Last year I bought a beautiful evergreen garland to hang in our entryway.
I draped it around the doorway between the entryway and kitchen, and walking under it reminded me of walking through the field of pine trees my dad planted at my childhood home. The garland had that amazing freshcut evergreen aroma; it looked beautiful and I absolutely loved it …
… for about two days.
Get the Holiday Tree Farm adhesive stencil Here.
After 48 hours passed, I was smacking myself for wasting money on it.
It started looking dried out, and every time someone passed by it, the dried pieces fell all over the floor.
Sweeping them up over an over again swept the holly jolly right out of me.
I decided to forgo buying another one this year, but last weekend I discovered I didn’t need to deprive myself of the look and scent of fresh pine that I love so much.
I was wandering through the Christmas tree lot at a local home improvement store and discovered a big bin full of all kinds of branch clippings the store had trimmed off of the trees they had for sale.
I hesitantly asked the nearest store employee if the branches were free.
He said they were and to help myself to all I wanted. I had to contain myself to keep from skipping out of the store.
Oh, happy evergreen day!
I loaded my arms with branches and couldn’t wait to do some Christmas decorating with them.
I love to tuck clippings everywhere, and I could tuck to my heart’s content now!
Woodland Christmas Guest Room Tour
I filled up a few of my ironstone pitchers with them, but couldn’t decide where to put them.
At first I thought I’d just use them as a table centerpiece, but I got another idea.
I have three antique platters hanging on a wall in my kitchen. I adore them, but I don’t love the electric outlet that’s below them, so I’m always looking for a way to hide it.
Last year I added boxwood wreaths to the platters and hid the outlet behind a lantern.
2015 Simple Christmas Decorating
This year I bought wood letters, painted them red, and used foam adhesive dots (affiliate link) to stick them on the platters.
I lined the pitchers on the counter below the plates, and it looks so fresh and festive. The water in the pitchers will keep the cuttings fresh longer.
I didn’t want to waste any branches, so I pulled out another antique platter, spray-painted some pine cones, and made a quick display for a candle.
You can’t beat the free price tag for my evergreen branches, and there’s nothing you could find in a store that’s prettier!
This is beautiful, Angie and I love the hint about the free greens! I have found them at our town compost site before, too!
You are so creative. I want to have your brain!
Why her brain, just invite her over and let her ideas flow, LOL
I too get free branches, Angie. This year I am going to attempt to bind them together and hang them under my windows like fake windowboxes. I use them all through the house as well. Thanks for enjoying them as much as I do.
Lucy you! Free is good! I love the greens in the pitchers and the letters on the platters are inspired. The lantern was cute, but the pitchers do the trick. The green with the white is so pretty and just that touch of red with the JOY letters is perfect!
I hope you and your family have a very Happy Christmas, Angie! I love your blog!
Beautiful! Oh and I just bet the smell is amazing!
I love what you’ve created with the leftover tree cuttings. I’ll bet your home smells like a winter wonderland.
Love the simplicity of the green branches in the white vases…so very beautiful!
Love your sense of humor too. I could almost see you skipping out of the store with your loot in hand!
Theresa
Love the old plates and how you did the letters. Loved the wreaths you used last year also. You were so blessed to find free branches. You couldn’t have did a more beautiful arrangement. Thanks for sharing and hope you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas.
Everything looks beautiful! I love the free clippings from Lowes. Beautiful post!
I hope you are recovering rapidly!
Love all the evergreens! The letters on your platters look great –very clever. Thanks for sharing it with us on Share Your Style.
So many wonderful creative evergreen decorating ideas!! I love the White plates with the painted JOY letters!! So striking against your beautiful plates.
Thank you so much for sharing your decorating ideas with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!