Old style Preparations for Christmas 2011!!

squeaky

Hokay. Next time I'm in.

oldtractor

What do you all do for xmas decorations? I live in a tiny cottage and TBH a xmas tree is just too big. OS ideas welcomed, I wonder what the Georgians or Elizabethans did?

lostinrates

I think holly, mistletoe and a natural wreath on the door are all lovely. An MSEer...I'm sorry I can't remember who...put a picture up of one she or her husband had made and I thought it was amazing, I was envious of their skill, but she said it was a first attempt!

I also really love seeing things made by kids...those paper loops, and white paper snowflakes....simple and can hang infront of a window or from a beam.

As space is the issue for youm have you anywhere you can dangle some lights to give you some glowing cheer?

Penelope_Penguin

oldtractor wrote: »

I wonder what the Georgians or Elizabethans did?

Lots of greenery - holly and ivy - and only the 12 days from Christmas Eve to Twelfth night

I'll add this to the existing Christmas thread later to keep ideas together.

PixieDust

If you have shelves/bookcases, you could decorate these with garlands, or icicle-looking things, perhaps? P0undl@nd usually have stuff that's like thin white fleece with silvery bits, you could cut icicles out of these?

If you have a table, you could have a tiny, sprayed, potted tree, or a festive candle-and-pine-cone display

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=xmas+candle+table+display&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=617&tbm=isch&tbnid=qYlupFFIhUESJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.specialgifts4u.co.uk/-p-1468.html&docid=fHPi4GxGwgkx3M&itg=1&imgurl=http://www.specialgifts4u.co.uk/images/candles-poinsettiaribbons.jpg&w=487&h=478&ei=2HO5Tr7ENoW58gO1muXKBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=821&vpy=270&dur=394&hovh=222&hovw=227&tx=127&ty=132&sig=115436703154234883230&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=141&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0

Garlands round mirrors and/or on bookshelves/window sills?

Wreath on front door?

Are you averse to hanging things from the ceiling like paper chains? I've seen them look really lovely when made form old book pages or sheet music

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=paper+chains+made+from+book&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=617&tbm=isch&tbnid=duqKxYrCrvfZGM:&imgrefurl=http://brokecreativebride.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/diy-paper-chain/&docid=gGyFGoSrCM-IEM&imgurl=http://brokecreativebride.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/vintage_sheet_music_paper_chain_garland-_set_of_2_jpg_430x430_crop_q85.jpg&w=429&h=430&ei=_HS5TrigKcfA8QPX9oTTBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=676&vpy=134&dur=271&hovh=225&hovw=224&tx=79&ty=122&sig=115436703154234883230&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=134&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0



There are a few ideas here;they are hopelessly American but might be inspirational?

http://crazybeanrider.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Decorate-Your-Small-Apartment-For-Christmas

meritaten

holly, ivy and mistletoe are the 'Traditional' christmas decorations. robins seem to be a Victorian 'thing'!
I wouldnt bother with a tree either - but MY OH insists on it!

oldtractor

I KNEW you good people would come up with some good ideas. I particularly like the poinsettia candle table decoration. And need to find some lights. We havent "done" xmas for about 5 years,for various reasons including lack of money and the loss of several family mambers,we just didnt feel like it, but now,with my super sons, DH and grandson its time to start afresh. Thanks again for taking the trouble to post your ideas.

mi_jardin

do you have a fireplace? you could make a nice display on top of that with some white candles, holly, ivy and fir cones.

FrugalWorker

My Mum takes some of the off cuts from the Christmas tree and works them in to a large urn with other greenery. She puts some over pictures too - means she gets the smell. I've always fancied picking up some large twigs/small branches, painting them white, putting in a vase and lightly decorating that. Maybe some fairy lights, or some homemade decorations.

PixieDust

you could start to collect (or buy quite cheaply) some stuff like fir cones, big wood shavings/curls, and buy some cinnamon sticks, bake some orange slices,.....buy some sort of scented oil that seems Christmassy to you, and make your own pot pourri-type mixture to place in small bowls for a lovely Christmassy smell :)maybe make orange and clove pomanders, and/or tie up bundles of cinnamon sticks tied with pretty ribbon....you get the idea

I'm so glad you have reached a point where you are able to celebrate this time with your family I am sure you will have a very special Christmas