o christmas tree

Last weekend we set up our Christmas tree. It's one of my favourite holiday activities and it's become even more fun now that the kids can help.

Although you might not be able to tell from the picture, about two thirds of the decorations are hanging from the bottom two feet of the tree. And check out that nicely tangled strand of gold stars! I think I've always loved 'random' and colourful Christmas trees. Although I can appreciate a perfectly colour-themed and meticulously decorated tree, I prefer chaos, which is the mindset you need when decorating with little kids. Every day some decorations are removed, and some are added. I've found stuffed toys (including this little worm), plastic bugs and hotwheels balanced on the branches. This tree is truly one of a kind!

As for our 'real' ornaments, we have a pretty solid mix of ornaments from my childhood, and from my husband's, most of which are handmade and were purchased at craft markets and church bazaars in the '70s and '80s. And every year, we buy or make one new ornament for each of the kids and sometime for us too. Here's a small sampling of what's hanging on our tree right now..

a sweet little mouse from my childhood tree

a folksy horse from my husband's family tree

 I've named this guy 'disco mouse' (love his orange suit and green tie!)

and of course, you need a Christmas seahorse! (or is this a loch ness monster..?)

a cutie little felted wool penguin (I bought this handmade from a craft market in Vancouver a 3-4 years ago and I'm kicking myself for not being able to remember the crafter/artist's name. Hopefully it'll come to me. She had some pretty amazing stuff!)

And this is one of this year's new ornaments. A Christmas Yeti that was selected by Big C from Sweet Earth Celebrations at this market. Yup. Pretty hilarious (and a little scary!) A couple ornaments that I made last year are in the background. A scrappy owl from this tutorial, and a bird from this tutorial. I'm hoping to make a few more ornaments  before Christmas. If you know of any other fun ornament tutorials, please share!