Did you all have a good weekend? Yesterday was the day I had set aside to decorate for Christmas and then guess what happened?
You’d think this would speed up my decorating for the Holidays, but not really. Instead, I kept looking out the window at our garden and thinking of all the things I never got to finish outside. Although here in Michigan, I doubt the snow will stay for the rest of the year. I’ll, or rather Isaac (our youngest son) will still have time to get a lot of leaves raked up, and I’ll get the garden bed prepared for Winter.
Wrong blog if you believe in a tight time table when it comes to yard work, but you’re in the right place if you want to talk Christmas decorating.
Let’s do it!
Before I started decorating I took a look back on the blog to when I started blogging last December. What a ride it has been!
Last year our neighbor cut down a large pine tree. Before the tree people could grind it up I ran out and asked the guys to cut off a bunch of branches for me. I think they thought me a little strange, but I got all the fresh greenery an aspiring home blogger could want and more!
It was so much fun creating arrangements with them, and what a money saver! If you ever hear of someone cutting down an evergreen around Christmas, run and ask for some boughs.
I went through and picked my favorite evergreen Christmas decoration from last year.
Here they are for you to get inspired and create your own Christmas decor with fresh greenery.
7 Simple Ways to Decorate for Christmas with Fresh Evergreens
1. Make a Swag
This was one of the easiest fresh evergreen decorations I ever made. Gather three boughs and twist twine around the base of all three. Tie a thick piece of satin ribbon around the twine and hang on the wall. Perfect for after Christmas as well.
2. Mini Trees
These Charlie Brown Christmas trees were a hit last year. Each year we go to a Christmas Tree farm and cut down our tree. Last year we feel in love with several little ones and our youngest three each took one home. We placed ours in heavy crocks filled with water. They lasted the whole Holiday season and made us all so happy.
3. Wreath
Making a wreath seems a lot harder than it actually is. If you use the same kind of evergreen it’s just a matter of using green wire to secure your greenery to the base wreath. I don’t go for perfection, just pretty. I used the same ribbon to hang loosely on this wreath as I used for the evergreen swag.
4. Garland for the Mantel
Ok, this project took all the hands I had in the house that morning. The middle two kids helped me and it was not easy. I don’t say that a lot because I usually stick to easy crafts, but this one was a challenge. I’m sure I could have gone about it in a better way, but I didn’t know what that was! Let me say that these HERE made this garland possible.
Out of all the fresh greenery decor of last Christmas, this was by far my favorite. Worth the trouble, for sure.
5. Advent Wreath
If you’re of the Christian faith, take some clippings from your yard or Christmas tree along with candles and a tray. Have the kids put the advent wreath together with you and talk about why we celebrate Christmas. Each Sunday for five weeks before Christmas light a candle and on Christmas light the Christ candle.
Advent wreaths are a great way to anticipate the birth of Jesus. Do not worry about making it in the exact colors as some would say you should. It’s the thought that counts.
6. Candle Garnish
Whatever faith you are lighting a candle surrounded by fresh greenery is unifying and calming. We kept this one in our kitchen and I’d light it at night while I cleaned up after dinner. I think we’ll do it again this year and talk about and share happy memories of those we’ve lost.
Christmas can be such a hard time of year. My step Dad passed away in April and it’s going to be hard going through our traditions without him. We all miss him, and the shock of his passing still lingers. Something as simple as lighting a candle for someone you love and honoring them in that moment can be healing. We plan on doing that this Christmas.
7. Table Centerpiece
Whether you have a rectangle or a round table, gathering fresh greenery for the center is so stylish and festive at Christmas. Work in some pinecones, flowers or berries and it’s just perfect for your Holiday dinners with family and friends.
The smell of freshly cut pine, or cedar can’t be beat. I hope this sparked some ideas for you as to how to use fresh evergreens in your Christmas decorating this year.
Let me know which way you might try. I love to hear your comments!
MORE CHRISTMAS DECORATING
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Thank you Linda, Happy Thanksgiving!