Dear Sis,
I’m very traditional in my tree decor. We only have a half dozen ornaments we keep from year to year. The rest we throw away and make again next year. Mostly because they are perishable!
Candy Canes
I pick up a box each year from the dollar store to hang on the tree.
Dried Oranges Ornaments
This year I dried orange slices for the first time. It is simple and I plan to add it to my yearly tradition. Slice an orange or two as thinly as possible, while keeping a full ring of skin around the outside of the slice. Place on lined baking sheets and pop them in the oven at 250 for an hour and half. Check every 20 minutes after that, to turn the oranges, and remove the ones that are completely dry. Add an ornament wires and decorate:) I really enjoy the way the light shines through the oranges!
Gingerbread Ornaments
I use a bamboo skewer to make a hole in the top of each cookie before it bakes, then thread an ornament wire through the baked cookies.
Popcorn & Cranberry Garland
We bought an air popper, because we find the popcorn keeps better without butter or oil on it. I string a 5 popcorn, and 1 cranberry pattern on lengths of thread. I takes me the better part of the week to get enough yardage for our small tree, but we really enjoy it as an evening activity around the popcorn bowl:) I find that all-purpose thread and a small blunt ended tapestry needle work well.
Our tree is wonky at the bottom this year because Charlotte keeps picking things off, bending the branches, and unwrapping the presents. Yesterday, she took a gingerbread man off and ate half of him before she brought it to me! LOL. At least, my ornaments are edible:)
Happy Holidays!
Love,
b
Added December 17th
See what I mean!