Tag Archives for decorating

Glitterwreaths

At the start of October I got out the bins full of orange things. While it may be impressive that I have two full bins (plus a bit) of orange things to decorate during Halloween and Thanksgiving, it’s nothing on what I have stored for Christmas. This isn’t even half of those bins:

A few years ago when my husband and I moved into the house we’d been building forever (or 17 years, anyway – and I was only around for the final 7 mind you… but that is a whole different story) I got to start decorating in a much larger and more open space.

A space with 7 square windows across the front of the house that cried out for wreaths during Christmas.

So I went shopping and got 10 (because there were three other windows that also wanted wreaths) artificial pre-lit green wreaths. They were a little dull, so I asked my mother to bring over her bowdabra and make bows for them all, which she did. Of course, that wasn’t going to be enough either. I also bought various picks and glitter covered things and scavenged picks that my mother and sister had put into bows in past years (this is why I don’t even try to compete on package wrapping; it’s a lost cause for me) and started decorating all the wreaths.

The bows are underneath and face out the window; the glittery sides face inside.

The question arose as to how to hang them all. We ended up with tension curtain rods in every window (none of these windows have treatments on them because I can’t bear to damage the beautiful wood). Those and fishing line around the wreath created a perfect solution.

I have outlets near each window so I own more timers and short extension cords than most people would find in a hardware store. One of the wreaths got a bit more of the decorations because it’s the one that graces the large dining room window. And this should explain why I find glitter in my home year round.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

I have had an artificial pre-lit tree for many years. Scoff if your want – tell me all about how a “real” tree is “better” because I care not. I don’t have to deal with stringing lights and I am assured a slim tree that fits in my space.

That said, I have often been angered trying to sort out how the pre-lit lights are supposed to be plugged in to make everything merry and bright… And last year I had a section of tree that refused to light. So, I bought a new tree this year. Turns out, it’s flipping brilliant! There is NO mystery about how to get things lit!

Oh, yeah! There is one plug at the bottom section and all the rest is handled by simply setting the poles together!

Seriously. You have no idea how happy this made me. I toasted engineers everywhere with the cocktail I had already poured in anticipation of the annoyances related to dealing with the plugs….

Here is our tree:

Of course it required fluffing and decorating but the fact that moments after being out of the box there was light? Damn impressive.

Because we don’t have kids it means we (okay, *I*) can have the tree done however we (*I*) like. All white lights have been the case for years. Last year for the first time I decided to go with all white/crystal ornaments. I love it. My tree has a glittery silver crystal-studded crown.

You’re jealous. If not of the tree itself, you’re jealous that there are wrapped packages already in place….

Here’s a close-up of the crystal-gorgeousness:

 

 

October happened!

It’s October (okay, it has been for a few days, yes, I know) and the temperatures are dipping low at night so it officially feels like autumn. This is the signal to get out the bins full of orange things!

Most of the orange things…

We have 8 jack o’lanterns for the windows across the front of the house, pumpkin candle holders, interesting frog witches… And so I made my moments.

 

And then, finally, I added the last decoration to General Principle. He took it stoically, as he does everything.