I got my Christmas tree decorated over the weekend!  It has been hanging out with just lights, a star, and a skirt while I thought about how I wanted to decorate it this year.  I don’t do things dramatically different from year to year, but my main tree slowly evolves.  A few new ornaments and decorative elements come in and a few leave.  This year I decided to use my living room mantel as a springboard to create what I’m called a “hydrangea & homemade” Christmas tree.

I started out by getting rid of any ornaments that were tired, broken, or were just generic and I wasn’t in love with them any longer.  I wanted to nudge the Christmas tree this year into mostly homemade ornaments, my Wallace Sleigh Bells, some , and dried natural elements like dried orange slices and hydrangea blooms.

The first thing I did to create this “hydrangea & homemade” Christmas tree is to add some draped ribbon.  I always like to add something to the tree that creates either vertical or spiraling lines.  I usually do this with ribbon, bunting, or garland.  To me, it adds more visual structure to the decorations than just using ornaments alone.  This year, I used some velvet ribbon from Hobby Lobby and just let it drape.  It comes in three-yard spools and I used seven full spools (purchased on sale.)  I pinned all seven of the ribbons together, tucked them into the top of the tree, and then arranged the draping ribbons, tucking them loosely into the branches.

It was a very quick and simple way to add a vertical detail to the tree.  And, the best part is that I didn’t cut the ribbon at all, so I can use it again next year or use it for other projects.

I also wanted to add ribbons to all of my Wallace bells, ball ornaments, and any other ornaments that could use a pretty blue/gray ribbon.  It just felt like time to swap out all of the twine that I’ve been using for years.

chunky crochet snowflake pattern & tutorial |

I love how such a simple changed gave these mercury glass ornaments a fresh look.  I bought these years ago on clearance from Pottery Barn.

And all of my Wallace Bells got ribbons, too.  I ordered the ribbon last January to use for just this purpose!

You can buy past Wallace Sleigh Bells on & |

I also used some Jacquard ribbon from my stash for ornaments that could use a little pattern.  These are wooden ornaments painted in MMS Milk Paint Shutter Gray.  You can find that tutorial HERE.

And, of course, I needed to add some dried hydrangeas to my “hydrangea & homemade” Christmas tree!  These are Annabelle hydrangea blooms I dried out this summer.  You can find the tutorial on how I did that HERE.  I wish I would’ve thought about using them for Christmas and I would’ve dried a few more.

I just nestled them gently into the tree, making sure they were evenly dispersed.

I did add a few store-bought ornaments this year.  I loved these .  I just added some of my blue velvet ribbon for that homemade touch.

And I added on lots of homemade ornaments for the homemade part of the “hydrangea and homemade” Christmas tree.  Homemade grain sack stockings and stars.  Balls I coated in blue German glass glitter and dried orange slices.  Chunky crocheted snowflakes and stamped clay ornaments.

I love how this “hydrangea & handmade” Christmas tree looks homespun but elegant at the same time.  It feels intentional, yet homey.  I am planning to make a few more ornaments this year to add to the tree, although I am running out of real estate!  I always think I’ll go a little easier on the ornaments each year, but then I can’t help adding more.  I just like a full tree!

Under the tree, I added an antique French laundry basket filled with quilts and some vintage hatboxes I picked up from a consignment store last year.  Having a few things under the tree looks nice and hides the stand and cords, but it also has a practical purpose.  The kitties were wrestling under the tree and the basket and boxes interrupted that!  Now, they use it as a hiding place.

I’m planning to get our smaller dining room tree up today…