My biggest ever vintage 'Christmassy' post

I am feeling so "Christmassy" today so it was with huge joy that I looked out the window and saw...SNOW! My festive levels reached a new high while the beautiful flakes fell!

I decided to take some photos of the decorations to share with you today. Not all of them came out so well (you may remember I always have trouble taking pics of the tree!) but some are lovely. As mentioned before, we tend to have lots of bird decorations at Christmas. I counted while taking the photos and I came up with 39. They are not from a big set mind you, they have all been individually collected over the years!







Our tree is definitely a mix of styles but I think our mix works. We have lots of nature themed decorations:


(very fluffy owl)


(What a handsome fellow!)





Some vintage decorations I have collected over the years like this 1970's Holly Hobby ornament:


of course, vintage decorations passed down from my grandma are cherished:


These little Santa's and carol singers were my grandma's. There were 3 of each but one year one of the little girls went missing. I can only think that when I threw away the packing, I threw away one of the girls. I have been looking for her replacement ever since. The large "Santa" in the back was also my gram's. It is a big brandy glass with felt pieces glued on and a removable felt hat. She used to fill it with bright coloured candy each year...I will too.


Mr. and Mrs. Clause were also my gram's. She always used to say that you had to hang them so that they looked like they were skiing down the tree...

There are also lots of ornaments that Paul and I have bought since we have been married:


(Pretty in Pink, handpainted flowers)


Even though the star or angel is the traditonal "tree topper" we couldn't resist this wonderful alternative we found while in the US. It is a santa, sleigh and reindeer flying around the globe. Santa and sleigh are supposed to gently turn around the globe but due to the difference in electrics here in the UK, it doesnt turn...still very sweet though...



and just in case you think we forgot, we have plenty that kids love!


(one of a set of Winnie the pooh ornaments, who can resist these charming characters?!)

I do tend to lean towards traditional decorations around the house but I do like to add some vintage flair whenever possible and maybe a bit of a different colour other than the traditonal red and green. I have ordered some pretty bright green, yellow and peach check ribbon to add to the decorations but It is not due to arrive until tomorrow. I will have to take an updated photo then to share with you. In the mean time though, the ribbon is not that disimilar from these bows on our tree:



Paul, Georgia and I took a walk and collected some strands of Ivy for over the doorway into the dining room (office!). I have some gorgeous vintage trim (saved for years because I cant bring myself to use it!) with red roses that I wound around and through the Ivy. I really love the way it looks!





The Ivy decoration wrapped around the ceiling light looks like a bit of a tangled mess but it hides the fact that we are missing one of the vintage "candle" light covers. They just don't seem to make them in the size we need anymore!



I find that my fingers like to be busy these days, even when watching a movie in the evenings. So what does a girl do when the "restless fingers syndrome" strikes? She begins a Christmas craft of course! So I have made some of these fun Victorian style candy cones. I have an antique music book, Scales and Arpeggios, that has seen better days and I have been saving it for some crafty project so the cones seemed the perfect answer.



I used one page per cone, rolled it into a cone shape and glued the edge down. Then I covered it in a layer of PVA glue(with just a drop of water mixed in) to strengthen the paper .

I sprinkled some very fine frosty glitter all over it. I then punched a hole into each side and attached a ribbon. It was simple and fun.



Georgia really likes them but she QUICKLY reminded me they are not finished until they are filled with sweets!

If you are in need of some festive but vintage style decorations or gifts, these cones would be a great project for you to try. You could use any card or thick paper. I made one in about 10 minutes after I got the hang of it so you don't need alot of spare time. Fill with sweets or pretty vintage trims and buttons for a treasured but inexpensive gift!



Sending you all the best Christmas wishes,