linda Williamson says
Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me!
I woke up this morning, and my hubby surprised me with your book for my birthday! He is always making fun of how I reference you all like we’re best friends. When stuff comes up in the house, I’m always saying, “Well, Young House Lovers say…” and “oh, I think John and Sherry have dealt with that before!” Poor man just fed into my little obsession :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so sweet! Happy birthday! Hope you love the book!
xo
s
Melody says
I had to laugh at your Shon and Jerry comment. One of my old art professors taught me that married people start to look more and more alike the longer they are together. The reason being that you adopt the other person’s facial expressions which in turn develops the corresponding muscles in your own face.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! How do we explain morphing hands? Maybe we make the same gestures? Hahah!
xo
s
Rebecca says
I did almost the same thing with those felt trees from Target! I bought them in all 5 colors, tied two of each on some hemp twine, and hung them by the kitchen.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
jessica says
great minds this alike! i also purchased those target tree ornaments for .10 each last year in white, teal, purple & green – and they are my ‘garnish’ for all of my presents this year. pays off to be “those people” shopping for christmas 358 days early! merry christmas!
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Jeremy says
John-Just when I thought you couldn’t get any cooler you go and totally redeem yourself. HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH HORN PLAYERS UNITE! I know that in the normal world this is considered, well, geeky. In my world infinite coolness!
YoungHouseLove says
Hah, thanks Jeremy. We are infinitely cool for having played the french horn aren’t we? And ten points for the Dumb and Dumber reference.
-John
Diane says
Plus cat and dog lover. How cool is that?
Dawn says
Hey there! Love the tree garland and the mini tree. “Special special favorites” make for the sweetest trees! I wanted to ask about your painted chalkboard. I recently painted my pocket door the separates my kitchen from my formal dining room with chalkboard paint. I used Valspar. I put three (or four??…I lost track at some point) coats and let it dry for almost a week before I showed my girls. The very first time they wrote on it, it started chipping. In several places. Not huge spots but very noticeable since the door underneath was white. I’m repainting it this weekend but wondered if you had any advice? Have you had any problems with yours? I’ve googled it and don’t find much on it. What I did find said that it happens and you just have to be willing to repaint. ?? I don’t like that answer. :(
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no, maybe you got a bad batch? Did you shake it a lot before applying it (the magnetic particles can all settle to the bottom unless you shake it)? Did you apply thin and even coats? I think thick ones might be more apt to chip. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Jayme says
Oh my goodness!! That’s my squirrel front and center on your tree! I’m so excited and happy that he’s nestled his way onto your “special special” tree!! Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
We love him Jayme! He got a special place of squirrel honor!
xo
s
Koliti says
Just love the pic of your “Jolly Corner”.
It’s a perfect shot of John’s crafted chalkboard which is an ever-changing art/creativity center and your family mini-tree with the sweetest ornaments.
Also love that Clara is a lefty! (I’m a lefty ,too.)
Is there anyone else in your family who’s a lefty?
YoungHouseLove says
My brilliant dad and my BFF are both lefties! So proud of my little leftie girl.
xo
s
Angela M says
Your banner is so cute and so much easier than the one Im doing for my sons room! He has one of those white floating Ikea shelves in his room that I’m trying to make time to decorate! I printed a Christmas flag template I found online and mod podging it to thicker card stock type paper then gluing it to ribbon so I can hang it across his shelf. Im about 30% done… but I did get some yarn pom poms made with deep red colored yarn to hang! Also glued some green felt balls to a styrofoam Christmas tree and glued a ribbon tied in a bow on top! Im so excited! Its the little things :) Love crafting
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so sweet!!
xo
s
Diane says
Love the mini tree!
We have a mini tree tradition in our family as well. When we were first married my mother-in-law had trouble remembering which ornaments belonged to which child to send with them to their own homes. So, when we starting having kids we kept their ornaments separate and they each have their own mini tree in their rooms for their own ornaments that they made or received as gifts. Each year they could not wait to get their trees up!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s really sweet!
xo
s
Diane says
Oh, almost forgot. I also saved their first pair of baby shoes to hang on their tree as an ornament! When they wear men’s 11, it’s hard for them to believe their feet ever fit in those adorable shoes!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Christy Niebaum says
I did a very simple fishing line garland thing with purple and silver ornaments of various textures for our mantel. It’s simple, but very jolly!
Dana says
John, how have I “known” you for so long and never knew you played French horn?? Fellow horn player right here – started in 4th grade and played through high school (and yes, I was the only 4th grader lugging a French horn back and forth to school). #bandnerds4ever
Happy Holidays to you and yours!!
YoungHouseLove says
Nice! High fives for band nerds – especially french horn geeks!
-John
Amanda E says
I totally pinned your German Advent “calendar” – such a great idea! And nothing to store for next year… just reuse/recycle the wrappings! :)
http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418923554/
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, isn’t that sweet? Have fun!
xo
s
Heather says
Have you guys heard of Chalkboard Pens? I just read about them on another blog yesterday. They sound awesome and would eliminate that chalk squeak that makes you cringe! Google them! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we read they can “ghost” (leaver permanent marks) so we’re leery of them. Maybe someday we’ll give them a try!
xo
s
Michelle DuPuis says
So happy to see the Clara ornament I made for you up on the tree! Have you guys been collecting ornaments from the states you’ve visited on the book tour? By next year you’d probably have enough for a book tour/places we’ve been tree.
I love the felt garland too. So simple! And Clara’s rainbow is adorable. I’m sure Santa will love it! ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re collecting every last ornament from every stop! So much fun!
xo
s
Dawn says
I made a cute Snowman Rustic Art thing for my mantle. And we’re going to make Star Wars ornaments out of Legos for the Man Cave tree. You can see the Snowman Art here…. http://lifewiththegirlnextdoor.blogspot.com/2012/12/creating-rustic-snowman-art.html
YoungHouseLove says
Really cute!
xo
s
Laura says
I was so inspired by your magnet ornaments that I went to the craft store today and got magnets, then popped in a drug store thinking they’d have little ornaments. Surprisingly they did not, but they did have tiny bows, so I made some with those. I think they turned out pretty cute. Thanks for the idea!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q1vlDP5r02gAgNbT4pe8GPcRrgELxpUjhp8SFW2xr0k?feat=directlink
YoungHouseLove says
Such a cute idea! Love them!
xo
s
Holli Anne says
I’m pretty sure I’m going to need those mini-trees in my house! (The first white ones). That concept would also be cute with those paper snowflakes that kids (and me) like to cut out.
Chris-Ellyn says
I picked up these trees after Christmas last year too! I was planning to use them as gift tags/tie-ons, but I like your idea better.
Sara Hamilton says
I absolutely love the ornament magnets! Did you just super glue magnets to the bulbs? I tried to search around for a tutorial but couldn’t find anything. So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, just some heavy duty super glue and then I gave them a day to make sure they were dry and they’ve been holding strong ever since!
xo
s
Maidless Wonder says
I love how sentimental you guys are and incorporate it beautifully (and tastefully) into your everyday decorations (or in this case your Christmas decorations).
I’m not terribly sentimental, but my hubby and I of 12 years buy an ornament on every vacation/getaway to hang on the tree. We’ve amassed so many that I am inspired to get my own mini tree just for those ornaments.
Btw, I am so excited that you are coming to Atlanta on your book tour but I will still be recovering from c section then. I am bummed about that and so is my 12 year old daughter – she loves your Clara and Burger post.
Thanks for all you do!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much! And good luck with your delivery and recovery- such an exciting time for you!
xo
s
Sarah says
Hey guys!
Always a pleasure to read your blog!
Today I smiled about your “Burg-meister” since the German word for “major” is “Bürgermeister”, which is quite a promotion for Burger ;)
Have a very nice day and happy holidays!
Sarah from Germany
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny!
xo
s
Nicolette M says
I love everything about this post. I am lucky enough to have four mantles to decorate and always looking for new garlands. I need to keep an eye out for these to go on sale again! I also have a mini tree with ornaments from my childhood on it. Mini trees are a good excuse to do a theme you wouldn’t commit to your big tree.
Beth says
I found those same trees at Goodwill for 25 cents a pack the day after I read this! Great timing for a fun project :-) Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! What a lucky find!
xo
s
Patty C. says
List-Crossers Anonymous… Hmmm. Ever finish something, realize it’s not on the list, and add it just so you can cross it off? Me too! Guess I’ll see you at the next meeting.
Rebecca says
Saw this honeycomb shaped cookie cutter and thought of YHL and all your bee items – how cute would honeycomb cookies bee?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001BQXKQS/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?redirect=true&ref_=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2
YoungHouseLove says
CUTE!
xo
s
Alicia says
Where is that great little white table from ??
YoungHouseLove says
We found the base at a thrift store and bought a “round” of wood at Lowe’s and screwed it on top, then just primed + painted :)
xo
s
melissa says
I crafted your fridge Christmas ornament art for our fridge. We had hung some lighted garland around a door in the kitchen that we thought we’d hang the Christmas cards from. When I hung the garland I was like, no I like it how it is. Then I decorated it with small silver and gold balls and snowflakes, more loving it. Made bows for the top corners. Didn’t want to hide it with cards. Your idea solved it. Our pretty cards look beautiful on the fridge with ornament magnets. I’m going to send you a pic in appreciation for your reader inspired ideas. Thanks for making our home a little brighter with a place to display our Christmas cards. They are a dying tradition that I will hang on to till the bitter end. It’s so often you hear, “Thanks for your card, we don’t do that”.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s so sweet! I’m so glad!
xo
s
Carolyn says
I loved your little trees when I saw this post, and was tickled to find them at my local Goodwill (Target donates their overstock). I was too cheap to buy them at 3 for 59 cents so I waited until after Christmas when all the ornaments were 75% off. I ended up with 24 trees for $1.18. Probably not as good a deal as yours, but pretty spiffy! I wanted purple and pink ones for an Advent themed banner next year.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
Kim says
I picked up a bunch of snowflake shaped felt ornaments for 90% off (making them only 10 cents a piece!) at Target yesterday with the plan to use them for a garland for next year. I was reminded on the December Superlatives where I had seen the idea. To sum it up, you’re the voice in my head.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I love it!
xo,
s