Remember how I said Mom, Dad and I each had our one “special” ornament? Well, Sears sent over these two as a thank-you for attending their event a few weeks ago, and Kendrick immediately pounced on the one on the right. I love the one on the left, so…marital bliss: intact.
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Christmas Tree Decorating with Kmart
Kmart products generously provided by retailer.
I’m not sure that I’m on board with this idea, but I thought I’d bring it to your attention anyway, as it’s quite cute.
Bronner’s.com suggests incorporating your artificial tree into your year-round decor in the following ways:
Valentine’s Tree (above): Red heart-shaped lights (or miniature red or white lights), heart garlands, silk roses, baby’s breath, heart-shaped ornaments, cherubs, red and white ribbons.
St. Patrick’s Tree: Green shamrock garlands or ribbons, shamrock ornaments, shamrock-shaped lights (or green miniature lights), leprechauns, Irish ornaments.
Sigh. So lovely.
Some Christmas tree decorating tips:
1. If using a live tree, check water level frequently.
2. To prolong the life of a live tree, mix 1 quart water with 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1 tsp liquid bleach.
Kendrick had…a little trouble securing the tree topper (that is not his happy face).
One of my favorite Kmart ornaments, the Jaclyn Smith Traditions Glitter Poinsettia. I dotted the tree with these in gold, silver and burgundy, and they picked up the light beautifully.
These ornaments have little clips on the backs, which is fantastic if, like us, you routinely forget to pick up a box of little wire ornament-hangers prior to beginning the decorating process.
Kmart products generously provided by retailer.
This is one of my favorite ornaments, and probably our oldest one. When I was little, my mom, dad, and I each had our “special ornament” - mine was my dove (which over the years sort of fell to pieces, and was very sweetly replaced by Kendrick last year), Dad’s was a motorcycle-driving Santa, and Mom’s was this figure skater. We got her a fancier one a few years ago, and this dilapidated little thing was subsequently handed over to me. I was a competitive figure skater until about age 14, and my mother still ice-skates (we started taking classes together when I was about four), so this ornament never fails to stir up some nostalgia.
Our Christmas Elf, helpfully lounging under the tree.
Last night, Kendrick and I decorated our tree with help from our sleepy Christmas Elf (under the tree). We’ve only spent three Christmases together, and this is the first time we’ve had an apartment big enough for a grownup-sized tree, so we were pretty psyched. We’ve accumulated a mere five or six ornaments over the course of our relationship, so we stocked up on beautiful ornaments from Kmart and mixed them in with what we already owned, with (I think) lovely results.
We decided on a fake tree from Martha Stewart Everyday instead of a real one for a few reasons: 1) we live in a fourth-floor walkup, 2) it’s beautiful, and comes pre-lit, and 3) Lucy is a curious little thing, and I worry about her eating pine needles and drinking water with tree food in it (according to the ASPCA, this is dangerous for animals).
Kmart products generously provided by retailer.
In the home section at Saks Fifth Avenue, I discovered this gorgeous, Alice-in-Wonderland-esque Peppermint Tree Topper ($58) by MacKenzie-Childs. I love lots of items in the line, particularly the Courtly Check Ball Ornament Set ($52) and the Courtly Check Menorah ($318).
Some non-holiday-themed MacKenzie-Childs pieces that I think are spectacular:
