We have opened our door to quite a few people over the past few days, and with the holidays coming I wanted to make our home carry the spirit of that, and be welcoming at the same time. Also, my goal was to use what I had on hand as much as possible, so as to have guests in our home without using money we need for gifts and such.
In the photograph above, I used a hand-me-down quilt my hubby's grandmother made to lay over a vintage sewing machine table. On top of the quilt I placed a vintage church, (you know the ones with the little light bulb in them), that was used in my childhood home, as well as a little empty jar. The tree was given to me by a friend as a surprise gift last year, after we had their family over for dinner. It was left on my porch, and I have loved it ever since.
On the tree, to make it look snowy, I just took a couple of cotton balls, and spread them thin around the tree. Also, I found a piece of white fabric that was wrinkled and had frayed sides. I folded the edges in around the tree as a skirt, and noone will ever know it's not perfect.
These little trees were so fun to make, and were just cut from old sweaters I had on hand, and felted. (Washed in hot water, and put into hot dryer.) The pattern for the circles can be found here. They made some inexpensive, and simple to make centerpieces for the table.
I went tramping out in the cold on a hike with my little guy to pick up some sticks for these stars. The weather was a bit wet, so I left them to dry for a half-day in our mudroom. Then, I broke them into similar sized pieces, before having my eldest daughter lay them in a star shape, while I did the hot gluing. We then looped a ribbon, (some wide some skinny) around the middle and actually taped with a small piece of clear packing tape to the inside of the window frames.
This cute little hanging "Merry Christmas" banner was found and printed from here. Quick and simple, and not much work. Just a bit of cutting, and your done! They also have one that says "Believe", but I needed to take up space on our large wall.
Our home was one of the stops in a teen girl's birthday progressive dinner...we provided this wonerful tasting soup, and an activity. We had a spa themed activity and did epsom salt/essential oil foot soaks, bentonite clay masks, and of course....nail painting.
Also, today, the men and children of our church gathered here for lunch and fellowship, while us ladies and teen girls went out to lunch. What a refreshing time to be without the little ones for a bit. I love being a mother, and miss them when I'm away, but it was nice to sit in a restaurant and not have to cut up anyone's food....or get up and walk a fussy baby around!
I hope you have come away with a sense that you can decorate your home, and make it welcoming to others, without having to spend a pretty penny. I encourage you to take the time, to love others and show your children the joy of serving others in your home. It is said that it is more blessed to give than receive, but it seems that when we do give....we are given an abundance of joy.
Blessings on you and your family,
Joy~
{This post is a part of The great holiday barn hop and Works for me Wednesday}
