Christmassy preparations

I have been doing some Christmassy faffing, collecting, gathering, painting, glittering and prettifying. Having a nice time! We have my family coming to stay for Christmas this year so we are hosting for the first time (AHHHHH) and I am taking my decorating duties very seriously indeed. 

I love getting the decorations down from the loft and unpacking them, remembering all of the precious treasures collected over the years. Last year I made some dried orange slices and they still smelled lovely and christmassy a year later!

This year I'm aiming for neutral colours on the tree, lots of white and natural browns, bronze and gold. (Well that's the idea - if I don't get distracted by pom poms and glitter....)

I used some of the greenery that I gathered from mum and dad's garden (and some local foraged foliage) to make a simple winter wreath (made on the sitting room floor in front of the Great British Throw Down)

I made a simple wire ring and then twisted in holly and eucalyptus. 

I'm pleased with how it turned out, simple but rather beautiful. 

I had an idea to make some sort of garland to hang from the mantelpiece so I threaded together some pinecones, feathers and little wool tassels. 

I have also been making some very simple tree decorations - some white painted pinecones and white and gold dipped leaves.

Now I'm very excited about getting our tree! More decorations coming up....!