I’m Jan, a mom to 3 boys, doing all sorts of boy mom things. (Cub Scout Den Leader, anyone?) Thankfully, my family lets me go girly-crazy once a year in the form of obsessive Christmas decorating. You can follow us at The Ingpire Strikes Back!
Now before we get started:
1. I prefer the nickname “Little Miss Christmas” to “Crazy Christmas Lady”
2. Yes, All my decorations are up. (9 large fully decorated trees)
Theming your trees makes them super easy to decorate. I’m a native Texan, so I filled our Texas Tree with flags and all things western. This tree could work for almost any southern state.
Anything can be an ornament. You don’t even have to hang them.
Old license plates make great conversation pieces. As do political buttons, hats, and trinkets from sporting events.
One of my Texas Tree “ornaments” is a small plastic hat that held our ice cream at an Astros game.
Looking for something to do with your child’s art?
This tree is in my oldest son’s room, and is filled with his artwork.
I’ve laminated most of it so it will keep from year to year.
Don’t worry about all the artwork being Christmas themed.
In this picture you can see a VBS photo with frame, a ghost, and a St. Patrick’s Day rainbow mobile.
And what could be more perfect to top it off with than a school made star?
My son loves looking at his artwork, and I get a little misty eyed hanging his preschool art projects.
The next two trees are in my twins’ bedroom. One for each of them, of course.
I know everyone has enough stuffed animals sitting around to fill a tree.
And a toy tree is the perfect place for all those kid meal toys that seem to multiply throughout the house.
The Rubber Duckie Tree was favorite from last year.
This tree is in our guest bathroom, and I’ve spiced it up a bit this year by adding tooth brushes.
So ooh and ahh your family and friends with your creativity this Christmas.
The best ornaments don’t come from the store!
Pesky Cat Designs says
Fantastic!! Now I’m really inspired to decorate my tree with some found objects in my home. 🙂
Cathie says
Adorable ideas! I’m a den mother too-I graduated to the Wolf Den this year!
Shanan says
Wow, that is some serious dedication to the Christmas spirit. I especially like the stuffed animal tree!
Jocelyn Christensen says
That’s adorable!
Kelly, George & Doug says
Awesome ideas! I esp. love the Texas themed tree, being a Texan misplaced in CO now. What great ideas on how to decorate without having to spend any extra money!
Kari says
I am so impressed with your creativity!
Marcia says
What wonderful ways to use all the ‘child clutter’ that collects around the house. I’m overwhelmed with the cuteness!!!
Friedt Family says
The trees are great!! You should have a t-shirt made that says “Little Miss Christmas” and wear it proudly!! Thanks for the great ideas!
Lori says
I love the artwork tree! I have a two year old and already I have a box of some of her artwork from daycare. I was keeping it in a box until I could figure out what to do with it… I thought about scrapbooking, but making ornaments out of it sounds like a more fun and festive way to use it! Thanks for sharing!
Tiffany says
Love it Jan! Little Miss Chrismas rocks again!
Kim Lightfoot says
Wow, you have a great imagination. Love, love the kids artwork tree. My 3 are all young adults now but hope to find some of those special pieces and decorate a small tree for them as a surprise when they come home from college. Yikes! I have to get busy.
tex2885 says
I love your X-Mas tree! I am writing a blog post on my blog, Western Style Mag about a Cowboy Christmas, please check it out!!
KT says
I love the idea to laminate the art work. Some Christmas things my kids make are soo cute I do want to keep them, but don’t want them ruined. Now I know
Caroline says
I love the rubber duckie tree. Who does not want to feel the Christmas spirit when they are getting ready in the morning? What a great blog-thanks for sharing all of that wonderful information!
Lisa Williams says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Texas tree! You rock!!!
Mariel says
Um, hello…everyone LOVES your post! Great job and awesome idea!
Jill says
So I started reading the blog before I saw the picture and I thought “wow this totally sounds like someone I know!” Imagine my laughter when I looked at your adorable picture! Haha! I know that crazy Christmas lady I mean little miss Christmas! This was a perfect post for you to do. Way to hit it out of the park (hope you don’t mind that I used a baseball term…)!
slellingto says
I don’t see how you do it! Three kids and time to decorate all these very original trees! Little Miss Christmas is Little Miss Do it All :o)
Adrienne says
Wow, you are extremely creative! I am lucky to get 1 tree decorated. Love, love, love your ideas!!
scooper says
I know the Ingy household will have that tree with hand-made laminated artwork for many years even after the kids are grown. Great ideas!