Ok, I said I was going to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to bring out the Christmas totes.
I succumbed to the pressure this weekend, and I don’t regret a minute of it.
That means that this weekend was full of Christmas music, me deciding which Hallmark movies I want to watch first, and some decorating!
In years past I have found myself decorating the entire house.
Even in a smaller home, that is a ton of work to put up and take down.
I decided to bring my totes down from the attic and review everything I have. What colors I want to use and stick to a few areas in our home that I will decorate.
We have a large live tree in our front living room each year, and a mantel to adorn.
Then a smaller tree and mantel in our family room.
With a few things in the entry and of course the outdoor decorations, that is what I am going to focus on.
And I am so happy about it, almost relieved.
I don’t have to use everything.
I don’t have to stay up most of the night on Thanksgiving evening working at a frantic pace like Buddy the Elf making snow flakes at Gimbels Dept. Store while fellow coworkers are asleep.
Sometimes the most beautiful things are simple, with a little flair.
Maybe that is why so many of us love thrifting.
I remember yard sales popping up in my neighborhood when I was a kid. I would shove all of my earthly wealth into my jean pockets, feather my hair quickly, and hit the road on the old Schwinn.
I had a play house where I would make mud pies, mud spaghetti (pushing mud thru a strainer) and complex desserts, all in you guessed it…
Mud.
I needed dishes, and table linens for my set up so I was always on the hunt for a diamond in the rough in the neighborhood.
I had a few rules however, nothing could cost more than 25 cents (preferably 10 cents) I had to get that feeling (little did I know what this skill was at the time- I was shopping for my mud cafe remember.)
And lastly, nothing needed to be too matchy-matchy.
As the years went on and I was driving, the mud house was where we stored the lawn equipment and I was working 35 hours a week the last two years of high school.
My old Ford however took me to every vintage shop and thrift store in town, and I began a lifelong love of thrifting.
On a recent trip to Goodwill I knew I wanted to give some Christmas ornaments a makeover so I was on the lookout for the right shape and pattern for my makeover.
I found a container for just a couple of dollars that met my criteria and in the cart they went. I was not 100% sure on my color yet but I wanted to give them a modern/old world update.
I ended up choosing a mid tone khaki color and a pretty olive green. Mixing a 50/50 blend of baking soda and acrylic paint I painted four with each color.
Once I left them to dry I sprinkled some more baking soda on each ornament. When they were fully dry I used a clean paint brush to brush off the excess. I experimented with a bit of antique gold acrylic paint but only liked the way it looked on the green ornaments.
A bit of the original color peeks thru here and there which seems to make them look aged without trying. I love happy accidents!
I strung some narrow pale pink ribbon thru the hook on each ornament and tied the ribbon at the top.
At this point I knew Buddy the Elf would approve for sure.
I have seen sets of 4 ornaments very similar for upwards of $32 recently online. When you have an entire tree to deck I am not sure that many of us want to spend a small fortune on ornaments.
So, thrifting and a little DIY was all it took to get the high end look for a little.
The creators of Hallmark movies possibly did not see the connection between their characters and the sheer possibility on aisle 4 at Goodwill.
Thank you for crafting with me today friend, and saving a few bucks while having some fun 🙂
Until next time, xx Tanya
42 Responses
What a wonderful look this gives, I love these ornaments. I would have never though of using baking soda. They turned out so pretty! I’d love for you to share this at my weekly link up, Tell It To Me Tuesday. You can find this weeks here: https://perfectlyimperfect-lwl.com/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-23-11-21-23-link-party/
Thank you Lyndsey I would love to! xx Tanya
I saw baking soda used on ceramic pumpkins this year so the look is definintely “in.” I love thrifting, too. and I have come a long way in learning to think outside the box! This year I had resolved to do more crafting and simple sewing; my church Christmas bazaar and family are benefiting! The dust kitties in corners are a bit more vicious but I am happier!
Oh boy do I hear you on the dust kitties! Well, they will be there when you get back from doing what you love 🙂 Hugs and thank you for stopping by! xx Tanya
Tanya!! OMG I LOVE them!! They look JUST LIKE those flocked ornaments that I’ve been looking everywhere for. You are a genius and an expert thrifter!! I will need to try this method if I can’t find any soon!!
You are too sweet Rachel 🙂 I think more than anything I like to make a lot with a little, and I know you are a master at the same! Hugs my friend xx Tanya
OMG Tanya, why don’t you live closer? We could totally craft and thrift and hang! I love the way these came together and how you dusted them with baking powder to give them a bit of extra texture too. They’re gorgeous! Just pinned and will share this Friday on my From the Front Porch post too. Big hugs, CoCo
I have been wishing the same thing CoCo! I don’t know a lot of local bloggers so I am very thankful we can create across the miles together still 🙂 thank you friend, xx Tanya
Tanya, you always have the cutest projects… I’m loving these. How clever are you!!
Thank you for sharing your DIY textured Christmas ornaments at Create, Bake, Grow and Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring them at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Thank you Kerryanne! I am so happy to hear you like them too, they were so easy but don’t look like it, that is always the best 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful week! xx Tanya
Hello dear Daughter-in-Love,
I saw your special tree with the beautiful ornaments on Thanksgiving Day and assumed they came with the tree. They look so beautiful and “rich.” Now I find I get to have the same look by “copying” your wonderful DIY project—best form of flattery! Thank you for sharing your wealth of creativity!
Loving you, Your mom-in-love
Thank you so much Candis aka my AMAZING mom in love 🙂 you are my greatest cheerleader thank you so much!! xx Tanya
I totally get your decision to scale back on decorating! It’s like you’re giving your holiday self a big sigh of relief. I also love how you tied in your childhood thrifting memories. It made me think of my own attempts at finding treasures at yard sales. Do you think you’ll still have time to watch all those Hallmark movies with your new, more manageable decorating plan? 😜 And what’s your favorite mud creation you made in that playhouse?
Love your Christmas decorating plan! Focusing on key areas sounds smart. I remember similar yard sale hunts as a kid, like your mud pie dishes quest. What’s your favorite thrifted find for Christmas decor?
I love this approach. it’s so refreshing to hear someone simplify the season without losing the joy of it. Focusing on a few key areas sounds much more Summertime Saga intentional and less overwhelming. Your comment about not needing to do it all really hit home. Sometimes scaling back actually makes everything feel more meaningful and cozy. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I love how you approach decorating with intention and simplicity! It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to use everything you have, but focusing on a few key areas really lets each piece shine. I also love that you take the time to enjoy the process—listening to music, watching Hallmark movies, and just soaking in the festive vibe makes decorating so much more fun. Your approach is a great reminder that Christmas decor doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be beautiful.
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