Christmas, Handmade

Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and I try to get into the Christmas spirit early on, but for some reason I'm a little slow this year. I think I focused all of my energy on gift giving right after Thanksgiving (darn all of those amazing sales!) that I really didn't think to do any Christmas-ey things such as decorating and baking Christmas cookies.

But better late than never, right? I am baking cookies tomorrow with my wonderful mother-in-law so I am uber excited about that. And we do have a Christmas tree that has been decorated so that is checked off the list too. Normally, I'd be decorating the house with garland and lights the weekend after Thanksgiving so I need to do that tonight if not this weekend at some point.

My cute husband, who also gets into the Christmas spirit early on, put up garland above our front door to dress the front of the house with some Christmas cheer.

Getting back to doing Christmas-ey things. I noticed that with the success of Etsy, handmade Christmas ornaments are all over the place! As a child/angsty teenager I thought that handmade ornaments were so lame. You know you felt that way too at that age. But now, I am singing a different tune. Handmade ornaments are so unique and beautiful and are always made with love. My husband's maternal grandmother, Grandma Tess, loved to make ornaments and a few years back, we inherited a few treasures that she made. I had to share with you a few of our favorites that are hanging on the tree.

My favorite one out of the bunch!

Grover is Steve's favorite ornament.

We still have this weekend and next weekend to do crafty type things so I hope you get inspired by Grandma Tess' ornaments. If not, and you're stressing out about preparing for the holidays, don't fret! You can buy some amazing handmade goodies. I've found some that I would like to obtain too! Some are ornaments while others just add that bit of whimsy to your wrapped gifts. And there are a few decorative & fun things that I just liked. Either way, check them out below!

two turtledoves ornaments for $15.00

Blanc Noir Vintage Sheet Music Mini Wreath/Christmas Ornament for $10.00

Gotta add a little "French" into my Christmas.

Vinatge Yarn Wreath Ornament for $12.50

DIY Paper Ornaments for $6.75

Owl Ornament for $16.50

Owls are really popular now. I keep seeing them in jewelry and figurines.

Birds N Birdcages Ornamentsfor $9.50

Elephant ornament for $25.00

Reminds me of the Masai Mara.

Giraffe ornament for $25.00

bingo holiday cards for $13.50
Playing board games during the holidays is something I look forward to doing with my family.

stamped ribbons
(measures 4 feet)
$6.00

From A to Z, MINI Vintage Alphabet Cards for $5.95

Vintage Style Winter Snowflake Stickers set of 12
$4.75

Do Not Open Until December 25th Christmas Gift Tags
set of 8 tags
$4.25

Letterpress Holiday tags, Joy Peace Noel set of 6
$12.00

Pearl Letter A (All Letters Available)
$10.00

vintage paper wreath christmas tree art and sheet music petals for $38.00

And if you're feeling really craft...

Holiday Card Ornamental Balls

Instructions at Martha Stewart.com

PDF- Knit Christmas Ornament Pattern set for $6.00
How adorable are these ornaments?? The pattern set includes ornaments for: Santa, Peppermints, Snowman, Acorn, Tree, Birdhouse, Mushroom and a Cupcake.