I was a little behind last year and by the time I shared some of my favorite Christmas decor ornaments, swags, and faux greenery, they were sold out!  So, I decided to get ahead and post them just before Thanksgiving (and while most items are on sale.)  Many of these items are ones I’ve used for several years and have returned to retailers once again.  They are all classic and can fit a variety of decorating styles.

Realistic LED candles | Norfolk pine garland | Faux cedar picks | Faux juniper | Bird ornaments | 2024 Wallace Bell | Society6 Miss Mustard Seed Paper | Cozy knit stocking | Velvet ribbon 

I fell in love with the Norfolk Pine collection a few years ago and, since then, have added a few garlands, wreaths, branches, and even a small bucket-sized tree.  They are an investment up front, but they save a lot of money (and mess) in the long run compared to fresh greens.  I’ve long been a champion of live greens, but the artificial versions have gotten so realistic (and live greens didn’t last more than a few days in our MN house) that I finally became a convert.

Here is the Norfolk Pine wreath I hung in the kitchen last year.  You can get the details of how I decorated it HERE.

I have been using THIS thick velvet ribbon in blue and green for a few years and it’s become a staple of my Christmas decorating.  It’s such a rich an beautiful touch to add to garlands, wreaths, and even to tie on tree branches or gifts.  I have most of the ribbon cut in three-foot lengths to use year after year in different ways.

I purchased THESE brass birds from Anthropologie a few years ago and was so pleased when they brought them back again!  Anthro and Terrain are typically one-and-done when it comes to their ornament releases.  As they’ve kept coming back, I’ve added a few each year so now they are flying all around my tree.  They are also pretty as a present topper or to embellish a wreath.

You can find a tutorial on making the crochet bauble garland HERE and how to dry orange slices HERE.

If you’ve read my blog for a while, though, you know my very favorite ornaments are the Wallace Silver bells I inherited from my Oma and added to over the years until I have each yearly bell since 1971.  I’ve already asked for the 2024 bell for Christmas this year.

Last year, I added THESE LED candles and, let me tell you, they are so wonderful!  I never thought I would have complimentary things to say about anything LED, but these candles look so realistic and I love having the glow at the push of a button without fretting over the cats knocking one over.  They are also coated in real wax so they feel like real candles.

And, of course, I have to plug my Society6 wrapping paper.  I wanted to design some new patterns this year, but as usual, time got away from me.  The papers are now on sale for $10/each (60% off!)  Maybe I’ll sneak in a late last-minute design after Thanksgiving.

(The brass sleigh bells are from JSH Home Essentials.  Use code MissMustardSeed-20 for 20% off.)

I haven’t started decorating for Christmas, yet, but I am so excited to get started.  I don’t know if I’ll do as much as I did last year, but I’ve learned that each year is a little different.  Sometimes, I’m ready to go all out and I have a lot of energy and ideas to give towards Christmas projects and decorating.  Other years, I’m more excited about other projects or I just need to cut myself some slack.  I don’t know what kind of year this will be, yet, but we’ll find out soon…

You can find more Christmas decorating ideas, projects, and recipes HERE.