Today, I’m so excited to be back on the blog! It’s been a long time!! Before Thanksgiving, I was overwhelmed with Party Kit orders — which is a good problem, I’m not complaining. Then we went on vacation and I actually took a vacation instead of working every night, so that was a total treat. Immediately after Thanksgiving, I had to have surgery, and that recovery has just taken me longer than expected. So… whew! It’s been really busy, just not here on the blog. It fell into the “something’s gotta give” category.

But I’m back today and all week with how we’re celebrating Christmas at our house. I always have such big ideas for holiday decorating and celebrating, but this year, I really had to downscale. It’s been a bit of a relief actually. I wonder if you feel the same self-imposed holiday pressure? Anyway, the surgery has literally forced me to take it easy, so I’m sharing my take on an easier Christmas that’s still fun and festive. (It’s also low-cost … a holiday must in my house!)

The best part of today is that I’m teaming up with 20 other amazing bloggers to bring you a Christmas Round Robin that we’re calling “Home for the Holidays”.

Each blogger is sharing a Christmas post: something full of good cheer, including Christmas crafts, recipes, printables and decorating ideas. At the end of this post, just click the link to the next blogger’s post. At the end of her post, click through to the next blogger. By the time you’re done, you should see 20 darling Christmas ideas and end up right back here. So glad you’re here: and ENJOY!!

Here are a few pics of my dining room to give you a feel for the overall look. It’s all about red and kraft colors, with a touch of real greenery.  

And here are the instructions for making my Christmas swag! (The ornament portion of the swag will be a separate tutorial — it’s so easy that you really must give it a try.) The rest of the tutorial looks like it has a lot of steps, but it is pretty easy. (I did all the trial and error for you.)

Supplies

• Shatterproof ornaments in whatever color or colors you like
• 3/8″ grosgrain ribbon
• Scotch tape
• 1.5″ red satin ribbon
• Zip tie
• Greenery
• Yard clippers
• 3M Command Strips
• Empty picture frame

Instructions

1 – The first thing you’ll do is make a gathering of ornaments. Cut a 2-foot length of the 3/8-inch grosgrain ribbon, roll the tip of one end, and use Scotch tape to secure it. That will make it easier to slide the ribbon through the hook on the ornament. Slide three ornaments to the center of the ribbon.

2 -Loosely tie the ribbon at the top of the ornaments. You want to be able to position the ornaments later, if need be.

3 – Put the two ends of the ribbon together and slide both ends through the top of a fourth ornament. The fourth ornament really just covers the tops of the other three ornaments and creates a center to your little swag.

4 – Position your greenery over your open frame to understand where to trim the greenery.

5 – Lay the ornament swag on top of the greenery and pull the ribbon up and behind the greenery stems.

6 – Put the zip tie behind the greenery. Pull it around the greenery stems and ribbon, then tighten the zip tie. Trim it with the yard clippers.

7 – Your ribbon should be on the back of your greenery stem. Allow a little wiggle room (this is how you’ll hang the swag) and then tie a tight knot. Trim the excess ribbon.

8 – Put your satin ribbon behind the greenery stems. Wrap the ribbon around the zip tie, and make a bow.

9 – Place your 3M Command Strip Hook wherever you want to hang your frame. I used a clear hanger that would support 4 lbs. Follow the package instructions, then hang the greenery swag from the red ribbon loop you made earlier. Carefully slide the open frame over the swag and hang it from the same hook.

10 – If you need to, trim the greenery to better fit your frame.

You can stop right there, or, you can add my ornament swags on either side of your frame. (More on that how-to later this week.)

I hope you’re loving this Home for the Holidays Round Robin! Don’t break the circle: hop on over to see what Rebekah at A Blissful Nest has dreamed up for you!