Make-Ahead Ideas - For Next Christmas!

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Imagine opening up your storage boxes next Christmas to find new decor and/or gifts that were already completed. Wouldn't it feel great to know you had fewer things to do in that last rush-rush time between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Here are some ideas for projects you can do now to help make that possible. All of these have my typical project buzzwords: fast & simple!
It's no secret that I'm obsessed with cone trees. I like the simple lines and the fact they can be decorated in so many ways and used in so many ways - alone or in groups - in vignettes or in tablescapes. These trees all started with yarn and styrofoam cones, but you could make your own cones from poster board instead.


First, I'm sharing my Fun Fur Tree. This project was super cheap because I used this Fun Fur yarn (color=Taupe) I found in a bin at Dollar Tree.
I wrapped the yarn around and around the cone in the usual manner until it was covered. I didn't use any glue - just tucked the ends under other wraps of yarn.
I topped it off with a brown snowflake ornament - no glue - just pushed it down into the foam cone. I can even visualize a small pinecone on top instead - but no topper is also an option.
I really love how this one turned out - the color - the texture - everything about it! I displayed it 2 different ways - as is without a base - and placed on top of a wood slice coaster (no glue).
Next, is my Holographic Yarn Tree.
I used Yarn Bee Gilt Eyelash Holographics yarn - color is Diamonds - purchased at Hobby Lobby.
The photos do not do it justice. It reads silver and the iridescent quality really makes it sparkle. The look is similar to tinsel, but it's softer. Again, I wrapped the yarn around & around a cone until it was completely covered.
I topped it off with a red snowflake ornament. Too precious! Wouldn't this one be lovely on top of a crystal or silver candlestick?
Lastly, I made 2 trees with Isaac Mizrahi Craft yarn - color is Rockefeller - purchased at Michael's.
The yarn is creamy white - wrapped with a variegated iridescent thread.
Once again, I wrapped the yarn around the foam cones - no glue - tucked the ends under. You could use a dab of glue or a straight pin to secure the ends, if desired. For the first one, I didn't stray from a horizontal pattern as I wrapped - just kept wrapping until the cone was covered - going up and down again a few times. For the second one, I wrapped horizontally - but a little more haphazardly - so it didn't look quite so neat - again going up and down a few times. Then, I wrapped some vertical pieces for added interest.
To finish these off, I glued a button to the top of each one. . .
and glued a metal canning lid to the bottom of one for a simulated trunk.
I displayed these both with and without the candlesticks during the Christmas season, as they aren't glued to the candlesticks.


These projects + 2 more are covered in a series of 5 "Make-Ahead Projects" posts on my blog. I hope this inspires you to do some make-ahead projects now to help lighten your load next Christmas!
Julie@Cut Off in the Keweenaw
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jan 04, 2017
    These are great! The integrated lights on my small Christmas tree died, so I was looking in stores for alternatives for next year. The small trees started at $120...much more than I wanted to spend for a generic tree! So I thought I would make a tomato cage one, but have to wait till spring to find the cage. I like your ideas so much better, and I can start now...thank you for sharing!
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