In my earlier post I found some great wreaths and check out this new one from Betz White. I have a pile of fabric scraps and a wreath form just waiting for some inspiration. Not everyone has a million beautiful cashmere sweater scraps lying around the house, but isn’t this pretty? I am already seeing houses decked out in decorations, so I guess it’s time.
Skip the candy and plastic junk. Here are some stocking stuffer or Hanukkah ideas:
Mittens from Liz Jones Handmade, $22. Available in her Etsy shop here.
Hair clips or ponytail holders from Meeting Street Designs, $12.25 for the set pictured below.
This stamper necklace from The Small Object, $24.
Mushroom pocket case, $20 from Gifts Define.
A couple of nice handmade items, maybe some underwear and socks. Eva’s favorite present one year was a flashlight! Don’t think my kids won’t have some Disney princess stickers in their stockings. Our kids are the smallest victims of our consumer culture and my four-year-old actually CRIED for princess underpants. My mother says that they received oranges and nuts in their stockings when she was a child. We’ll try that this year and see if there’s a revolt.
Happy Thanksgiving! Lucky us, my mother is cooking this year. All we did was bring our Tofurky! Have a great day.
I’m not one for fussy centerpieces but instead like something simple, artfully arranged that will last a while. Right now we have some squash and pumpkins, a couple of low candles, and bundles of wheat decorating our table. I made a runner from burlap that was leftover from the scarecrow. I keep seeing the Martha Stewart pumpkin candles and wish I had a grown-up occasion to light some candles. Seems like the guidelines when it comes to centerpieces are: keep it simple, keep it low and avoid overpowering fragrances. Glittered pumpkins on a silver platter, glass bowls of acorns, several small vases of hydrangeas and berries. I think the only essential is that you have candles, and the more the better.
And if you have a sideboard, don’t forget to display those beautiful desserts so your guests can save some room. How about this apple spice cake baked in a pretty bundt pan? Yum.
If you’re lucky enough to go to someone else’s house for the holidays, don’t forget to bring them a handmade gift. No time? Check out these hand printed items.
Hand towels always make a nice hostess gift. And if you’re not looking for something over at Monarch Monograms, try these bright and happy screenprinted kitchen towels from PataPri ($14 each or $40 for a set of three).
These lovely votive holders from Maryink ($16 for the pair) would be great for the holidays. Her shop also has some nice tees and aprons.
Or these dinner napkins from Michelle Brusegaard ($22.50 for 4).
Or these botanical gocco print gift cards from things are better with a parrott. $3 for 5 tags makes a great little gift or you can tie one on a bottle of wine to make it something special.
