As a homeschooling family, I was always on the lookout for fun and yet educational activities to do with my children. One that we all remember very fondly was the year we attended A Civil War Christmas. This was an interactive afternoon put on by a reinactment group. What fun we had and we especially loved seeing a period decorated Christmas tree. Since then, I put up my own version of a simple tree. Usually in the dining room. This year I almost skipped this due to time getting away from me but Friday afternoon I decided I didn't want to skip it. So I headed to Walmart to purchase the most important element of my simple tree.......
Bob's Sweet Stripes...much more authentic than candy canes.
Since I will not be using all 8 of my dining room chairs, I decided to go ahead and set the trees up on 2 of them. I really like this look.
No lights on these trees but they are lit by the hutch light.
I put the trees in a couple of vintage, red-rimmed enameled pots. In the past I've used baskets or galvanized buckets but I am thinking I like this look best.
Sweet Stripes tied on with fabric strips.
A vintage box of Shiny Brites..I considered putting them on the trees and then changed my mind. I liked what the box looked like there and just left them.
Besides the candy, the only other ornaments are some simple wooden cutouts that I found years ago.
Some of my pinecones used as filler. I sprinkled a little cinnamon fragrance oil over these to give a nice scent to the dining room. Not too much though...a little goes a long way.
After that decorating, there is nothing like a large beeker of cocoa and those Sweet Sripes make a wonderful addition to the cocoa.
Sharing at some of my favorite blogs!
Ceilo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday (all about the Christmas Tree)
Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
Sue's REDnesday
Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday