I know it's way to early to be thinking about Christmas, but that's how it goes lately in retail. Even though we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving, my shop is filled with holiday decor.
Now here's my waaaaaay too early holiday merchandise.
I hope that you readers who don't live in the DC area will pick up some ideas for your own decor.
I knew I wanted to decorate a tree for my shop. Here's what I came up with for my "tree". I had this old wooden orchard ladder in my inventory for longer than I want to admit. As I was staring at it wondering how low a price I'd have put on it to sell it, I noticed that from the side it took on the triangular shape of a Christmas tree. Voila, I had my tree. I started at the top of the ladder and wove garland from side to side from top to bottom and then placed two more garlands down the side supports. To brighten it up I wove some burlap ribbon and then added the ornaments.
Here's the result. Get your coffee cup. It's a long one.
I wanted to show you the side view. I was able to put more merchandise onto the stairs.
Leaning on the opposite side of the ladder is a vintage sled in a great green color. I tied some fresh magnolia, a pine cone and some ice skates from the 1920's onto it.
I topped the ladder with a plaid hat box.
I purchased many of the ornaments from my wholesale suppliers.
I also created my own ornaments from letters that were used by stores to create signage. I punched a hole in each letter and added a ribbon to turn it into an ornament. I also rolled up pages of sheet music, tied them with a ribbon, and tucked them into the tree.
I have a selection of the alphabet letters.
I thought this vintage Frenchy chair was the perfect holiday color.
I made a coffee sack cushion with ballet ties for it.
I also found this pair of red shutters. I love the hint of navy mixed with the red.
I have another tree filled with prancing deer surrounded by an upholstery webbing garland. I tucked antlers into the branches. The base is a flower pot. You could use a basket, an urn, or a tin bucket. I hold the tree in place with sand-filled-zip lock bags.
Instead of purchasing tree skirts, I use holiday tablecloths or fabric in holiday colors, or my favorite, a vintage ladies fur wrap. For this tree I tucked a sequined ladies jacket around the base to cover my sand bags.
Don't miss that plaid suitcase on the left. It folds open, legs pop out, and you have a picnic table or side table.
Next to my tree is a mahogany tiered table. It's a perfect compact size for a holiday dessert station.
On top of the table is a vintage postcard that I placed in a gold frame. I could see it on a mantel surrounded by greenery and ornaments.
Below the table is a vintage glass pedestal cake stand, a set of 10 "gold" coasters, and a florentine box. I love the table legs with their brass caps stepping out of the magnolia branches.
How could I have a barn sale on a horse farm without including equestrian ornaments. I tucked some crystal mini chandeliers in the mix.
This chalkboard globe trio rests on a drawer from a walnut dresser. This old drawer, placed horizontally, makes a great riser. What wonderful carved drawer pulls.
Large wooden dough bowls are popular holiday display containers. I placed a burlap coffee sack and some more magnolia branches inside, then filled it with ornaments.
I used my other walnut drawer vertically. The vignette includes an antique cast iron door stop in holiday colors and a crystal jar with sparkling deer.
I always display
treasures under cloches. I placed a large pine cone inside and placed it on a silver candle pedestal. I also filled vintage bottles with "snow" and silver branches. I have several stockings made from old coverlets.
This carved swan had to dress up for the holiday. And, who can resist a vintage snakeskin hat box.
For your holiday parties I have a vintage glass-lined ice bucket and scoop and silver serving trays.
Some serving pieces too for your celebration. I placed them in a old drawer for easy access. You could use this idea for your flatware at a buffet.
I'm also selling some jewelry bling. I used silver chenille pipe cleaners as "ornament" hangers. These pipe cleaners are easier to attach to ornaments and hold the ornaments on the tree better than hooks. They're prettier too.
My favorite find for the holiday season has to be this Saks Fifth Avenue tin. I also found this chippy column base. I'm displaying ornaments in on bowl on it, but it just as easily could be a base for a small Christmas tree.
More ornaments in clear containers.
I found this Victorian frame at the
Old Lucketts Store. Usually, these vintage items have a mirror on top and a print below. This frame was missing its print. I decided to create a chalkboard in the lower half. It was already painted silver and is a perfect way to display your holiday menu. Did you notice that the mirror is etched?
I was also very excited to find these early 20thC hockey skates.
I'm displaying them on a window frame.
Don't worry. I didn't forget Thanksgiving. These vintage turkey vases and salt and pepper shakers can become part of your holiday tablescape. I couldn't pass up the orange syrup or the vintage Thanksgiving post cards either.
