Happy Holidays

Happiest of holidays to all people and critters alike...

(Ziggy, Tobie and Junie getting in the holiday mood)

A Reason to Celebrate

I'm typically not one to get too much into the holiday season. What starts as a simple idea of getting together with family, turns into an endless stressful four-week search for a useful gift. That's where I've been lately. Out and about.

But when the frantic shopping is over, or it is just plain decided not to overexert the spending this year, the holiday season is still very special.

The sun sets early, the temperatures are cold, and more importantly, most of us are lucky to be granted holiday time from work to spend quality time with loved ones. I find the basis of this time a pagan-like tradition. It's a time to be close to the organic. Time to visit, time to release, maybe even time to reflect and face the fears. And it's time to bring nature inside the home--to be close to Mother Earth.

This post is a homage to bringing the outside, inside. I wish there were more time in the day to make any one of these decorations for my home.

Cranberry beaded wreath getting some reflection time. (image via www.marthastewart.com)

You can eat them AND decorate with them. The almighty orange. (image via www.goodhousekeeping.com)

Those shells found on the beach can stretch beyond that aquatic themed bathroom! (image via www.coastalliving.com)

Use greenery you already have by combining existing potted succulents with fall leaves and flowers. (image via www.apartmenttherapy.com)

Woodsy pinecones make a fun and lighthearted fireplace friend. (image via www.countryliving.com)

Don't let that cake stand gather dust. Make use of it with dried flowers from the garden, such as yarrow, pictured here. (image via www.countryliving.com)

Quick Fix for a Quick Season

Short on time? Money flying out your door this holiday season? Still haven't put up the holiday decor? Tired of the same old look year by year? What to do?

Bet you are glad to hear that it's time for another Cheapskate Tip!

The significant guy and I like to keep things pretty simple for the holidays. There's enough to worry about. He's managed to hang onto a potpourri of vintage ornaments and I've managed to keep a small, potted evergreen tree alive for a few years. I simply wanted to add some color and humor to it this year.

Given that approximately 28% of busy Americans shop online for the holidays, including myself, I thought it was best to utilize the cardboard shipping boxes as a foundation to making some ornaments. I also had hoarded for years this goofy Loteria paper. Your variation could be comprised of millions of possibilities.

The corrugation inside the cardboard panels evokes a readymade pattern and texture on the sides. Just add color.

Grab the glue stick and paste away. How you hang and display your final ornament will depend on what materials you decide to utilize. I call our tree the 'Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.'

(image via Charles M. Schulz)

It was best not to attach hangers to these ornaments and hang them. Instead, the Loteria ornaments were rested atop of sprigs and branches. We added some of the lightweight vintage ornaments we already had onto the tree, and the heavier vintage ornaments were displayed on the table around the base of the tree.

In just a couple of hours, I was in the mood for the holidays. Therapeutically ready, nonetheless.