Topiary Christmas Table Decoration

This is another Christmas table decoration for you DIYers! If you want something different than the usual cone shaped Christmas tree, try the Topiary Christmas Balls Tree. I wrote a step by step guide to making one for your Christmas table, mantel or shelf. They are a bit more modern in design and are very versatile. You can make them in almost any color scheme. Accentuate the colors you already use or highlight a certain color or start over and introduce a new color scheme for you holiday decorating.

I have made them in all sorts of colors over the years including brown/gold/ivory, black/pink/white, reds only, greens only, red/green/white, pink/purple/silver and the list goes on and on! have fun with this Christmas craft!

Mandee

Christmas Themed Dessert Buffet

One of the best parts of Christmas is the desserts! Whenever I attend or host a holiday party, there are always tons of desserts to choose from. While the desserts themselves are gorgeous, I wonder why more people don’t put a little more time and effort into displaying them in an eye pleasing manner. It’s not hard and you don’t have to be a designer or decorator. Adding height, unusual containers and some decor you already own is all it takes.

For instance, I made 3 versions of dessert buffets — It’s a Candy Christmas, Merry Retro Christmas and Christmas Elegance — to give some photo examples. (They are all located at this article – Christmas Dessert Buffet Ideas).

Check out the photos below and then visit the article for more in depth information. Then, you can impress your family and friends this holiday season with your decor saavy!

Mandee

 

 

Funny Sayings for Gifts

I LOVE funny sayings! I wanted to share a few with you here and then give you the link to my article with a lot more funny sayings. These gifts are perfect for the co-worker, boss, a friend or relative or for a club or Secret Santa exchange. I hope you find something that tickles your funny bone!

Just click the image for more info or to purchase:

For more funny sayings, visit Gifts with Funny Sayings and Quotes or

Holiday Centerpieces

The decorator in me meets up with the budget wary me and they are both happy with this suggestion for Holiday | Christmas Table Decoration!

I love having an item do double duty. Try using a cake pedestal as a base for a unique and different centerpiece this year. I played around with a couple that I have, some holiday decorations and created some fun, different ideas to use throughout the holiday season. the article and pictures are at How to Make a Holiday Centerpiece.

The picture on the left uses a glass cake pedestal, 3 beaded cone trees, ornaments, a small glass bowl and some glittered greenery — all stuff from my kitchen and holiday decor collection.

What have you got that you could make a centerpiece out of?

Mandee

Holiday Cookie Swaps

I just love the idea of Holiday Cookie Swaps. Have you heard of them? The concept is simple — all the guests bring a lot of one type of cookie along with the recipe to the gathering. You trade with others at the event. So, for the investment of baking one type of cookie, you are taking home maybe 10, 15 or 20 other kinds (depending on how many people are invited).

Who doesn’t like cookies during the Holidays? Some fun items to go along with your Holiday Cookie Swap are invitations, buttons, magnets and aprons. Come on! Bite the bullet. Invite the neighbors and friends and have some great company and cookies!

DecoratingforEvents.com

Have you seen my website? If you are decorating for any event — wedding, fundraiser, prom, home party, rehearsal dinner, showers, etc — Decorating for Events is a wonderful resource for ideas, decorating tips, DIY projects and more!

It is pretty new, only a couple of months old but I have gotten some wonderful comments from people. Having been a caterer, venue owner and event decorator during the past 20+ years, I thought it was time to share some of my tips and tricks with others. Hopefully you will find some great ideas and help for your party decorating needs.

Some of the articles at the site include:

In the Spotlight Theme – Ancient Greece

How to Make a Veggie Basket

WinterWonderland Theme Suggestions

Top 7 Tips for Event Decorating

and much more. I would be grateful if you checked it out! I also have a blog that goes along with the website at Let’s Talk Decorating!

Christmas Gift Boxes Centerpiece

I guess I am in a crafting mood! My favorite thing today is the Christmas Gift Box centerpiece. It’s different, not the same old fir boughs and berries with a candle in the middle. Boring!

I like to think outside the box. (pun? what pun?) This craft is actually very versatile and can be made for virtually any holiday — Easter, Valentines, Thanksgiving, Halloween and more. Or maybe themed boxes to match a themed party or event like — Tropical or Beach, or maybe Vintage Hollywood or Las Vegas. I can see it at Bridal or Baby showers for sure. The purpose of those events is giving gifts, so what is more appropriate for a centerpiece?

Anyway, you be the judge. I think it’s simple and elegant. What do you think?

Mandee

Christmas Balls Tree

Christmas Balls Tree - Ornament Tree

Why make a Christmas table decoration? Because they are fun, versatile and beautiful! I used to make these for fundraisers and craft fairs and they are still my favorite Christmas centerpiece. You can place them on your dining room table, fireplace mantel, holiday food buffet or coffee table during the holidays for a bit my spice to your season. For complete, step by step instructions, check out my article Christmas Balls Tree.

They are not hard to make and will last for years to come. They also make wonderful gifts! What do you get for grandma or the neighbor? Design and make them in any color scheme that chrismas ball ornaments are made — so they match any decor. I have also made them in brown, gold, burgundy and copper for Fall and Thanksgiving. Any shape foam can be used. Have fun with this — off to make another one myself! 🙂

Mandee

Memoir Writing

One of my favorite things to do when it comes to writing is memoir writing. I have always written. Started out with rhyming poems when I was young, moved to diaries and then on to personal essays, stories, reviews and articles.

Some of my favorite how-to books on memoir writing include Writing Your Life by Lou Willet Stanek and Writing about your Life by William Zinsser. Both of my copies of these books are dogeared and stained, I use them so much!

If you write memoir or are toying with the idea of writing some of your life stories, grab a copy of these books. You won’t be disappointed!

Writing Your Life: Putting Your Past on Paper

 

 

 

 

Writing About Your Life: A Journey into the Past