Don't pack away those ornaments just yet! I want to share a little after-the-holidays decorating tip with you. No need to store them all away until next year because with a little creativity you can use a few of your favorites throughout the winter season. How? After you've taken down your tree, look through all of your ornaments and see which ones are not holiday specific but that simply have a more wintertime aesthetic — mittens, pine cones, snowflakes, birds, icicles, etc. Then look at the colors of what you have laying there before you — will any match your current home decor? If so, take them to your windows and see if you can imagine a few hanging there. Here is some visual inspiration for you found over at Flickr so you can get a better idea of what I envision…
1. allen company inc 2. najjie 3. Atelier XT 4. perpetual*bliss 5. queenbeeamy and 6. mainemomma-kristin.
In a large window you can use 3 or 5 ornaments and tie elastic transparent wire (available on rolls at most craft stores) to each one and hang them from your window at different lengths. I like to group things in uneven numbers, that's why I suggest 3 or 5. You can even take a pretty branch from outdoors (birch looks lovely) and hang it in your window and suspend your ornaments from that too.
Another idea… if you have a single window that you'd like to adorn but you would also like to keep it simple, hang a single ornament on transparent wire, cutting the wire long enough so that your ornament falls at eye level or slightly above. Whether you use one or several, have fun and get creative!
Have you ever tried this with ornaments, turning them into decorative accessories to use after the holidays?
Psst: Don't forget to hit your favorite stores now… you can find so many lovely ornaments for 50% off or more. I suggest Anthropologie…
(photos above linked to source.)
Great Ideas!!! the best thing is that some of the ornaments can be used during the whole year… Thanks!
Great ideas Holly! I have a few decorating my windows which I’m thinking of leaving up. I also made a bauble chandelier which might look good post Christmas too. Maybe, just maybe I can get away with it?
Here it is (last 2 photos). I hope you don’t mind if I share: Bauble chandelier
I hope you had a beautiful Christmas xx
Thank you from ATELIER XT !!:-))*****
Graça Paz
I have collected heart shaped ornaments, of which there are many available, and hang them in windows for the month of February. So pretty during a wintry month.
these are beautiful ideas! I especially like the strings of snowflakes hanging in the window – I may just have to try this, as we have no snow :{ here in sunny Arizona – very nice! and thanks!
toni m
Great idea – the house always looks so bare when all the decorations come down! I love these images – the snowflakes especially are stunning! I have some red and white wooden hearts which are Christmassy (well, they’re red and white!) but pretty and non-specific enough to leave up all year.