Holiday Hearth 2014 OR Decorating Without a Tree

This year I did not want to pull out all the decorations, or spend the money on a tree. After our move to this house, the white tree didn’t make it, and last year we didn’t buy a tree because we were traveling for Christmas. This year, I simply do not have the budget to buy a fake tree (I also don’t want the hassle of a real one). So, trying not to spend any money on any decorations, I pulled out what I have and took a look. I have this older fake garland, but first I needed to make some room on the mantle by hanging “My Baby Wants to Rock and Roll” higher.

Decorated Mantle and Hearth Dec 2014

I reused the three mod trees I made last year, and added a vase with some sprays. Glittered ornaments and birds add some color.

Bird Ornament on Mantle

Across the front, I tied a ribbon and hung some of my favorite ornaments. I collect ornaments from places I visit, so there are many memories associated with them. It’s my favorite part of putting up Christmas decorations– to take out the ornaments and remember what they represent.

Ornaments on Mantle

That’s Henry VIII on the left, from the Tower of London, and a San Francisco Trolley car towards the middle. I hung our stockings on either side. I just hope I secured everything so that it doesn’t fall. I already had one ornament break on me this year.

Ornaments

The tin star is from San Diego.

More Ornaments

The angel was a gift from my sister from Germany, Tuolumne Meadows at Yosemite, a ceramic star from our favorite artist’s shop in Fredericksburg (the Pon Shop), the Frank Lloyd Wright window is actually a bookmark from the Martin House in Buffalo, a colorful ornament from Hawaii, and a thistle snowflake from the Celtic Highland Games and Festival.