Can I go minimal for Christmas???

[happystuff]

I have been surprised to see a couple of artificial trees being given away because the lights don't work anymore. I recall a time when tree and lights were two separate things, and if the lights didn't work, one bought new lights.

I have the same memories, rr. LOL.

I have to smoosh my tree to get it back into the box. No place to leave it standing all year, although I did visit a home in Oklahoma several years ago where the folks kept their tree up all year long! It did look nice. Not sure I want to sacrifice the room space, though. But... hmmm... maybe a smaller tree? LOL.

[iris lilies]

I have been surprised to see a couple of artificial trees being given away because the lights don't work anymore. I recall a time when tree and lights were two separate things, and if the lights didn't work, one bought new lights.

Oh you mean back in the olden days? When men were men and women were women? And peace reigned supreme?

hahaha

[rosarugosa]

I used old lights I had up in the attic from 15 years ago, before we had the prelit tree, and garland to try to fill in the bald spots:Attachment 6657
It definitely doesn't look as good as the prelights but it's okay; maybe we'll just keep it.
It will look better with ornaments but we are going to let the grandchildren do them on Christmas Eve.

I think it looks fine, and I'm sure it will look great once the ornaments are on.

[rosarugosa]

Oh you mean back in the olden days? When men were men and women were women? And peace reigned supreme?

hahaha

Yes, in olden times, lol, after the invention of electricity and before LEDs.

[rosarugosa]

I had been wanting a couple of those faux lanterns with the LED candles, that have been kind of trendy in recent years. My neighbor across the street has a big one in her large bay window, and I enjoy seeing it; it gives me a cozy feeling every night when I look outside. I don't have a big bay window, but I thought I might like some smaller ones. I scoped some out on Etsy and "hearted" them, which yielded me a discount code. However, the two lanterns would cost $26, and it was going to cost me another $23 in shipping, so I did not proceed.
Yesterday, I was in a couple of thrift stores with my sister, and I scored FOUR lanterns of various sizes, and 5 LED candles for a grand total of $29. I'm guessing I must be behind the trend curve since there were so many of them at Savers, but that's fine with me, in fact preferable, given the cost savings. I like what I like and have no desire to be cutting edge, lol. One of them is really big, so I might use it for decor outside my front door with some seasonal greenery.
I used to be a purist for real candles, but I seldom light them these days because I have two cats in their prime, who often tear-ass around the house, and I don't want to see any furry tails on fire. Occasionally, I'll light a candle right by me while I'm reading in the winter, and I watch it like a hawk, and put it out or take it with me if I get up to do anything. The LEDs are much less stressful!
I have so many little fairy lights and LED candles going at night around here that it really does give a very cozy vibe that I enjoy during the darker days of winter.

[frugal-one]

Had no Christmas decorations at all so broke down and bought an ornament Christmas tree (on sale and I had reward dollars). I really don’t want a bunch of stuff to store so thought maybe Christmas/holiday/winter refrigerator magnets? Thought there might be a few nice sets but most are just individual magnets. Can’t visualize a grouping. Anyone have any ideas to share?

[iris lilies]

Had no Christmas decorations at all so broke down and bought an ornament Christmas tree (on sale and I had reward dollars). I really don’t want a bunch of stuff to store so thought maybe Christmas/holiday/winter refrigerator magnets? Thought there might be a few nice sets but most are just individual magnets. Can’t visualize a grouping. Anyone have any ideas to share?

Hang items you can pitch after the holiday OR use elsewhere

1. candy canes hung with ribbon ( if you don’t mind tossing some cheap ribbon) otherwise, hang with thread or fishing wire

2. Food items: dried orange slices, dried chili peppers, dried fruits like pineapple

3. make one long popcorn and cranberry garland, wind it around the tree’s branhces

4. hang small bunches of dried plant material from your yard such as any waxy leaf, dried flower heads tied ip in a ribbon, sprigs of evergreen leaves

5. buy battery operated tiny lights and wind them around the branches

6. If you have any talent with or interest in folded paper, making ornaments out of colored or even brown paper is easy: fold paper in small fan shape, glue evergreenery on it, glue thin red ribbon. These can all be swept into the trash after the holiday

I really think you need some thin red ribbon to hang items, but that isn’t a big deal to throw away when done

IMG_7346.jpg

[iris lilies]

Also, I don’t know if you all are fisherman, but I’ve seen trees decorated with fishing lures. Fishing lures can be quite colorful little dangling things perfect for a delicate ornament tree.

[frugal-one]

Guess I was not clear. I don’t plan on decorating anywhere else other than a few magnets on the refrigerator. I am not a crafter and abhor shopping so don’t plan on spending hours on decorating. The little “tree” I found is elegant and with my open floor plan a few tasteful decorations on the fridge would be enough holiday cheer and not require lots of storage space. The only reason I am even putting anything around is that I will have a few people over for drinks and feel like scrooge without a bit of holiday decor. I think your ideas are great IL for those who want to put effort into decorating. Since downsizing and moving to a smaller space, I have become quite minimalistic. And, truth be told, I love it! There is no clutter and cleaning is a breeze.

[iris lilies]

Guess I was not clear. I don’t plan on decorating anywhere else other than a few magnets on the refrigerator. I am not a crafter and abhor shopping so don’t plan on spending hours on decorating. The little “tree” I found is elegant and with my open floor plan a few tasteful decorations on the fridge would be enough holiday cheer and not require lots of storage space. The only reason I am even putting anything around is that I will have a few people over for drinks and feel like scrooge without a bit of holiday decor. I think your ideas are great IL for those who want to put effort into decorating. Since downsizing and moving to a smaller space, I have become quite minimalistic. And, truth be told, I love it! There is no clutter and cleaning is a breeze.

ok. I thought you were looking to use refrigerator magnets on an ornament tree and decided that did not work