2011 Christmas Tree Contest

Our second annual Christmas tree contest is underway. If you did not participate last year, here is a quick overview. Post a photo of your Christmas/ Holiday tree on our FACEBOOK PAGE page and I will put all entries into an album. The tree with the most "likes" wins. To make it fair and easier to calculate I have to go by the number of likes. People can comment but only the "likes" will count. This year's prize is the Walking in a Winter Wonderland Bracelet by Mariposa Bead Company. All entries must be in by December 18th. Voting ends December 18th midnight (eastern time). The winner will be declared Dec. 19th. Contest is open to everyone...bracelet will be shipped to the winner. START SENDING IN YOUR PHOTOS!!

To vote for your favourite tree go to 2011 Christmas Tree Contest Photo Album and "like" the tree you think should win.

Thanks for stopping by,

Margaret

Christmas At Home

December 1st is fast approaching and everywhere you look its Christmas. The decorations, the shopping, and all the preparation...it just goes by too quickly. I have yet to start decorating for Christmas, usually do it by December 1st so I have a few days left. Here is a peek at last year's Christmas at our house...

The last two years have been a blue and sliver Christmas. This year I will stick with the same theme. I am in love with blue...can't get enough of it. Since we always get a real tree, the tree does not go up until the second week in December.

I have collected several different white, blue and silver ornaments over the last couple of years. This year I will add some blue butterflies and snowy owls to the tree.

  I usual keep my mantel pretty simple...a few candles and last year a couple of deer that I found at a Christmas Show.

I like to decorate the rest of the house with real flowers and greenery. Adding ornaments and Christmas balls to make it festive.

For some inspiration and more decor ideas check out Seaside Interiors Simply Christmas photos on Facebook and don't forget to go to our Facebook page and enter our Christmas Tree Contest.

Thanks for dropping by,

Margaret

The Yellow Cape Cod: Holiday Home Series: Fast and Free Christmas Decor...

Came across this great Holiday Series that was posted on 2ndEssence Facebook page. What a great find!! I can't wait to see all the projects that The Yellow Cape Cod has for us during the next two months. 
Be sure to visit her page.

Thanks for coming by,

Margaret

The Yellow Cape Cod: Holiday Home Series: Fast and Free Christmas Decor...: Welcome to The Holiday Home Series at The Yellow Cape Cod. Today, I'd like to demonstrate how you can decorate your home in minutes, for f...

Winter Staging Tip: Importance of adding a planter to the front of your house

Just because winter is almost here does not mean that you need to neglect the front of your house. When people walk up to a house it needs to feel welcoming and show that the person who lives there cares about the house. If your house is on the market during these winter months it is important that your landscape and planters reflect the season. During a recent CRDA Development Day we had the pleasure of having the ladies from Bloomscape  gives us a presentation on how to make some seasonal planters.

CRDA Development Day

If  you or your Stager can pull this look together...FANTASTIC! If not then it's well worth hiring a professional company to do it. A company like Bloomscape can not only make you a planter or two but can also do some quick planting and updating of your front yard to attract buyers to your home.

photo courtesy of Bloomscape

Remember that if your selling your home during the Holidays it is best to keep you decor simple. Don't over do it with the Christmas decorations. A planter and a wreath are sufficient.

photo by Moving Forward Staging

When the snow starts to fall the planter will still look fabulous. It will last through out the winter.

photo by Moving Forward Staging

 Thanks for stopping by,

Margaret

Is it too early to decorate for Christmas?

Now that Halloween is over many people are turning their attention to the Holiday season. A few pointers from Charles the butler on the The Marilyn Denis Show ...Halloween decor should be taken down within 24 hours (I may be in trouble) and that doesn't mean that your Christmas decor should go up. According to Charles you should wait until the American Thanksgiving. If you are anxiously awaiting to start decorating check out The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. There you will find some great ideas on the top twelve things to do now to get ready for Christmas. 

One of the things that I like to do every year is to find a unique way to display the Christmas Cards that we receive. Now a days many people send emails, so getting a handwritten card in the mail is something I treasure. Here are a few of my favourite displays from Pinterest.

I Love using branches to display my cards. Set some branches in a vase on a table or use larger branches in a pot on the floor. Punch a hole in the cards and use ribbon or the ornament hooks to hang your cards. If you don't have enough cards to fill the branches try using small Christmas ornaments to compliment them. This can also add some glitter and colour to your display.

Long strips of ribbon hanging from a door or your windows is also a fabulous idea. You can pin the cards or use a hot glue gun to glue them onto the ribbon.

Another great find...display your cards on a framed board. Keep the background neutral so that the cards do not look cluttered.

  Thanks for stopping by,

Margaret