When Decorating for Christmas 2015 I decided to make a change. For years I have used my peacock decorations on the tree and while I love them I have been slowly adding in more gold. This year I decided to take the gold all the way, adding silver and white accents for contrast. Not too far of a stretch but the deal was I would not buy any new ornaments to make this happen. I made a pact with myself that any changes I made would be done through DIY projects or thrift store finds.
The Mantle
On my first day of thrifting for ornaments, I ran across a pair of brass deer and two 6′ strands of wooden beads. At $7 this set was a steal and had me on my way to a beautiful mantle display. Incorporated with vintage gold ornaments I thrifted last year in Germany and my white West German Pottery collection my new thrift store finds make quite the impression. I also added white pom poms I made myself from nice fat chenille yarn.
The Christmas Tree
I brought white into the tree by wiring the geometric glass balls, usually on the mantle, as ornaments.
The Hearth
My only new purchases were the glass sanctuary candles for the fireplace which cost me $12 for nine. I used different heights of blocking underneath to vary their heights. The boughs are tree cuttings from Lowe’s that I got for free and a few pine branches from the yard.
My big deer got some pom poms too and thrift store ornaments fill my wire kindling basket.
The Gift Wrap
My only other new purchase was a couple of gold and white gift boxes from Target. These I don’t count because the gifts have to get wrapped one way or another and they aren’t technically ornaments. I love a technicality…
My Thrifted Decor
All total I ended up spending about $40 and I think it looks like a million bucks.
It is always so tempting for me to go out and buy tons of decorations this time of year. But in Decorating for Christmas 2015 I’m proud I stuck to my guns on this one. I kept it to a minimum and still got the look!
Linking with Primitive and Proper
Beautiful!
Thanks Karen, I love it too. I have a tendency to go overboard so a self imposed limit really kept me on track this year.
maggie, your mantle is STUNNING! i am in love! the white and gold with pom poms and wood beads- yes please!
I cant believe you thrifted most of this stuff! I love your white pottery collection, looks fabulous on your mantel! The wooden beads are pretty awesome too! Thank you for joining the 12 days of Christmas Blogger Tour Link PArty!
Thanks Vel, I didn’t mention it in the post but the white pottery is thrifted too. We lived in Germany for two years and I collected way too many pieces of West German pottery that they just about give away in the thrift stores there. So glad you stopped by for a closer look.
So pretty! Love it!!