As our hearts remain heavy and the tears continue to fall over the events on Friday, we could all use a diversion, some comfort, and respite from the sadness. I will continue to blog this week in hopes that the beauty, light, joy, and entertainment that home and craft blogs bring to our world will give hurting hearts a moment of distraction and a break from the sadness. From one hurting momma to another, blessings, healing, love, and {{hugs}}.
I received numerous emails last week asking how I was able to get some of my Christmas decorations to “stick”. So today I thought I would share with you all of my Christmas decorating tips and tricks! First up, let’s answer the most popular questions. How did I hang my kitchen wreaths and the burlap bow on my refrigerator?
The answer is simple! I used 3M painter’s tape with edge lock. I’m sure any painter’s tape will do, but this particular tape has worked great for me. None of my decorations have fallen yet. I taped the ribbon to the inside of the cabinet doors and even inside the refrigerator and freezer. I wasn’t sure how the tape would hold up under the cold temperatures but the ribbon hasn’t budged.
To attach the greenery and ornaments to my kitchen window sill, I placed a spring curtain rod in the window and used beading wire (found in the jewelry section of the craft store) to attach the greenery to the rod. You can also use floral wire, but I prefer beading wire because it’s so easy to cut and work with. The ornaments are hung from white thread tied to the curtain rod.
Did you notice my cute basket tree stand? I have an awesome rotating Christmas tree stand that makes positioning the tree so easy, but it’s not the cutest base. I chose to cover my tree stand with an old orchard basket that I found on the beach a few years ago. Such a lucky score!
If your tree stand is small enough, you could just place your tree inside the basket. My tree stand has a very wide base so cutting the basket was necessary. I used a jigsaw to cut out the circle on the bottom and cut down one side of the basket. Then I simply wrapped the basket around the Christmas tree sand. Below you can see what it looks like behind the tree. The stand isn’t visible at all from the front view or even directly from the sides. The open slit still allows me to water our tree with ease.
I have a love/hate relationship with 3M hooks. I really wish they worked better for me than they do. My walls just don’t seem to like them. However, on top of mirrors I have found they work beautifully. To hang a wreath or another picture over a mirror, simply follow the package directions on your 3M hooks.
I did place a nail in my brick to hang the fresh garland over the buffet. Another tip I have for you is to use fresh greenery on your chandeliers to create fresh “wreaths” on each. I usually use the bottom clipping from our Christmas tree and just place the branches one over the other around the chandelier. I don’t secure these with wire and they always stay in place. My final tip is to think outside the box for your dining room tablecloth. I love to use throws in place of traditional tablecloths. Below I have used a cable knit throw and some strips of burlap ribbon to create mini-runners. I love the layers of texture it adds to the table.
I hope this post gave you some more tips and tricks to add to your Christmas decorating toolbox! Do you have any tips to share? I’d love to hear them :).
JP says
Wonderful, little secrets….thank you for sharing! I will share on Pinterest, now!!!
GinaE says
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one the 3M hooks won’t stay up for.
Beth, your tree with the little owls is the best tree on the web this year! Just LOVE it!!!!!!
GinaE says
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one the 3M hooks won’t stay up for.
Beth, you tree with the little owls is the best tree on the web this year! Just LOVE it!!!!!!
Anne Boykin says
Hi Beth, What a great idea – the burlap bow on your refrigerator. The wreaths look wonderful too. Thanks for the tips on how you did it.
Beckie says
Oh my gosh those fuzzy owls on your tree and so sweet Beth. I love the brick in your house with that starburst mirror. Yum!
SJ@SweeterStill says
My wreaths are a little bigger and heavier than your kitchen cabinet wreaths so I hung them with burlap and then folded the burlap and nailed it to the wall above the door/window frames. I covered the part where the nails showed with a burlap bow, but I hadn’t finished the last one before my husband saw it. He almost passed out when he saw that I had hammered two nails into the wall haha! We just had our walls painted in April and he has been really reluctant to put any nail holes in the walls. I told him not to worry that I would patch the holes myself 🙂 Hey you gotta do what you gotta do to get your stuff hung up!
Rachel says
Genius! Your decorations are so beautiful. And I’m in love with the way that basket looks on the base of your tree! I just might have to do that next year.
Judy says
Your decorations are gorgeous. Great tips.
Jackie B says
Love, love, love your stone backsplash. It is beautifully rustic! I use fishing line to tie ornaments in windows. The fishing wire is invisable and can hold a very heavy weight (as in big fish). The tension rod is so simple yet I would never have thought of it! Beautiful rooms!
Beth says
Thanks Jackie and great tip! I’ve used dental floss in a pinch and it’s incredibly sturdy but obviously not as transparent as fish line.
Jessica @ Jessabells says
Thanks for sharing the tips. I really like the tip on the basket for the tree. Your home looks wonderful. Have a great holiday. 🙂
Jessica
Tricia says
Thanks for sharing these tips! Ingenious! I’ll be on the lookout for a basket that I can cut.
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says
Great tips! Thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays!
Leslie
Brie - BreezyPinkDaisies says
Thanks so much for sharing these ideas! What a great way to hang up wreaths on your cabinets – I wouldn’t have thought to use painters tape! I will remember that when I go to hit up the after Christmas decoration sales – so I can get enough for next year! 🙂 And the bow on the fridge, so cute. I will definitely be stealing that idea sometime!
Anyway, I saw this post on pinterest and thought your kitchen looks a lot like mine! 🙂 Very similar appliances, similar-ish backsplash colors and cabinets too – check out mine at http://breezypinkdaisies.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-favorite-room-in-our-house-kitchen.html just for fun if you want to see the similarities!
Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies
Miss Kitty says
Wow! Thanks for all of these great Christmas decorating tips, Beth! I’m one of the few folks I know that is still decorating for Christmas so I still have time to use all of these great ideas.