Modern Home Decorating

I have read somewhere that there are certain ornaments for a christmas tree that are traditional and each has a meaning. The only one i can remember is a "pickle" and I think it means prosperity. Does anyone have any info on these? Also I think another was a bird of some sort.

It never fails. Every December someone asks about the German Christmas pickle ornament that’s supposed to have a long tradition in Germany.

Here’s the pickle “legend” from one Web site: “A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.” This Christmas pickle story, with a few minor variations, can be found all over the Web and in print inside the ornament package. It says that Germans hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree hidden away so it’s difficult to find. The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra present.

Of course, anyone familiar with German Christmas customs can see the flaws in this “legend.” First of all, the German St. Nick doesn’t show up on Christmas Eve. He arrives on the 5th or 6th of December. Nor do German children open their presents on Christmas morning. That happens on Christmas Eve in Germany

my family are coming to the uk tomorrow and i wanted to decorate my house for xmas didnt think of it til now am i too late or will i still be able to get some somewhere?

Nip into ASDA’s, its all on offer
I got ten rolls of 10 metre wrapping paper for ONE pound

they just wanna clear the stocks

Some people won’t admit it, but there will be times that we all need some help when it comes to home decorating.  C. Dianne Zweig has shared on her blog some signs to look out for that points out that it’s time we had some professional help in our home decorating choices.

1. You’ve changed the colors in your kitchen at least four times.

2. You love different colors, but for some reason you stuck to “neutral” colors when painting.

3. You got rid of your old “old” furniture, now you’re looking for new “old” furniture.

4. Your wedding photo doesn’t match your bedroom.

5. You let someone else tell YOU what YOU want.

6. You’re considering paying hundreds of dollars for a pillow when you can get one for a few bucks.

7. You spend more money on books and magazines on HOW to decorate than food.

Source C. Dianne Zweig’s blog

Photo from Straight Line Designs.

Safari decorating is an exotic and fun decorating theme which will add an interesting dimension to your home. This style uses earthtones, lush jungle decor, animal prints and natural items to add a unique look that is fun to live with. By having safari theme decorating in your home, you can create an exotic jungle ambiance no matter where your house is.

One thing that can really add to your safari decor is jungle and safari themed accessories and luckily there are many to be found on the market today. Include paintings and knick knacks in your home that reflect an African safari. Zebra print lamps, wall art that reflects lush jungle scenes, potted plants and animal knick knacks will all add to the aura of your safari home.

Getting the right window treatments for your home is a fundamental undertaking since the wrong type can undermine your design style. You should try to purchase curtains, drapes or shutters that are natural. For this style, it could work great to use some jungle print curtains or blinds.

Balance your design with furniture which compliment the general decorating approach. You want to look at acquiring items that are wood and upholstery to enhance Safari decorating. Think about using overstuffed furniture that uses a floral, fern like or animal print fabric. For non upholstered items, try using bamboo or rattan items.

Terrific lights can truly complete the safari decorating so you will need to give some thought to this area. With this kind of decor, you’ll need your lighting to be animal or natural themed. There are many lamps out there that are animal themed as well as plant themed.

There are many great rugs that match well with the safari decorating theme. When picking out colors, stick to animal prints or solids and for type contemplate purchasing shag rugs or even rugs that are shaped and colored like an animal skin. If you want a less busy look on the floor, natural sisal mats could look great.

Updating your home with a safari decorating theme doesn’t need to be hard if you pay attention to detail. Simply buy your pieces with care and you are sure to get a designer look without having to hire a designer.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/let-safari-decorating-give-your-home-an-exotic-ambiance-120060.html

I have a few tiny (less than an inch tall) cupid angel ornaments that glow in the dark. I think they came from a mail order company or something like that. Anybody know where I can find more? Thanks! They’re so adorable, and such a wonderful memory, but nowhere near enough to put them all over my Christmas tree.

Have you tried Oriental Trading Co.? they seem to have a lot of little items like this.

Just like lighting a Christmas tree sometime people got the idea for stringing lights up on their houses for the holiday season. Taking the decoration to the outside. Using multicolored lights or one simple color for a dramatic light show. Now, it has evolved into blow up animals and snowglobes, but I never have known where the whole lights- on- the- house- thing started. Is it just an extention of lights on a Christmas tree or was it a tradition all its own?

1895.

All of them do. Some of them were given to me, my brother and my sister when we were babies in the hospital (From the nurses), some of them were home-made from friends, family, and us when we were small, some of them are picture ornaments, with special pictures in them, and some of them were gifts. All our ornaments are unique. We never did the whole "Themed tree" thing. Like, some people do silver and blue decorations, tinsel and ribbon, and their whole tree is like that, but ours is a rainbow of pretty randomness