Christmas Decorating Simply Using What We Have!

Decorating for Christmas can be filled with new and sparkly, but I love to take on the challenge of using what I have to decorate. I have found just adding a touch of holiday to the decor already in my cottage home, brings a look that is cozy and charming.

This year my decorating took on that style as you can see in the pics that follow. It was so much fun to Christmas up with treasures I already had and displayed in a new way.

Like this bowl of sugared fruit with a few blue ornaments and pine cones added to my vintage blue willow bowl. I use blue willow in my old world kitchen and this display on the island works right into that style.


For the table, I layered a large round Christmas platter with another in rubbed oil bronze in the center. Added to the two tiers I added vintage and new ornaments, magnolia cones, berries, sugared fruit and more. In the top I added a faux candle with timer and each evening it comes aglow and gives a cozy warm feel to the kitchen.


Here's an idea, to glass angels candle holders, I simply place a vintage gold ornament to the top of two angels. Candle holders don't always have to hold a candle.

One of my favorite and most cherished treasures is this red glass plate made by my great grandfather in the glass factory in W. Virgina in the 40's. To the plate which is displayed on a vintage dresser, I have added red and pink vintage ornaments. It's simple, easy and so pretty.

In this same room I have added a beaded red angel to the top of a vintage armoire displayed with a vintage hat on an old stand, with books, small dress form and a pair of wooden shoes brought back from France by my father in WWII. I cherish these shoes and remember them being in my entire life.

For the coffee table, once again I have added traditional ornaments to my mother's vintage glass bowl displayed with Christmas books and beaded pear coasters. But this time I place the bowl atop a candle ring of pine and berries which gives it some elevation and extra accent.

To this decorator's gallery ledge, I simply add an old world angel.

To my recently new guest bathroom, I added small ornaments to the glass bottles and jars with a glitter tree and large bottle brush tree.


To the top of the iron display tower I placed a beautiful crocheted angel with feather fur trim. She looks perfect overlooking the pink roses in this bath.

And since I seem to be on a roll with bowls this season, I had to once again this year, display my bowl of books in our library. It is always ready to read a few pages filled with Christmas inspiration.

How about a little treat?~~~ red, green and silver kisses filling a vintage canning jar and tied with red ribbon. I have to be careful not to eat too many for the decoration will go away. It's for looks right?!?! LOL and looks right at home among the little cookie jars of Santa and his Winter Cottage.

For my beloved Deacon's bench, made by my father, I place our family bible accented with holly leaves and berries and a pair of vintage glasses open to the story of the Christ Child's birth.

And have you seen these darling little set of 4 stencils from Dollar General for one dollar? They are for decorating cookies, cupcakes and such with sprinkles, sugars or powdered sugar. I can't wait to try these little sweeties.

Lastly, in case Santa loses his hat on the way down the chimney, I hang this sweet Santa hat on an old cane standing in a vintage crock by the fireplace.
This hat is very special to me. You see, it was worn by my mother when she was in the nursing home before she passed away. During the one Christmas she spent there, she wore it and wheeled around to the other rooms to wish those very sick a Merry Christmas. I can still see her, wheeling up into a neighboring room with a big smile full of cheer and greetings. It makes me cry with joy to remember her praying with other sick elders, singing Christmas carols and doing the Lords work, right to the end.

Love to you this Christmas!