christmas decorating sources 2022

by | Nov 24, 2022 | Decorating, Holiday, Winter | 15 comments

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I think 2021 was my favorite year so far when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  I started early because I felt like it and I genuinely enjoyed the process, the projects, and relishing the season.  This year, it’s a little harder because we’re still in the middle of projects, painting, and settling in.  I’m going to start decorating after Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to it, but I don’t think it will be quite as magical as last year.  Maybe it’ll surprise me…

Since I enjoyed Christmas decorating last year so thoroughly, though, I thought I would share sources for things I used last year that are available again this year.

Christmas decorating | miss mustard seed

knit stockings | faux stag antlers | faux cedar garland | velvet ribbon

The chunky knit stockings weren’t available for a couple of seasons after I first bought them, but they are back again!  I personalized them with brass bells and ribbons.  The brass bells are no longer available, but I linked to the ribbons as well as my favorite faux cedar garland.

Christmas decorating | miss mustard seed

While I do have several real stag antlers, these ones are artificial.  They are perfect if you like the look but object to taxidermy.

golden bird ornaments | similar antique trapper baskets

I loved these gold bird ornaments I purchased and decorated with last year and was delighted to see they were available again.  They add a little shine and reflection to the tree.

Christmas decorating | miss mustard seed

gingerbread tutorial | dried orange slice tutorial | vintage candle clips

One of the things I imagined when we first bought the house in Minnesota was a little Christmas tree in front of the back staircase.  Each year, when decorating for Christmas, I would put a little tree in a bucket on a stool in front of the stairs.  It’s simple, but it was one of my favorite things.  Last year, I decorated it with homemade ornaments – dried orange slices and gingerbread, along with vintage-style candle clips.

I am going to miss this little corner this year, but I look forward to finding new places in our new house for favorite Christmas decorating moments.

Christmas decorating | miss mustard seed

brass bells | faux cedar garland

One of the things I’ve done for years is mix greenery to add a variety of textures and colors.  I do that if I’m using real or artificial.  When we moved to MN, any real greenery dried out in just a couple of days.  It was so discouraging, so I had to switch entirely to faux greenery.  Now that we’re closer to where we lived before in PA and we have a non-electric heat source, I’m hoping that we’ll be able to use some live greens again.  I’m certainly going to give it a try when decorating for Christmas this year.

faux pine garland | faux eucalyptus garland | similar vintage ceramic trees

Last year, I also swapped the colored lights on the ceramic tree my aunt made in the early 80s to all white lights.  It took a piece that was nostalgic but a little dated and made it feel fresh and new.  I just love it now and can’t wait to find the best spot for it this year.

2022 Wallace sleigh bell | collecting Wallace sleigh bells

Of course, I already have my 2022 Wallace Sleigh Bell.  I inherited part of my Oma’s collection and have been adding to them a little each year so now I have all 51 bells in the collection, plus a few duplicates.  They are a staple in my Christmas decorating.

decorative twist ties for garlands & swags | light blue velvet ribbon | dark blue velvet ribbon

I was introduced to these oversized decorative twist ties to use for garlands and swags and they are such a clever way to hold things in place.  I’ve always used wire and twine, but this is definitely next level.

Christmas decorating | cinnamon salt dough ornaments | miss mustard seed

cinnamon salt dough ornament tutorial

Last year, I made salt dough ornaments with THIS windmill mold and THIS bird mold.  To keep things fresh, I’m using some new (and antique) molds this year.  I’m planning on making them next week and I can’t wait to share how they turn out.

Christmas decorating | cookie molds | miss mustard seed

THESE are the salt dough molds I ordered for making salt dough ornaments this year.  I really enjoyed decorating with handmade ornaments last year, so I will definitely be making more this year.  I’ll also share a round-up of some of my favorite handmade projects from previous years.

And, of course, there are the wrapping papers I designed and released last year.  I already have added a couple of new designs and I’ll share those when I get my order in.  And I hope to add a couple more designs in the next week or two!

brass bells | velvet ribbon | miss mustard seed wrapping paper

brass bells | miss mustard seed wrapping paper

brass bells | stitched felt ornament tutorial | miss mustard seed wrapping paper

 

Christmas 2022 decor favorites | miss mustard seed

faux cedar garland | cozy ivory stockings | gilded bird garland | Christmas tree cookie mold | 2022 Wallace Bell | German drapery stripe wrapping paper | woodland mold | decorative twist ties | solid brass bells | faux stag antlers

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and, whether you have already started your Christmas decorating or it’s not even on your radar, yet, I hope you enjoy this season and relish the beauty, the people in your life, and the opportunity to celebrate good things together.

 

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    15 Comments

    1. Betsy

      There’s no doubt about it. Your home last year was absolutely beautiful. I loved that house. Happy Thanksgiving!

    2. Patricia Kasparian

      Happy Thanksgiving, Marian.

    3. Sandy

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too Marian. Praying for y’all to have great joy through the season ahead!

    4. Terri Spencer

      It was all lovely-came together beautifully- and in your definite and unique style. Will be interested to see the new Christmas papers you managed t somehow find time to do this year! I have the hopeful feeling that next year you will enjoy decorating the house you and fam have recently moved into most of ALL! Blessings to all, Terri Spencer, South Carolina

    5. Perri Williamson

      I love all your posts but this was just the best. I loved seeing all of your resources and results. Funnest post of the year!

      Loved everything about it.

    6. Marcie

      In the picture with the wooden shoes…if you still have it, I’ll be looking forward to how you use the antique train rack in your new house! I have a very similar one in my tiny foyer and making it cute but useful is tricky! And…did you change the lights on the little ceramic tree? I’ve never seen one with all white lights! So pretty! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family!

      • Betsy

        Marcie, Marion did change the bulbs in the ceramic tree that her aunt made in the 80’s. She wrote about it in this posting. I agree it looks lovely that way.

        • Marcie

          I guess I should have read more and looked at pictures less! LOL! Thanks for pointing that out, Betsy…I’m having a senior moment?

    7. Sharon

      This is the first year we started putting our Christmas outdoor decorations up over Thanksgiving. We attended a potluck gathering in the late afternoon and came home after dark and felt such a joy at seeing our house lit up for the holiday season.
      Both our families never decorated in November and for the first 19 years of our marriage neither did we…but as we come to the end of our 20th anniversary year I think we’ve found a new tradition!
      Now we’ll get to enjoy the effort a little bit longer and, because we avoid Black Friday madness, today and this weekend we will take the opportunity to focus on the inside decorations. Then we’ll have all of December to enjoy them.
      Thank you for your inspiration photos. I used to peirce whole oranges with cloves years ago, I think I’ll be trying your dried sliced oranges this year. Happy holidays in your new home. May you and your family find many new traditions here in Washington County to enjoy as well as the comfort of your cherished annual ones!

    8. Irene Kelly

      Marian, How did you hand those wood shoes ? And in past posts I noticed you hung the tops of tureens – how were they hung on the wall ?

    9. Jill

      Love all your decor, but especially how you changed the ceramic tree to all clear lights. Would you mind sharing where you found the clear “bulbs” and star? Thank you! Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!

    10. Beatrice

      Do you know the name of the lovely art? I’ve seen her before and would love to find a copy.

      • Marian Parsons

        The portrait is of Jenny Lind, the singer. It’s a very popular print and you can usually find them on Etsy or eBay.

    11. jenw

      Catching up on posts–your Wallace collection inspired me and I’ve collected bells from important years to our family. Birth years, the year we got married, and the year our puppers joined the family. We’ve enjoyed having them!

    12. Heather

      Lovely everything! Would you mind sharing the wall color?

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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