Pretty Little Green Things

I have to admit, I’m always somewhat of a Grinch come Christmastime.  Don’t get me wrong, I love traditions, family, holidays and giving.  But Christmas has just become so overcommercialized and all about how much stuff you got (and you know how I feel about stuff).  There’s so much pressure to have the PERFECT holiday that people lose themselves and what’s really meaningful this season.  I had been going back and forth on whether to put together an eco-friendly holiday gift guide this year and have finally decided against it.  If you read last week’s post on Buy Nothing Christmas, you’ll probably understand why.

Now to be perfectly clear, before you all hate me for ruining the spirit of Christmas, I’m not saying presents and giving aren’t important at all – actually just the opposite.  Giving meaningful gifts to the most important people in your life is absolutely rewarding and a wonderful way to show how much you love them and understand them.  But why give those people a pile of mediocre gifts that will end up collecting dust (or *gasp* end up in a landfill!) when you can give them one perfect gift instead?  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting a few untraditional gift ideas to help spark your inspiration & creativity for a truly meaningful and rewarding holiday.  And keep your comments coming on how you’re going to make this year the best yet.  I’ll be including the best ones in some upcoming posts.

But lest you think this post is all me babbling on about gifts and the holidays, I won’t leave you hanging.  I’ve gathered a few of my favorite holiday decor photos to inspire your holiday spirit.  Enjoy!

Gorgeous pinecone Christmas tree via Something Green

And why not hang your pinecones from pretty ribbons rather than the traditional wreath.  Another gorgeous idea from Something Green.

These ridiculously cute twine snowmen were created by David Stark via Design Sponge.  Click here for the complete how-to.

Also from Design Sponge, I’m loving the simplicity of this wreath.

I love this wreath idea.  I never quite know what to do with all the holiday cards we get so I usually end up doing a similar concept above my mantle.  This one is from Amy at ABCD Design.

What holiday decor inspiration would be complete without Martha Stewart.  Here she takes magazine pages and repurposes them into chic Christmas trees spray painted gold.

Also from Martha Stewart, this wreath is made of Christmas lights and doilies.  I’m also thinking it could be a fun project to make with kids by making a bunch of hand cut snowflakes.

I have to admit, I’m always somewhat of a Grinch come Christmastime.  Don’t get me wrong, I love traditions, family, holidays and giving.  But Christmas has just become so overcommercialized and all about how much stuff you got (and you know how I feel about stuff).  There’s so much pressure to have the PERFECT holiday that people lose themselves and what’s really meaningful this season.  I had been going back and forth on whether to put together an eco-friendly holiday gift guide this year and have finally decided against it.  If you read last week’s post on Buy Nothing Christmas, you’ll probably understand why.

Now to be perfectly clear, before you all hate me for ruining the spirit of Christmas, I’m not saying presents and giving aren’t important at all – actually just the opposite.  Giving meaningful gifts to the most important people in your life is absolutely rewarding and a wonderful way to show how much you love them and understand them.  But why give those people a pile of mediocre gifts that will end up collecting dust (or *gasp* end up in a landfill!) when you can give them one perfect gift instead?  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting a few untraditional gift ideas to help spark your inspiration & creativity for a truly meaningful and rewarding holiday.  And keep your comments coming on how you’re going to make this year the best yet.  I’ll be including the best ones in some upcoming posts.

But lest you think this post is all me babbling on about gifts and the holidays, I won’t leave you hanging.  I’ve gathered a few of my favorite holiday decor photos to inspire your holiday spirit.  Enjoy!

Gorgeous pinecone Christmas tree via Something Green

And why not hang your pinecones from pretty ribbons rather than the traditional wreath.  Another gorgeous idea from Something Green.

These ridiculously cute twine snowmen were created by David Stark via Design Sponge.  Click here for the complete how-to.

Also from Design Sponge, I’m loving the simplicity of this wreath.

I love this wreath idea.  I never quite know what to do with all the holiday cards we get so I usually end up doing a similar concept above my mantle.  This one is from Amy at ABCD Design.

What holiday decor inspiration would be complete without Martha Stewart.  Here she takes magazine pages and repurposes them into chic Christmas trees spray painted gold.

Also from Martha Stewart, this wreath is made of Christmas lights and doilies.  I’m also thinking it could be a fun project to make with kids by making a bunch of hand cut snowflakes.