My burlap Christmas

I'm going au' natrual for Christmas this year. Oh please, get your mind out of the gutter. Au' natrual meaning BURLAP! Burlap on my Christmas tree. (And be prepared for photo overload.)

Check out my burlap banner too!

Every year when I decorate my Christmas tree, I get the ornaments out and stare at them for a while, organize them by color and start putting them on the tree.  I've tried to add ribbon to the tree, only to have it look completely ridiculous, like a novice slapped it on the tree. I guess I am a novice when it comes to decorating a Christmas tree. I mean c'mon, don't most of us only do this once a year?

I've searched and searched the web for some great Christmas tree decorating tips. There are no excellent tutorials out there, and unfortunately, this is not a tutorial either. Rather, just a post about how I was able to get my tree looking how I finally wanted it to look after decorating a tree for hhhmmmmffffthmmteen years. 

What I was looking for was some great explanation that would tell me exactly where to put ribbon and silver balls and snowflakes.  For example, I was hoping there was something out there that would say: On branch number 1, five rows over put silver bulb No. 1. Okay, okay in all seriousness, there just wasn't anything out there.  

What I did find were different descriptions on how to decorate your tree.  Most of the stuff I already knew, but never really applied. Some steps were so common and silly that, I was like "really? this is a waste of my time." Then a light bulb went off!

Step 1: Set up your tree (duh)

Step 2: Put your lights on (really - do we have to get so elementary?)

Steps 3 - 7 make a lot more sense

Step 3: Decide on a theme (Ah ha! Something I've never done before. I would follow step 4, but never really had a true "theme." Don't skip steps I guess)

 

My theme: au' natrual with hints of lime green, white and brown. Why? Because, it's hip, cozy and totally matches my living room. Oh - and Pinterest has so many fun burlap projects right now. 

Step 4: Organize ornaments by color (Yes, this is easy for me because I do this before I put them away for the year, total OCD I know.)

Step 5: Add ribbon, deco mesh or other ornamental items that are not ornaments. (Ding, ding, ding! This is where I fail every time. I'm going to redeem myself this year) #keeptellingyourselfthat

 

I found a great tutorial on how to make a burlap tree topper here. I bought five yards of burlap at Hobby Lobby with their 40% off a regular priced item, along with my ISU Alumni Association discount of 10% off the burlap. Can I get a woot woot?!?

 

I cut the burlap into 6" strips and rolled them up. The burlap made a mess of the kitchen floor, but it was an easy clean up. Then I followed the tutorial and made a Burlap Christmas Tree Topper!

 

I plopped the bow on top of the tree and I think angels were singing, instant gratification I tell you. It really came together right away. Then I just started weaving the burlap into the tree. I also purchased Christmas tulle. The tulle was kind of junky and completely sticks to everything, but it fills up the tree, and goes with my theme, so it's staying.

Side bar: I told the hubbster that I was doing burlap on the tree and you should've seen the look on his face. #misterconservative. Don't worry, he loves it now. In fact, he commented that this is the best decorated tree ever.

I ended up doing a criss-cross pattern with the burlap and the tulle. It really helped fill up the tree.

 

Another view of my pretty burlap tree.

Step 6: Add large ornaments first
This year I purchased 24 snowflakes in a gold/brown tone. These were my large ornaments.

Step 7: Fill in with smaller ornaments 

 

I love how the burlap matches my home decor. Hello, Potterybarn lamp shade!

The finished product: My burlap Christmas tree.




Christmas decorations make a home happy.  Here are some more pictures of the decorations around the house.

 

  

 

More burlap projects to come! Merry Christmas.


Have you done any projects with burlap lately?