| Decorating A Christmas Tree -- Collectibles Style | |
|
First decide where in the kitchen it will work best. Do you have a small corner that a realistic small narrow tree would fit in? ( I call them my Charlie Brown trees). What about a corner on the counter that would not get in the workspace way? A small tree would even work on a table or desk top. If you have a smaller artificial tree that is the right height, but just too wide for the spot -- pull out those back branches, make it fit your spot. No one said you have to use all the branches!
There are many kitchen oriented collectibles, but the ones that spring to mind first that are ideal to use on a tree are cookie cutters. I have a huge store counter bin that I keep all my cookie cutters in year round except at Christmas time. These can be stuck on the branches as is, or use a curling ribbon to tie them on the tree with cascading curls.
What about some of those old vintage aluminum measuring spoons? Do you have any wooden green or red handled utensils? Those are perfect and colorful to put on the tree. Next, think about some old advertising tins that are gracing your shelves -- go ahead and wedge them into branches back towards the trunk of the tree.
You can even use breakables on the tree, but that is where it gets tricky if they don't have a built in handle to hang them with. A later page will explain how I put a cookie jar in one of my trees -- and it was very cool looking!
At this point turn on the lights and stand back and see what else is needed. Fill-ins that are not collectibles could be homemade gingerbread looking ornaments (see recipe) that smell wonderful, candy canes and loops of the same curly ribbon that were used to do some of the ties. For the top of the tree -- think away from the standard finials. Is one of your cookie cutters a large Star that might work? What about an inexpensive soft fabric gingerbread boy doll?
Finished?
Not quite, what about underneath the tree? A vintage tablecloth or old vintage dishtowels could be a perfect tree skirt. Try them out in different ways to see if they work. Then on top of the skirt add a few items that were too big or heavy for the tree. For example, a few large advertising tins or last year I had several gingerbread house cookie jars under the cookie tree.
Hints
- Don't be afraid to use big items on a tree, as long as it won't tip the tree over -- small things get lost.
- If you do find an inexpensive ornament to help fill out the tree, buy a few of them and group together for more impact.
- Decorating below the tree is as important as wearing the right shoes with an outfit.
| Reader Tip from Ann Sizemore of Home Traditions: For your kitchen tree, use silver cutlery, teacups, wooden spoons, fruit such as dried oranges and apples, antique utensils, and vintage crocheted potholders hung with a ribbon. |
Next pageA Wizard Tree for the Kids Page 1, 2, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7,
