handmade christmas week 1 – choose a theme

handmade christmas week one - myfrenchtwist.com

handmade christmas week one - myfrenchtwist.com

For those of you who followed my Handmade Christmas challenge last year, you know the first step is to select a theme. That’s right. I’m insistent on having an original theme around which to build your seasonal karma. It can be a color scheme, a mood, an item… the possibilities are endless!

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If you decide to go with a specific color palette as your Christmas theme, don’t limit yourself to reds and greens. Mamie Eisenhower didn’t. She loved the color pink, from her gown to her bathroom (which was said to be pink down to the cotton balls!) to her Christmas tree.

Mamie's pink tree - myfrenchtwist.com
Mamie’s pink tree.
pink christmas tree - myfrenchtwist.com
A modern pink tree!
teal christmas tree - myfrenchtwist.com
Love these teal ornaments on a flocked tree!

Your theme need not be limited to a color scheme, however. You can read my post from last year about selecting your holiday theme here. Also, I’ve gathered some vignettes to show you just how fun decorating with a theme can be!

Why not an all-white theme with a flocked tree, a vintage ornament wreath, gifts wrapped in white embossed paper, and mini snowflakes trees (instructions here.)

all white christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

Or go rustic with a reclaimed wood tree (Funky Junk Interiors), burlap ornaments, a woodland wreath, and a folksy homespun garland.

rustic christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

You probably already suspected that I would whet your appetite with some Bohemian Christmas touches… pom pom garland from Anthropologie, a patchwork tree skirt, painted wooden stars, and these funky repurposed sari cloth stockings (from Hand & Cloth.)

boho christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

Have some fun with jingle bells! Silver bell cone trees, bells on brown paper packages, bell embellished flatware, invitations, and charming little jingle bell wreaths.

jingle bell christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

And let’s not forget the mercury glass theme I used last year… shiny glass ornaments, a looking-glass pinecone wreath, and a silvery boho tree skirt.

mercury glass christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

So now that I’ve given you a dose of inspiration, your homework is easy. Start scrolling through Pinterest and your favorite magazines, think about a theme that would breathe new life into your Christmas decorating, and download this free SELECT A THEME WORKSHEET to make your task a bit easier.

 

download select a theme printable

What’s my theme this year? Take a peek at my inspiration board. Since I’m celebrating the holidays in my new Florida condo, I thought a whimsical snowbird theme might be fitting. Birds…burlap…whimsey…goin’ coastal!snowbird christmas - myfrenchtwist.com

Comments · 2

  1. That pom-pom garland is so cute! Last year I wanted to do an ice blue, olive green, silver and burlap theme. It didn’t quite end up happening the way I had hoped, but it was fun playing on Polyvore with the theme!

    1. I just re-visited your blog and read about your 50 before 50 goals. I love that idea! Sounds like we may have lots in common. I had a life goal to run a full marathon, so when I was 44, I did it. Wish I were still in shape, but anyway…

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