Ideas for Next Christmas

Ready, Set, Craft had a BRILLIANT idea to post Christmas ideas that you’d like to try next year.  I have a few ideas tucked away that I’m afraid I’ll forget, or didn’t get a chance to try this year.  By posting them here, I can check back before the rush of the season next year and be reminded of the things I wanted to make/ buy/ try!

*  I’d also like to cook the main dish for Christmas Day in our slow cooker instead of the oven.  We had a major oven traffic jam this year, so the slow cooker would solve that!  Anyone have a great recipe for a slow-cooked roast to share?

*  Bead covered pinecones, inspired by the ones for sale at Crate and Barrel.  I think they’d be easy enough to pull off, and cheaper to make than to buy!

*  I hang our Christmas cards from a ribbon across the mantle, and I used vintage pinecone candle clips to hang them.  I ran out of room, so I’d like to glue festive paper cut-outs to the front of mini-clothespins to supplement them next year!

*  I have silvery pink ornaments and gorgeous pink ribbon I bought but didn’t use.  Next year, I’m making a blushing wreath or using them on Noodle’s little tree (see “To Buy”).

*  I wrote a whole tutorial on how to make a family banner but didn’t get a chance to post it yet.  I ‘d like to start this project sooner next year to have it ready to hang by Christmas!

*  We have 7 wreaths on the outside of the house if you count the front door and windows.  I have a plant basket hook next to the garage, and another wreath on it would be overkill.  I was thinking of making a kissing ball, like this one from Williams-Sonoma:

*  ‘Tis the year for new stockings.  And an advent calendar.  If I find ones I love, I’ll buy them.  Otherwise, they’re on my crafting to-do list!

*  HGTV’s special on 25 Great Holiday Ideas had a photo gifts wrapped in brown paper bags (but fancied up with bows and ribbon).  So simple and chic, plus the neutral background gives you a blank slate to decorate.  It’s eco-friendly to boot!

*  A white and silver “themed” Christmas tree.  I already have the white Lenox ornaments.  Next year, I’d like to add bead covered pinecones, a wide white sheer ribbon as the garland, and perhaps a white feathered bird at the top to match my feather wreath (if I can find one that’s not too tacky).

 I held out for the after Christmas sales but found things were cleared out.  Next year I’ll buy things before the holidays during a pre-Christmas sale!

• another Christmas light storage set
• an upright wrapping storage bin (I only found broken ones at Target)
• a small tree for Noodle (my mom did this for us… it was great to have our “own” tree in our room to show off our personal ornaments or the extras from the big tree.  I have vivid memories of lying awake looking at the tree lights, filled with a feeling of happiness and love for this holiday.  And I was only 7!
• A taller Christmas tree (yes, honey, I said it!  But you’ll only know it if you read the blog today…)
• candles in the window that are on a timer.  We tried battery powered this year… total FAIL.
• A 2010 frame to match our awesome 2009 one from Danielson Designs!

*  I missed getting a Santa photo this year.  I attempted one on Christmas Eve but the line would have easily taken us 3 hours to get through.  Next year?  We’re going at 1:00 on a Tuesday, preferably in November.  😉

*  My husband took a day off for a festive day of fun.  Unfortunately, we didn’t decide on what to do on that festive day of fun until about 3PM.  We had a great time at Longwood Gardens, but next year we’re planning it a week in advance and leaving the house before noon!

*  A family photo.  Please, Santa, bring us a family photo.  I have one photo of the three of us, taken in early November as were were running out the door.  Prior to that, I think our last family photo was taken last February.  So sad!  We do spend time together, just apparently not near a camera.