Modern Home Decorating

Home Decorating and Interior Design Ideas

Archive for November, 2009

where can I buy retro style Christmas decorations?

Posted by Jade Martins on Nov-28-2009

I really want some old fashioned tissue Christmas decorations. Both the long garlands and the honeycomb style eg candles, bells etc. Prices are going through the roof on e bay. Is there anywhere in the uk that sell them, either genuine 50′s ones or replicas. (not the metallic ones, only paper ones) Thankyou.

Since you have specified the UK, here are sites where you can buy replicas, but they are not cheap either.

http://www.christmastimeuk.com/ctuktest/browse.php?action=view&cat_id=28

http://www.christmastimeuk.com/themes08.php?category=Christmas-Paper-Decorations&cat=10304

http://www.partycheap.com/Christmas_Tissue_Decorations_s/249.htm

http://www.partypacks.co.uk/spage.asp?urx=t:Paper+Decorations;cd:pg;dt:PaperDec;

You would only find authentic ones on second hand market stalls and retro stores. They have acquired rarity value because they spoilt easily and most people discarded them when they were damaged or dirtied. The same applies to authentic blown glass decorations that now cost a fortune. One rarely sees that sort of thing in charity shops. Many have gone all trendy and most now limit themselves to nearly new goods, rejecting articles that they consider unappealing and that will not bring money because soiled or unfashionable. It is not the time of the year for car boot sales, which might yield something, but may be a covered antique market might.

There are other sites but they are in the USA and charge in dollars. Shipping would be extra and British customs also charge duty on arrival. I bought some ornaments last year and the custom charge added another twenty pounds to the overall cost even though they were second hand and had originally been made in Europe.

Here is the list of ornaments
1)Christmas tree topper
2)Christmas balls
3)Christmas lights
4)Twinkle lights
5)glass ornaments
6)Gingerbread men
7)Garland
8)Popcorn strings and other strings of food
What do Christmas ornaments symbolize?

I know what the ones on my family’s tree symbolize, some are purely ornamental and just for the sake of decoration. Others have been handed down through generations.

I am a Nanny and was thinking of doing a Christmas ornament craft with the kids. I’m looking for something cheap, easy and quick because these kids have a low attention span!

My kids and I so enjoyed making these these chubby gingerbread men ornaments and wintry mitten ornaments.

Because they are made of felt they are very inexpensive to create but super cute as well. I have to admit I think the gingerbread man is my fav but both were winners with my kids.

How to Make Chubby Gingerbread Man Ornaments

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/412740/how_to_make_chubby_gingerbread_man.html

How to Make Felt Mitten Ornaments for Christmas

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/433268/how_to_make_felt_mitten_ornaments_for.html

I need the ornament to depict a little African American girl and boy around the ages of 10 for the girl and 5 for the boy. I like elegant looking ornaments, something like silver, glass, or crystal. I want to give the ornament to someone very special to me for Christmas. I know I am starting early but I want it to be perfect.

try christopherradko.com

Would you share your Christmas traditions?

Posted by Jade Martins on Nov-27-2009

I wanted to know if you would be willing to share some of your Christmas traditions. When and how did they start? What do they mean to you? Are you going to start some new traditions this year? If so ,what traditions are you going to start? I know this is a broad question, thank you for sharing with us, and have a merry Christmas!

My family, my father,my sister and her family, some cousins and aunts and uncles all get together on Christmas Eve. About 30 of us.

This year is the 40th year that we have been doing this.

We come together about 5 for family pictures, then about 6 we have dinner, everybody makes their favorite dishes and brings them over to my house this year. Buffet style. Everybody helps themselves.

Some of the foods are;

zeppole, fried dough with salted cod or anchovies in it.
Spaghetti with baccala in a tomato sauce—–my husband makes that.
Rib roast and stuffed, baked potatoes for people that don’t eat fish.
Stuffed shrimp, fried calamari—my children love that.
Fried smelts—-for my dad
Stuffed breads. Ect.

After dinner we put everybody’s name in a bag, and we pull out name to see who is going to go open their present first.
We videotape the entire evening.
Then we watch videos from the previous years.

Christmas Day…we get all dressed up and go to church, then we go over my daughter’s house for dinner. There will be about 30 people there as well. Buffet style. Everybody helps themselves and finds a place to sit.

Throughout all this the children taught and are reminded the true meaning of Christmas—————the birth of our Saviour—Jesus Christ.

We collect food in our church and make baskets to give out to those who are in need.


Have you heard of Southern Living at HOME? It’s the home decor division of Southern Living magazine. Check out my website: www.southernlivingathome.com/diane.

Like Urban Outfitters. Something edgy, more modern, eclectic? Any suggestions?

Try CB2.com It’s crate&barrel’s modern line. All of it is super awesome, and I think it’s probably just what you’re looking for!