Christmas decor for everyone!

Well...it's about 1 month away - Christmas day! Have you decorated yet?

If you love to decorate but feel like Christmas just doesn't blend with your style we have some news for you - this year there is something for everyone!

In the past, Christmas decor was all about a traditional look and sticking with a white, green and red motif with a touch of silver or gold; or, it was very child like and full of animation.

But in recent years we have really started to see a huge change toward more stylish and fashion forward Christmas decor - so decorating for this festive season will mesh well with your current style and not fight it.

For the person that loves bright colour and even neon hues - options for you....try a white tree with lots of bright and bold colour decor items! You can even find bright colour trees like aqua or pink.  We love a fun punch of colour and colour is so festive so why not opt for colour and fun this holiday season? Try adding some different elements to your tree to make it really unique like bright bows that are oversized and full or print, bright colour feathers from a craft store, bold neon baubles, ribbons, pompoms and so much more!



For the person that loves glitz and glamour...why not dress up your home for this Christmas in metallics? The shiny and reflective surfaces look so chic and sophisticated (timeless too).  You can stick with one metallic like silver and keep it so cool and clean or blend them all.  Mix in some glitter and crystals for a total glam look.  We love to see metallics mixed with white twinkle lights.  Paired with a white tree gives the look a more modern feel but paired with a classic evergreen makes it a bit more elegant, it's up to you!



For the person that likes a more rustic look, you can incorporate your favourite woodland animals like owls, deer and moose along with wood textures like birch, mix in some plaid and knit textures for a cozy cabin Christmas vibe. Burlap garlands around the tree, grapevine accessories and pine cones are easy and simple additions to any evergreen tree and will give the look that rustic country feel. 




For someone who likes a more modern look, try a minimalist and monotone look.  Grey is a hot neutral and why not incorporate it into your Christmas decor motif? Pair it with some silver decor and you do not have to fill the tree with decor - keep it clean and simple. If you have grey in your home currently and like a tone on tone look this is a great option for you.




For the sports fan why not find a another way to display your team colours?  Try a sports themed tree celebrating Christmas and your team! You can find logo decorations for all of the professional teams and college team plus you can easily find lights, ribbon, baubles and more in your team colours.  Go Team! Go Christmas!!




For the person that likes something a bit different but you want to nod to tradition somewhat...why not decorate with an unexpected colour combination? Black and white are not your traditional Christmas colours but they are a classic combination, they look great together even on a tree. Add a fun pop like yellow or even aqua (Tiffany Blue like the tree here) for something really unique and eye catching.  Make the Christmas a part of your decor scheme!






 For the fashionista or aspiring fashion designer, show off your flare for fashion with this dress form tree.  Dress this tree up how ever you like! Add as much bling as you like and in any colour - you can really take this idea to the next level and completely customize it! This tree truly has a style of its own!




For the person that loves the beach...try a coastal Christmas tree! Shells, starfish and silver dollars look amazing on a tree paired with soft pastel tones.  If you love Christmas and you love the beach this is perfect for you or if you live on the coast and want to compliment the surroundings this is a great look, too!  The beach themed items pair so nicely with the green tree and the silver tones and glass baubles.




 For the person who loves the traditional colours but want to make a statement - make your tree a total designer showpiece and go over the top with oversized decor items all over your tree! To get this sculptural look you will need time, patience plus lots of floral wire but you can definitely achieve this fabulous look and it gives a fresh take on the traditional colours.




For the person that loves the snow....a snow flocked tree is for you!  Take the look of nature, those stunning snow covered evergreens and bring it indoors - this is a great look with any colour scheme or style.  It works beautifully with bold and bright neon hues, the rustic look and even the more elegant and traditional looks. You can even transform your current artificial tree to a snow covered one with a little DIY 

 

Remember when you are decorating for the holidays, keep the theme consistent - that will give your home that designer holiday look no matter which style you prefer.  Make sure that no matter your style - have fun!

Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give....

Looking for a great gift idea for a family?  With the popularity of game nights, this will be a great addition to family fun nights at home.

Whatchama Draw It!




Quick! Picture a bunny on a carrot flying towards a fish bowl that is sitting on Mars next to a housefly!  This is the type of thing that you’ll be drawing when you play our Whatchama DRAW It game!  Get all of your friends and family together for this hilarious doodling game!  You can draw pictures competitively, with the object being for the other players to guess what you’re sketching or just for fun to get your creative juices flowing!

Our game will help you to create exciting masterpieces that will make the whole family cry from laughing!  Requires paper, pens and your imagination.

Includes 110 cards, How to Play card and a 60-second timer to get your creative spirit going. 

Cards measure 4 inches x 4 inches.  Note: No talent required.

Give the gift of fun!

Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give.....

Do you have someone on your list this year that has everything ?  And you have NO IDEA what to get them?  Why not a charitable gift this year?  If you know their preferred charities a donation in their name is a generous and kind idea OR what about Plan Canada's Gifts of Hope

A little amount can go a long way....

Sheep $50  - a sheep will provide a family with milk, cheese and wool - all of which also brings an income to pay for things such as health care and education

Bednets $10 - Malaria kills a child every 60 seconds in Africa.  Mosquito nets are treated with insecticide and last up to 3 years.  this is a gift that will save lives!

Quinoa $35 - A superfood and a super gift for almost 6,000 families in developing nations.  This gift of a family garden includes everything necessary for growing that garden: quinoa seeds and other grains; training for growing and harvesting crops; and the knowledge to turn those crops into nutritious meals with classes and recipes.

There are many other affordable gifts that would do so much good for some many people around the world.

Christmas is coming....my favourite gifts to give....

It's now December, it's hard to believe but Christmas is only 25 days away!  Have you started your shopping?  I'm going to share my favourite gifts to give this holidays season

Have a wine lover on your list?  try the Corkcicle!  I've purchased this for a number of people on my list including my son;s teachers.  It's easy to use and gets good reviews and is something that most people don't have yet.  It replaces the bulky ice bucket to keep your wine perfectly chilled.  and for the beer lover, try the Chillsner



 Ingeniously simple and conveniently portable, Corkcicle keeps whites and rosés perfectly chilled and bring reds to the optimal drinking temp, without over-cooling or diluting the wine.

Details:

• Made from natural cork and BPA-free plastic, filled with non-toxic freeze gel
• Easy to use: just freeze the Corkcicle and pop it into any uncorked wine bottle
• Slide it part of the way out to pour your wine; when the bottle's empty, rinse the Corkcicle and store it in the freezer until next time
• Keeps chilled wines at the perfect temperature, without the dripping and sloshing of an ice bucket (or the worry of over-chilling)
• Gently cools room-temperature red wines to bring out the subtleties of flavor and bouquet

 One important tip, pour one glass of wine first before inserting the corkcicle, otherwise the wine will spill over

Wow - Wreaths!

The Christmas season is only weeks away!  Have you thought about how you want to decorate for the season?  I've seen some incredible wreaths out there and I love the way a wreath adds some colour, sparkle and shine to the exterior of the home.

Check out these amazing wreaths...maybe they will inspire you to do something really special this year...Take a look at the various items you have around the house - citrus, wood bark, cinnamon sticks, piping, coffee filters, feather boas and more....to make a beautiful wreath for your door

Modern PVC Wreath -I love the clean and simple lines of this wreath - Christmas baubles optional!

 

Birch Wood Wreath - rustic and really fabulous - love the Christmas country look

 

Coffee Filter Wreath - simply stunning

 

Cookie Cutter Wreath - so fun!

 

Feather Boa Wreath - a little sexy but certainly festive



 Pretty paper wreath - craft paper, glue, ribbon and a cardboard circle can make a festive and fun wreath



Cinnamon stick wreath - smells amazing and has a  simple rustic look, add any ribbon you like




Mitten door hanger - a great alternative to a wreath, looks great inside and out.



Snowman wreath - perfect for a family home - the kids will love it! It's so cute!

 

Marshmallow wreath - looks contemporary and cool, I love the texture but all in one colour - winter white.

 


Fabric wreath - if you are a sewer or quilter and have extra fabric this would be perfect for you!

 

Snow and pine cone wreath - a bit of a country feel and again perfect for the whole winter season

 

Silver snowflake wreath - another simple sparkly decor piece, great for the whole winter not just Christmas

 


The popcorn wreath  - so fun and inexpensive plus the kids will have a blast!





The Candy Cane sun burst - what a great use of candy canes, plus it has a bit of a modern look and feel

Holiday tips and tricks....

I have asked friends and family for some of their favourite holiday tips and tricks to make the season smooth, merry and bright.

- use ice cubes to water your natural tree and/or Christmas plants (less mess)

- battery operated candles. they give you the look, they are great for home with kids, no hot wax spills and they can be used over and over again

- edible centerpieces like nuts and fruit - simple to make, they are organically beautiful and no waste

- reduce, reuse and recycle your holiday gift bags

- live in a condo with strict rules and regulations? put your wreaths (using wreath hangers) on interior doors

- use stocking hangers instead of damaging your fireplace mantel with nails. check out bed, bath and beyond for initial stocking hangers by harvey lewis.

- always buy a few extra gifts and keep them on hand - there is always an unexpected person who thinks to get you something lovely for the holiday, it's nice to give back to them too

- buy holiday cards when they are on sale and stock up for years to come

- display your family photos and Christmas cards on your tree! it makes for a great display area and now your counter space is clear of clutter.

- spritz your natural cedar wreaths and bows with water daily

- for napkins, chargers, coasters etc...stick with colours like red, white and/or gold in solids this way they can be used for other holidays such as Thanksgiving, New Year's and Valentine's day

- Do all of your baking at once and freeze it - cookies thaw out in no time!