Do you find it a stress and strain getting organized for Christmas? I know that each year I have more to do and it seems less time to do it in! I hear all the good advice out there about starting early, being prepared, making lists, and although I don’t ever start early enough, and I have loads of lists.I never feel in control, but somehow it all comes together on the day so to speak.  I think the most important thing is to remember to have fun with it all.

My favorite part of getting ready for Christmas is decorating the house and yard. It’s such a fun part of the whole process. I love choosing a theme for the house and extending that into the garden. This year I think I will be looking at Angels, So we will have angel ornaments throughout the house and angels suspended in the yard. There are many different kinds of angels Christmas ornaments available. There are metallic angels, country style angels, glass angel ornaments , hand painted angels, you can even get your children to make their own paper angels. That was always a good pastime near Christmas when I was little. I can add angels to napkin holders and scatter sequin angels on the table. Now I’m starting to warm up to this theme, I can have angel themed bonbons or Christmas crackers, with angel chocolates inside! Shall we buy Christmas toys to match our theme? Of course there would have to be a Christmas Angel on the top of the tree!

I have recently discovered wall quotes - where you have some words or a saying made up on a vinyl sheet and stick it on the wall. These can be used on walls, or cars anywhere that vinyl can attach to. It would be stylish to have a line from a Christmas carol made up and used as Christmas Décor for you entrance hall. It doesn’t have to be just words it can be wall art and it can be removed after Christmas. Great for adding to the Christmas feeling.

Remember that you can decorate anywhere and everywhere in the house at Christmas, involve the children they love to be a part of the festive occassion- give then a special job to do and let them get on with it.

What theme will you choose for your Christmas décor? I can think of others that would be fun, Santas, elves, snowmen, maybe a color theme, or all natural with holly. Be sure to have lots of fun choosing, preparing and decorating. So get your lists ready, plan, shop and remember that in the end it’s about being with family - and of course the Christmas presents under the tree!

Christmas Baubles

The most common Christmas decoration around, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that everyone who has a Christmas box has at least one of these. They have been around for many years and unlike other early ornaments are not edible so could be kept from year to year. Today the basic Christmas ball can be found in glass or plastic, can be colored just about any color or combination of colors, can be filled with anything such as tinsel, glitter or candy. It is such a versatile ornament that it will be around for many more years.

Tinsel

We use tinsel on the tree because it sparkles and we are drawn to glittery things especially when light is added, which is exactly why tinsel was invented. the Germans used real silver shredded, but it tarnished and eventually artificial tinsel was produced. Apparently tinsel has been around since the early 1600s. Today tinsel is available in a huge assortment of colors, thicknesses and variants of straight tinsel or tinsel with extra bits sticking out.

Angels

Santa CHristmas decoration

Angels have been associated with Christmas since the Bible mentioned the Archangel Gabriel. The idea of angels watching over us appeals to lots of people. Over the years the style of angel has changed from the traditional religious depiction to just about anything that has wings and a dress. There are cute little angels that appeal to children, glass or china angels that are more simply stylised and appeal to adults, and just about any kind in between. Angels can be homemade Christmas ornaments very easily and in degrees of complexity. Most of us will have an angel somewhere in the box.

Santa

Santa is such a huge part of Christmas for children and has been around in his many incarnations for a very long time. St Nicholas was first mentioned in the 4th century, and through word of mouth has become Santa. The myth of Santa and where he lives was perpetrated as parents and businesses strove to answer children’s questions. There is a thriving business in Lapland was Santa currently lives! The popular image of Santa in a red coat with white fur was popularised in America and Canada in the early 19th century by a political cartoonist. But now all children believe that Santa wears red and white. We all have something of Santa in our house at Christmas time, even if it only the letter the children wrote.

Candy Canes

These were originally all white straight candy canes and have been around for nearly 400 years in Europe. At one point a candy maker decided to make them like shepherd crooks and gave them away at Christmas, this became a popular tradition. The traditional came to America by a German immigrant who decorated his tree with candy canes. No-one knows how or why the candy canes became red and white, but they did and have stayed that way since first introduced. Today we use candy canes on the tree and uses artificial candy cane as decorations for other parts of our houses and gardens.

Snowmen

No-one really knows how the snowman was invented, but snow was only really associated with Christmas in the early 19th century. But the  snowman is popular both to make and to have effigies of. Snowman Christmas decorations are commonly available both in cute  or cartoon forms of more serious poses. Snowmen are easy to make for children’s Christmas craft.

Snowflakes

Again only associated with Christmas relatively recently, but the complexity of the snowflake makes it an interesting ornament to have around and appropriate to put on the tree to help it look like it has snow on it. The snowflake can be made with glitter to help reflect the light, which also increases its appeal. Glass or crystal Christmas ornament snowflakes can also be found made by companies like Swarovski or Waterford.

Cats and Chickens

These types of Christmas decorations are for people who rebel against Christmas or those who are passionate about the pets or interests. The idea of having your Christmas tree ornaments themed around a favorite pet or cartoon character can make a display that stands out.

Beaded Ornaments by Alaskan Bead lair

When we think of Christmas and ornaments, the tree is a large part of the overall effect. The Christmas tree takes center stage in all our Christmas preparations and a large part of the event is around the tree. Do you plan your Christmas theme early in the year or just let it happen? There is no doubt a themed Christmas display can look stunning, but sometimes just letting the children put up all their favorite and homemade decorations can look great too. What kind of themes are there? Well there is the winter wonderland, country effect,one color and the as it happens!

Winter wonderland

I have a friend who is passionate about her Christmas tree, no-one gets to dress the tree except her. It looks great, all white and crystal, white Christmas ornaments, white string or fairy lights and white tinsel, a true winter tree. She has glass  Christmas tree ornaments in white with crystal beads, which glow under the Christmas lights. I love Christmas trees decorated like that, but I don’t have the discipline required to keep my tree pristine!

Country Effect

This is where the wooden Christmas tree ornaments come into their own. This is where anything “natural” works well, so wood or straw or dried fruits. Many painted wooden decorations look great on and around the tree. Dried fruits were one of the earliest forms of Christmas tree ornament and can look lovely, if you add cloves into them to make pomanders they can also smell great and add to the festive aromas.

One Color

This is where everything on the tree is variants of one color and can look stunning as all the textures and shade you have create a visual treat. So any kind of Christmas tree decoration can be used. Pick your color try to get Christmas tree lights and tinsel that have slightly different shades of the color. In a single color theme lots of the same shape such as baubles can work well and it is easy to find packs of the same shade Christmas balls in the store or online.

As Is Happens

This is the theme we use at my house! There are some items that always go on the tree like the tree lights and tinsel, but after that it is whoever gets there first! There are always homemade Christmas ornaments - especially the new ones and some old favorites. Then the favorite ornaments get carefully placed - the height they go depends upon the height of the child dressing the tree. The angel Christmas tree topper has to be placed by an adult and it is another old favorite handmade Christmas ornament when they were little.

All in all how you dress you tree is a personal thing and can be to provide a stunning backdrop to your entertaining or for the children to be part of the family celebrations. Of course we put presents around and the tree and also form part of the overall decoarations. To find out what are the top Christmas presents? Have a look you may or may not be surprised! Have fun with yours!

I discovered bead work this way. I was looking for a simple beaded angel to make for my girls. I found a number of different styles of making angels and along the way to finding what I was after I came across brickwork stitch for beading. I came across some patterns to make earrings, but realised that they could be adapted to be used for other ornaments. These beaded Christmas charms are just sewn together using a needle and thread (OK a long needle and strong thread!). The designs can be worked out on squared paper and made up using different colored beads to make the finished item. The hardest thing was learning how to sew beads using brickwork stitch. But once you get into a rhythm that just flows.The best beads to use are Delica beads as they come in a consistent size and have an enormous range or colors and shade, metallic, silver and gold.

These beaded Christmas decorations can be used as gifts for earrings or for handmade bonbons or crackers. They can be added to key rings or bookmarks.They can also be added as a tassel to a bauble to hang on the tree. There are many different designs such as Santa, Mrs Santa, elf, trees, angels, snowmen, reindeer,and the principle can be extended to other themes. Beaded Christmas decorations can really add a unique and personal  facet to your Christmas theme.  Use them as covers for Christmas baubles with the color of the beads contrasting or toning with the color of the ball. They can be added to glass ornaments as an accent. Make beaded napkin holders for your Christmas table napkins, or wine bottle covers.

BeadCover by Prized Possessions

Another type beaded Christmas ornaments is using glass beads to make up an ornament like an angel or a snowflake. In these kind wire is used to hold the beads in the design chosen, the beads can be plain or colored and the ornament can be hung on the tree. A variant of this type is the free standing ornament such as an angel where the beads are joined together to create a small figurine to sit on the table top.

Beaded Christmas ornaments add a variety to my Christmas tree ornaments and I get a sense of satisfaction form making them.

Interestingly glass ornaments have been part of the Christmas tradition for many many years. Although these days most Christmas ornament balls are made of plastic. Glass came to be used during the 1840s when glass makers began experimenting with glass shapes. At first balls were hand blown into the bauble shape, later they blew the glass into molds to make all sorts of different shapes. The mold would be made of clay and have lots of painstaking details added to it, the glass would be heated in a tubular form.When the glass was at the proper temperature then the heated section of the tube would be placed through the mold and blown until the glass filled the mold, when removed the glass would be the same shape as the mold.  Around this time it was discovered a silvering technique that allow the glass to appear solid and reflective. When the shaped glass be it bauble or molded shape had cooled slightly the silver nitrate would be added to it until it coated the inside of the glass. Thus the original glass ball. Then after the glass had cooled it would be hand painted to be a Santa or teddy bear etc.

The most prized glass ornaments today are made of lead crystal. Lead crystal is glass that has be altered by adding lead oxide to it, this make the glass harder, so it can be machined to make facets. It is the facets that make the reflections that make crystal so appealing. Swarovski was one of the leading proponents of this type of crystal and it still so today. The star is the most popular form of crystal Christmas ornament and Waterford and Swarovski make annual editions of them every year. Most of the large crystal making companies produce ranges just for Christmas and many of them are collectors items and appreciate in value each year.

In the arts and crafts world clear glass Christmas ornaments are also a novelty especially if they are decorated with gold, this makes them especially opulent, but fragile, not for the children to handle.

There are many large companies that make  glass Christmas ornaments  including Swarovski, Waterford, Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Lalique, Baccarrat, Stuart and Nambe.

So if you haven’t already go and get a glass Christmas ornament for your tree this year.

We need

Temari design

Basic ball either felted wool or Styrofoam ball

yarn any color will do as it will not be seen, 4 ply or thinner.

thread a reel in the color of your choice.

embroidery threads to suit your design.  Can be pearl cotton, silks, metallics or ribbons

long needles

long pins

scissor

paper to help with marking and dividing the ball

Tassels optional

Steps

1.Take the ball shape and wrap the yarn around it randomly so that the ball is evenly covered. You are looking to cover the ball with this step.

2.Take the thread (ordinary cotton sewing thread is ideal) and wrap this around the ball in a similar manner until all the yarn is covered. This gives you an interesting texture to base your embroidery on. About 300 yards of thread will be needed for this step.

3. The next step is to mark out the poles and equatorial regions on the ball. Most of the temari designs are geometrical. Depending upon your design you may need marking threads as well as pins. The marking threads can be in the same thread as the background (to be invisible) or can be in a contrasting color and form part of the design or can be a thread that will be removed at the finish. The divison are based on mathematical interpretations and will vary with the complexicity of the design. The best thing here is to choose a simple pattern and follow detailed instructions.

4. Sewing using long lengths of thread following the pattern.

There are many designs available so look out for books on the subject. For free patterns try TemariKari

Photo Courtesy WKlager

Making Christmas ornaments can involve the whole family. It doesn’t matter how old anyone is, everyone can find something to make, be it painting or sticking for the little ones, to more complicated crafts for older children. A preschool child can be helped to make either a reindeer or Santa; they can color and be helped with cutting and folding.  An older child can do cutting themselves to make rows of angels, a teenager can make some quite involved bead angels or stars and the adults can choose from a huge assortment of ideas - just look online for ideas. I have made some Christmas themed beaded shapes as gift tags for my Christmas presents in the past. I usually buy some readymade wooden shapes for my children to paint. They paint them in their own unique way - not at all as you would expect, and often in interesting colors! The important thing is that they had fun doing it and remember that.

It is always a good thing to spend time with your loved ones at Christmastime; it is especially good to be doing an activity they enjoy.  If they make something for their trees they can proudly hang it for the world to see. It really doesn’t matter what ornaments you make, we have made anything from gold stars with glitter edges to paper angels, and more complicated creations that need time for paint to dry. It is nice to do something everyone can take part in - maybe make a yearly Christmas plate with all the family decorating it. There are many other homemade Christmas gifts that your family can also participate in.

You can be very creative when you choose your theme. Will it be gold or silver this year? Maybe you feel like a traditional red and green Christmas?  You may decide to be ultra modern and make cars for the tree or go for a more traditional look with pine cones and popcorn. There are so many different materials to choose from paper, wood, straw, glass, painted or not, metal, fabric, tinsel or greenery (pine cones, holly and mistletoe).

It is totally up to you how you opt to make your Christmas decorations. That is main pleasure of having handmade Christmas decorations in your home. Well that and of course the time spent with your family in making them!

For family members collecting to start their children off on their own Christmas decoration box, it may start with the bauble with your child’s name on for their first Christmas and go from there. Some homemade Christmas gifts end up in the Christmas box.  Some collections just happen as each year your child chooses an ornament or make some artwork at school and they keep being added to the box. Some things are more special than others, the ones that remind you of a particular age or stage, such as the ball they chased when they were just crawling.

Some collections come about as an extension to a hobby you already enjoy. Collecting cats may lead you to collect Christmas cats! If you collect china then you may look for Christmas related pieces that would give you a special mini collection to enjoy at Christmas.  Some people collect soft toys and add Christmas dressed ones to their collection for the festive season.  Another type of Christmas decoration that is great to collect is angels - it is so easy to fill your house with angels for the yuletide.

If you are a traveler and like have keepsakes, but don’t need them displayed all year round, then collecting Christmas themed ornaments from the places you have been to can be effective. At Christmastime you can open the box filled with memories of the countries and cultures you have seen, and then put them away at the end of the holidays.

Some people collect items that have cultural significance or are important family traditions. These items help make each family’s traditions unique. Religious items are very important to those with faith.

Items can also be collected as investments - these can be enjoyed now or put aside for later. An example of this kind of ornament is Swarovski crystal. Swarovski produce very fine crystal and every year release a limited edition Christmas star that is only available for the year of issue. Some of these stars have been valuable as there are very few of them in existence. They are lovely ornament that is also an investment.

These are a few of the reasons why people collect Christmas ornaments.  Christmas decorations are available for such a short time, so whatever your reason, I hope you enjoy them!

My favourite Christmas ornaments for the tree it has to be said are the Swarovski crystal ones. I love my crystal stars and the little house. I will try to find a picture of them. Having said that I do like most other kinds of glass ornament too. I have some gorgeous hand blown glass balls, some with gold leaf, much to precious for the children’s Christmas tree so that have to wait a while before I can hang them again. I love the way the lights play on and through the glass it makes the tree so special.

I also like natural Christmas ornaments, wooden or straw.I once found an interesting alternative to the Christmas - a wicker spriral,about 6 ft long, wrapped in faux greenery, white lights and hung outside, it makes a lovely entrance piece. I have made my own bauble out of felted wool, wrapped in embroidery thread and then woven with contrasting colors. I much later found that it is called a temari ball. It is nice to have contributed your own handiwork to the Christmas ornament collection.

My children also love Christmas ornaments, as I was not allowed to buy them as a child, we have a tradition of each child being able to choose one new ornament each Christmas, that way they will have the start of their own collection by the time they leave home. My kids get so excited at looking at Christmas ornaments and choose carefully which one they would like. They also get to make different ones at home, we have many varieties of homemade decorations, from angels of varying styles to stars and reindeer.

My children have taken over the tree decoration and it is great that they do, but I am looking forward to getting it back (or maybe just get my own tree!) to put all my special Christmas ornaments on.

To find out some of my favorite Christmas Ornaments