How I Put Together My Christmas Centerpiece

When ever I am going to decorate I like to pull together the elements that I think will work.

Sometimes they work together, and sometimes they don’t.

I find it is a good idea to do this so you can vary the textures, shapes and colors. Once you do that you are ready to put it together.

I started with my table topper which is a black and white buffalo check. 

Since my family room is decorated in red and white I knew I would have to have some red in the elements in order for it to marry well with the Family room décor.

My kitchen is in black and white this year so it seemed logical to me to try and use a combination of red, white and black and a touch of green.

I started out by laying out different combinations on the tablecloth……..

Red, green, black and mercury glass.

Red, black and white with mercury glass.

Red, green and white with mercury glass.

The winner is……….

Red, Green, Black and Mercury Glass!!!

I hung the ornaments with black and white bakers twine at all different levels. I used shiny and matte ornaments to vary the textures.

Since the ornaments are hanging from my chandelier I knew I wanted the centerpiece on the table to remain simple so I chose to use Mercury glass trees and tea-light holders in clear red glass…..

Continuing with the simple look I added round black lanterns hung with a red satin ribbon, (Notice no bow, keeping it more tailored in here.)

(Sorry for the footstool, this was a work in progress!)

I am really enjoying the sharp, fresh look of this year's décor. This room looks really pretty at night with nothing but candlelight.

So dear readers this is how I plan, and go about putting together my table arrangements.

I hope this helps a little bit with your planning!!

Merry Christmas!!

Remember to: "Enjoy The Process!"

   

 

OUR MEMORY TREE

 

To many when they look at my tree they will see a tree like many others, one jammed packed with ornaments.

These are not just any ornaments, but these are memories hanging on my tree.

Every year as I hang each ornament I have what I call my annual Christmas cry. Not because I am sad, but because I am so thankful to have had so many wonderful Christmas memories to hold onto year after year.

I love a beautifully appointed, coordinated tree, but for this girl the beauty in her tree is found in its memories.

On My Tree You Will See…………

My youngest son’s very first pair of glasses. A sweet satin ball with his picture placed front and center adorned with beads and sequins that were placed by his little hands.

My youngest son’s first pair of shoes,  first ornament(dated 1977), and  his very first pair of glasses. 

My oldest son’s soccer buttons, and an ornament that was made out of a juice can top with red painted macaroni and glitter. It is crumbling, but it is still placed proudly on my tree.

A family picture of years gone by.

A sterling soldier that was my oldest son’s. When I gave him and his new wife his box of ornaments for their first tree, he handed the soldier back to me, and said, “ No, Mama this one belongs on the family tree!”

Yes, I cried because this was always his favorite ornament while he was growing up. The sweet face in the silver snow flake is his daughter. Believe me she is sweet beyond words.

In the far right is a picture of her Mommy and Daddy giving me the thumbs up for the gift I gave them that year.

A Styrofoam sequin gilded ornament made by my middle son. The other side shows a fish representing the symbol for Christianity. He knew even as a little boy how important Christ was in our home. 

There are pictures of him his very first year of Little League, a soccer button, and the little cherub with the kissable cheeks his youngest son. I think God gave him such kissable cheeks because he is a total love-bug, he gives the best hugs! The beautiful couple is his Mommy and Daddy!

My middle son gets rocking horses for his ornaments so I have this one on the tree representing his ornament. 

The cutie in the star is his oldest, and he is definitely a star in his Grammy’s heart……

So when you look at my tree just remember it is near and dear to my heart. That is why it is not a Christmas Tree, but it is called………….

A MEMORY TREE!

Remember to make your own special memories this year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

FROM MY

 ***HOME TO YOURS***

I will be joining Melissa at the Inspired room linky party HERE!!

 

A Dozen Ideas For Decorating A Christmas Kitchen

 


A room that might just be overlooked when it comes to Christmas decorations might be your kitchen.

Trying to make it look festive is really quite easy. Since a kitchen has so many comings and going through out the day it is a good idea to keep it simple.

I have collected a few ideas that I really like and that are quite doable.

I am about to show you some of them including a few of my own Christmas decorations past and present in the kitchen…….

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

I thought I would start with my all-time favorite. I have had this image in my files for a very long time.

Anyone could add a pretty ribbon to a store bought wreath and hang it on their hutch or cupboard doors.

Speaking of cupboard doors let me show you what I did last year to my cupboard doors…….

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

Jingle-bell napkin rings become pretty little wreaths when they are hung on the cupboard knobs. Add a simple ribbon, and tie in a large knot. Simple, easy, anyone could do this!!

Source: savedbythesouthernbelle.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

This is another one of my all-time favorites. So easy to add some greenery to your window.

Tie a few of your favorite shapes, and colors of ornaments, and you are good to go!!

Love the large trophy cups holding the mini pines. Not a lot going on, but very festive and again, SIMPLE!!!

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

This is my kitchen last year! I chose to put my mini-pines in three white pitchers. I love the crispness of the white with the dark green.

This year I chose to put three little mini-pines in one of my larger white serving bowls. I added three wooden spoons for a little whimsy, and texture.

The little “P” is actually the top of a cheese knife. I kept the white going by adding faux snow. I also thought it would be cute to use oatmeal which would give it a nice neutral look.

You can see that I used the same treatment on the cupboard knobs as I did last year.

The only difference is the ribbon choice. I chose a satin ribbon from England that has an outline in black. I love how sharp and crisp it is!

By adding a candle and some greenery to a common kitchen colander it becomes a Christmas decoration.

Source: sjarmerendejul.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

Another common kitchen item! Cookie cutters!! Just tie them together with some red, and white bakers twine, and it becomes a darling ornament for the kitchen.

Source: stacynashprimitivedesigns.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

I know this might be a bit out-there for some, but I think this is adorable! Another unusual but easy thing to do for your kitchen.

Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

How about lining three creamers in your window above your sink, and adding ribbons and some greenery inside them. I really love this idea!

Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

Another colander with snow, and snowball candles! So cute!!

Source: foreverdecorating.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue Perdue on Pinterest

This wire tree was decorated with vintage Jell-O molds. Very clever indeed!!

I am working on my kitchen still, but I feel inspired after writing this blog post!!

Do you all decorate in your kitchen? Leave a comment and tell me what you have done. I love to be inspired by my readers!!

Happy Decorating in the Kitchen To YOU!!

For more ideas go HERE to my Pinterest board!