That she blows! Or maybe I should I say “thar she glows!” Either way, we got ‘er up.
And this year the theme was:
- free stuff we already had (no getting in the car to go fetch anything, since we feared that would cost us another week to get things up)
- nothing pointy/hard/breakable (for bean safety reasons)
- color, color, color (just like our tabletop tree in the living room)
So yes, we gave our full-sized tree a whole new look (see what it looked like in 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 here) using stuff that we already had in the house, like a bunch of leftover paint chips from my bin.
Yes, I save old paint chips to reuse them for things like this art project…
… and this temporary postcard ledge arrangement (from our first house’s office)…
… and this year’s tree project:
First I cut them into strips (so I got 2-3 ornaments out of each leftover Benjamin Moore paint chip) and then used a hole puncher to make a hole…
… which I then used to loop twine and string from my craft bin to hang them. I love that they’re like modern little colorful icicles that cover the tree. And of course the fact that they were all f-r-e-e didn’t hurt either.
The other main element of decoration on the tree is a few spools of ribbon from the gift wrapping closet (snagged on clearance from Michael’s last Christmas). We just unrolled them, found the center point and folded it over the top of the tree, so the same amount of ribbon dangled down each side of the tree in an upside-down V shape. Oh and the “tree skirt” is just three faux sheep skins from Ikea (they’re sort of a holiday tradition at this point).
I even had some leftover ribbon to make a little bow at the top. Aw, shucks. Our tree is definitely a gal this year.
Oh and you’ll probably notice two things from this picture…
- We had yet to “catch up” with our advent calendar when we took these pics (the second we got the tree up we excitedly snapped these photos) – but Clara and I have since hung 12 advent ornaments on the tree – so we’re back to one a day from here on out.
- We did some quick mantel decorating in the kitchen, let’s take a closer look:
I added some old feather trees on the floor (from Target, a few years back) along with two ceramic birds up on the mantel (like two white Christmas doves) from an estate sale a few years ago. I also added in the little thrift store rocking horse that I painted for Clara (more on that here). And of course I hung our stockings from Target a few years ago (backwards this year – just to spice it up)…
It might look like those three stockings mean that Burger didn’t get one… but of course he did! John and I actually share one (labeled “Mom and Dad”) and then there’s Clara’s stocking and Burger’s stocking:
I also stuck a basket full of gifts in the fireplace (actually they’re fakers, see how I made those here).
One of the most fun things about the new doorway between the kitchen and the dining room is that we can enjoy the tree from the kitchen too. See it peeking around the corner of the opening?
Never would have gotten to enjoy that view if the wall didn’t come down a little while ago. Yay, demo!
It’s so nice to see something festive in the dining room (the big tree), the kitchen (the holiday mantel), and the living room (our tabletop tree). Aw, Christmastime, how do I love thee. Let me count the trees, er, ways.
So that’s the inside of the house all decorated for ya. Well most of it (I still have a holiday frame gallery project to shoot and share with you guys). Oh yeah, and for the first time ever we decorated the outside of our house too! We’re talking lights and stars and even a homemade wreath and some bright red ceramic-looking reindeer. That’s right, we went all out. Pics to come as soon as we can snap them and write something up!
Psst- We’ll be back with a kitchen update tomorrow for ya! Lots of the stuff that we’re working on is extremely detail oriented (ex: cutting down an old cabinet to make a smaller one that “matches” the rest of the kitchen and houses a built-in microwave), but we’re moving just as fast as we can!
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Destiny says
This tree is perfect, perfect, for a couple of Do it yourselfers! So clever, cute and happy!
Kel says
You guys are so creative and clever!I never would have though to use paint chips as decorations like you have. I suppose the added benefit is they aren’t dangerous to Clara if she was to grab them off the tree.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! It was all about thinking “what do we already have here in the house, and what won’t hurt Clara if she throws it forcefully on the floor!” Aka: anything that could shatter was out. Haha.
xo,
s
Alison says
Did I miss the purchase of that gorgeous mirror? Dang! The design and all white has me drooling! Where did you score that?!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! That was from jossandmain.com a while back- took me forever to hang it! And now it actually hangs in the living room above the desk and the old circle mirror above the desk is above the mantel in the kitchen. So many switches, so little time!
xo,
s
Sarah says
brilliant idea! I don’t know how you come up with these things! God must’ve given you an extra creative quarter pounder big mac brain! While some of us got the kiddy cheeseburger brain. Haha… does that make sense?? And I’m sorry that I compared your brain to a McDonald’s burger haha :) HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Can’t wait to meet you guys at the Haven Conference!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re sweet! I promise I just stand around looking at things (ex: staring at all the items piled messily in the playroom for a tree-related idea that’s free/not breakable) or I lay awake in bed trying to think of stuff- so it definitely doesn’t just “poof” into my head out of nowhere! Haha. There’s definitely some brainstorming involved! Looking forward to Haven too!
xo
s
Mary says
Love your low-cost Clara friendly Christmas decor! If you need a break from kitchen work, I’d love you to check out my ornament garland. It might be a fun way for you or another family with kiddos to display glass ball ornaments out of reach of little fingers. http://everything-old-new.blogspot.com/2011/11/pinterest-week-5-christmas-crafty.html
Thanks! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
YoungHouseLove says
Beautiful! I love the inspiration and your swagged masterpiece!
xo,
s
Jane from Australia says
Wow, your tree looks absolutely gorgeous guys! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, all the way from sunny Australia :-)
Kim says
Speaking of paint chips, I’m a weirdo that puts back the ones we end up not using, even days later. My husband thinks I am keeping someone who’s job it is to refill them from working haha!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! I clean up when I’m in the store, like if I see a pile of swatches that someone left on the counter in front of the chips I try to find their spots and slip them back in (maybe it’s a color matching game to me, haha).
xo,
s
alex says
Those paint swatch ornaments would make a fun mobile for a baby or playroom. :]
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, I love that!
xo,
s
Katie says
Looking at that gorgeous glowing tree makes me wish I celebrated Christmas so I could put one up in my house! How lovely! How long does it usually take you to decorate a tree? Happy Holidays!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I’d say it takes about an hour and a half maybe? There’s setting up the tree and making sure the lights work (the boring part) and then there’s hanging ribbon or garland and the ornaments and the tree skirt.
xo,
s
Rebecca says
John needs these (well the bike one). And they are bean proof!
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/sale/christmas-sale/set-of-2-embroidered-cycle-and-scooter-ornaments/s391509
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh- amazing!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
I was just clicking around on your site and went to the Mood Boards and Room Gallery pages, and I noticed they still have your old background and colors. Is that the result of yesterday’s crash? Just wanted to give ya a heads up!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! Yeah, we actually never redesigned those (we meant to month ago!). Better get on that!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Oh, sorry! haha
YoungHouseLove says
No worries, it’s a good reminder. Haha.
xo,
s
Jenny B says
The tree looks beautiful! I’m passing on one tradition that we do since there are so many things that I look back on now that my kids are teenagers and wish that we had done… Every year, we all go to Cost Plus World Market (I’m from the SF Bay Area, not sure if you have them out there) and we each pick one ornament and with a gold paint type pen write our names and the year on the bottom. Now (my kids are 16 and 13) our tree is almost entirely composed of these ornaments). It makes every year a walk down memory lane.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amaaaazing! I bet it’s gorgeous and so sentimental to look at!
xo,
s
Judy says
Love how the wider opening allows a better view of the fireplace from the dining room. Seeing it from a bit further away allows you to appreciate the scene as a whole picture. It looks like a perfect picture for a Christmas card!
Love that C & B mirror!!!!
kelly g says
Oh my gosh! I love it all so much! SO clever with the decorations and your house is looking FAB!
Jennifer Spadaro says
I love that you save your paint swatches, I just hung a bunch up on my wall to see what we wanted to paint our bedroom, and I thought of making a little art when I’m done. And what a cute idea using them on your tree! So creative!
Annachestnut says
You have taste and talent!!! Looks so cozy and warm! a lot of work, though…..
zannie says
I noticed you mention faux ikea sheepskin several times already. I looked through what feels like entire Ikea webpage, both Polish (I’m from Poland) and US, and couldn’t find them. The ones I find are not faux… Can you guys give me a link?
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly they’re never online (which is odd because they’d be so light to ship) but in stores they’re easy to spot (they’re in big bins marked $12.99 I think – and they’re backed with this fabric with little grippy things on it like a bath mat, so it’s obvious that they’re faux – and of course the tag confirms that they are). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ashley Potvin says
Love this frugal idea! I do not want to spend a whole lot on ornaments this year since Christmas presents cost enough! So, I am going to take advantage of my husband that runs a hardware store! Thanks!