Hasta La Ideas

Tara Hogan‘s creative Christmas ideas




*Trees

We usually do not get a tree anymore so I have been buying eucalyptus and decorating it. If you purchase a large quantity you can really create a dramatic tree and hang ornaments and lights from it. A large clear glass or milk glass vase with pebbles in the bottom works nice. I love the shape of the leaves and who says you need to get a traditional tree. I would feel better decorating a pine tree outside with white lights. I have become closer to trees and I like the idea of leaving them in the ground as much as possible.




*Tin Vintage Ornaments

I  have all of my grandmother’s vintage tin ornaments. I love placing them in decorative milk glass cake pedestals or wooden bowls. If you can get your hands on vintage holiday ornaments you can do a lot with them. They can be hung in front of windows at all different levels for contrast and it creates a stunning look in any home.




*Handmade Cards

I  love making things by hand and made this holiday card out of a 3" x 7" red vintage tag. You can find these tags on eBay or at antique stores. They already have a hole at the top if you want to use as an ornament or gift tag. I stitched this tag with with white thread to create garland.

I have a lot of paper materials to work from in a large box. I save all my Anthropologie catalogs as they make for great pieces in a collage. Old books, wallpaper scraps, scraps from a hole puncher, you name it, I have it here.

*Paper Mobile or Garland

All of these paper scraps can make an interesting Holiday mobile or paper chain as well. I used some small metal red bells and misc paper scraps left over from my collages. You could add you popcorn to this too and have a really fun chain link full of recycled materials. It looks romantic, vintage, and fun.




*Laser cut Ornaments or Wallhangings or Trivets

This year I began to make laser cut wooden ornaments out of scrap wood. The laser cut pears are a new addition for INK+WIT. All you need is bakers twine and you have a lovely ornament. Even past the holidays.



I experimented in making these larger and  love how they sit in the window. Right now they are unfinished but I may paint them. If you research laser cutters in your aree or online you can easily send them your designs to make ornaments or wall hangings. They also work as trivets on the dining room table

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