really, i'm not a scrooge

I have a confession to make. I don't really get excited about holiday decorations. I realize that I am kind of alone on this here in craft-blog world, but I'm okay with that. I am always charmed by how much others get into it (how amazing were Hillary's snowflakes last year?), but, in my own home, I just can't seem to live with all the Santas and snowmen and reindeer. Don't get me wrong, I'm no scrooge. I love Christmas time. I love having a tree (we always go and chop down our own), albeit with very few ornaments - some years I've done origami cranes, last year it had a pom-pom garland. All year long I try to reflect the season by bringing the outside in, and December is no exception (forced narcissus, cuttings from our holly and magnolia trees). There are, however, smaller people in my household who are starting to demand more traditional holiday decorations and I'm trying to oblige. It is, after all, kind of a bummer to have a couple of minimalists for parents.

Inspired by SouleMama, I am finally tackling a project I have been planning since Mia's first Christmas (okay, maybe Mia's second Christmas, as she was only a week old for the first one): the advent stocking garland. Over the summer, I found some thick red wool blanketing at the thrift store which I squirreled away for this project. Last week, I cut out 24 little stockings and began embellishing each one with a number.

I just love numbered things (one year our tree was decorated with aluminum numbers I found at the flea market). These are all done in my idea of Christmas colors: red, turquoise, olive green and brown. Mia drew me up a whole bunch of design ideas (so far, I've used her mittens and present). I'm up to number eight, and if I make at least one a day, I should be able to make my December first deadline. I'll post them on flickr as I finish each one.   

        

I told Maria I'd answer the question of how I bring creativity into my every day life, but I'm going to save that post for later in the weekend. It's been an unusually stressful and overwhelming week, but good things are happening. I'm working at ways to be more productive, and I plan on blogging a few more times a week again. Have a great weekend!

Speaking of numbers, today is my favorite date (11/11). I just love all those ones for some reason.

Comments

[dcknits]

They are all so wonderful so far...can't wait to see the rest!

[lisa]

i love those little stockings and can't wait to hear from the kiddos what went in each one! so amazing!

[Marie]

Super cute! Numbers 1 and 8 are my favorite so far. :)

[Liesl]

I am so with you on the decoration front - I think I'm a minimalist as well, and this year may be even more minimal due to a crawling baby and only a floor on which to put the tree. We may need to skip the tree altogether. So far my favorite is # 5 - but all of them are terrific!

[laura r.]

you are a good mommie.

[mo]

Those are really sweet! I have some sweet black and white italian fabric and pale blue velvet ribbon waiting for aproject and I think I will have to do my own set, inspired by yours. I agree, "you are a good mommie"- those are the kinds of things that really stick with a kid.

[brandie]

i always feel like the "mommy that stole christmas"...i don't like lots of decorations. but with three kiddos, it is mandatory. i have never had an advent calendar (in my life!) and you and amanda are inspiring me to give it a try. i cannot wait to see the finished project!

[Posidriv]

So cute!!! :)

[carol]

You have perfectly described my sentiments about decorations. I think I disappoint my mom when she asks if I want all of her "knick knacks" at Christmas...I also think my 7 year old would prefer if I accepted my mom's offering of "way too many Santa's".

I too have been working on stockings- maybe it's just that whatever I have in my home I want it to be purposeful for me...Either sentimental for my kids later OR organic (ie- branches, holly, pine cones, etc.)

anyway, I love your ideas...

[erinay]

I agree, nature is the best decoration and usually our only one for the holiday (of course, embellished with lights, shiny ornaments, bells & ribbons)... but your advent stockings are mighty cute, as well. hurrah for you. Mia and miles will enjoy them for so many years to come! happy holidays (already???) - erin

[tammie]

how cute -
i am so inspired to start crafting my decorations - i have been saying i will make a stocking for my son and he is now 2 1/2 (and i now have a daughter,too)
thanks for the inspiration
so cute

[kathie]

Speaking of 11/11--as kids we used to "call it" (11:11) when we saw that on the digital clock in the kitchen. It was the best one to see, ahead of 5:55, 4:44, 3:33, you get it.

Kathie

[Diane]

These are fabulous! And Mia and Miles will have the wonderful memory of helping you design these...what a great decoration!

[taryn]

i am with you on the decorations, until we had the Little Man we didn't even have a proper tree, just a plastic blow up one. our frineds on the other hand go all griswold on us at xmas with enough lights to blow out the grid. but those decorations are quite classy and tasteful, might have to crack out the ol' sewing machine and give it ago. on second thoughts, that just might send me crazy when and i'll start shouting at it when it all goes horribly wrong (like it always does, my sewing machine and i have never seen eye to eye), i think i'll knit some instead.

[Toni]

Beautiful work. The mittens and present are super. How nice for Mia to know each year that she was the inspiration for those.

[debra cooper]

Adorable stockings!! I have been thinking of making some stockings this year, but I've never really liked traditional Christmas colors and have been kinda stumped on a color combo. I LOVE yours, though! If only we could escape this 90+ degree weather then I could get inspired to decorate for the holidays!

[natasha]

i am not into it either...growing up jewish, my mom made fun of me and told everyone about how badly i wanted a christmas tree...i went through a phase as an adult of wanted to decorate...to some degree, but i realize i have so much other stuff to do and will not get them up in time, or down in time and my cats will probably be poisoned or electrocuted by the seasonal fun. not that fun? not really.

you seem like the best mum in the world! your kids must love the hell out of you!

[Kristen]

Those are amazing and a great idea! I never get too excited about the holidays myself but this is a great idea! I wish I had kids.

[LINDA GREEN]

I sure did enjou looking at this site. I want to get some white felt and make some of these for this year maybe