I’m not sure if you remember when I told you about when I found all this merry and bright decor.
It was a while ago.
Way before all the turkey and stuffing and candied sweet potatoes showed up.
I saw it and knew it would be perfect and ordered it and it all showed up at my door.
And then?
I decorated with it.
And along the way I discovered two incredible, easy Christmas decorating tips I never knew before.
Want to take a tour of my merry and bright dining room?
LET’S GO.
Here’s the tree and a close-up of the flocked tree in the dining room
First of all, look at these giant plastic ornaments filled with glitter.
Aren’t they the CUTEST.
I ordered about 8 of them and scattered them all over the tree. Then I added in these bright and colorful retro vintage ornaments and polka dot ornaments and this tasseled tree skirt and white ornaments and little signs that say merry.
I knew to make everything pop I needed a flocked tree.
But here’s the thing.
Everywhere I looked flocked trees were sold out. We went to SIX different stores trying to find a flocked tree. I’m not sure if it was the supply chain or that everyone else in the world had already bought their trees back in July, but there was not a flocked tree to be found here locally that I could afford.
And online there was such a wait time that it would be new year’s before they got here.
Enter brilliant idea number one.
I flocked it myself.
Can you believe it?
Why didn’t I think of that year’s ago? It was SO EASY. We bought a tree that was the right shape and the right size and then I sprayed it with that fake snow.
Yep.
Cans of fake snow.
It took three cans of fake snow to spray the tree to look like this.
And it’s really not dropped that much snow in the room, just a little bit on the red tree skirt when I added presents underneath it. Now–just between us? I’m not sure how it will hold up when I take it apart again (it comes in three sections) but I bought a bag to store it in, so I’ll keep you all posted.
After I decorated the tree and hung up this cute ornament wreath on the mirror with command hooks, I needed a super simple centerpiece for the table.
I took those blue and white planters that we love and added pinecones and greenery.
Then I tucked red ornaments here and there.
But I needed one more thing.
Enter brilliant idea number two.
They are the perfect addition to the Christmas table. I just took those faux candles that run off batteries and remote and added them to the candlesticks.
They fit perfectly and my candlesticks are just standard size.
No dripping.
No mess.
And they are on a timer to come on when the sun goes down.
It’s such a cozy and welcoming space and ready for all the Christmas.
Some people are counting the days until Santa.
But me?
I’m counting the days until all the chicks come home.
Six more days until this room will be full of laughter and conversation and joy.
And all the merry and bright will be here for it.
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
Really pretty. I particularly like your tree and hope it holds up well. I have a lot of clear ornaments and have always enjoyed marbelizing them inside with various colors of paint but have never thought of putting glitter inside. I'll have to try that. Thanks for the inspiration...and enjoy having all your chicks home.
I read every one of your postings! Did I miss where the battery operated tapered candle came from? There’s nothing like a house packed with family. xoxoxoxo
Of course! Here's the link to the candles: https://amzn.to/3y8EEGm
Hey KA: just a word of caution if you have a dog or cat or other animal---the snow can be very bad for an animal that might taste it when it drops. If your readers do this they also need a warning! A word to the wise. . . Beautiful photos.
So pretty! I really love the vintage vibe. And those big clear globes? I die. Happy day #6.
As always so beautiful and great ideas. Back in the70’s there was a docking mix and you used your vacuum cleaner to blow it on. My mom did for years. Always a way!! Have a great day!
I remember people using Ivory Snow flakes mixed some how and then blown on the tree with the vacuum cleaner.
You think like me! I flocked our tree myself also. I couldn’t justify buying a new tree so cans of snow did the trick. And like you, not sure what’s going to happen when we disassemble! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Beautiful as always! Funny you wait for your chicks to come home from Baylor. We wait for Baylor to clear out to eat at some of the restaurants close to campus! Could you give me the source of your candlesticks? I would love to have some that look like beeswax!
Of course! Here are the candles: https://amzn.to/3y8EEGm
Beautiful as always...I will try the flocking next year (trees already up). Also please share source/link for the battery candles that fit into candlesticks. Love the table, it is just beautiful, like you. Enjoy your family. Blessings,
Of course! Here you go: https://amzn.to/3y8EEGm
Beautiful as usual. Sounds like many of us would like link for candle source. Thank you
Hi KariAnn, Everything looks lovely as always! Just beautiful! In regards to your frosting your own tree, I also used to do that and I knew people who made their own fake snow with LUX flakes. Not sure Lux flakes are even available anymore, they were used to wash lingere in or hand washed articles. You put the flakes in a large container and added just enough water to make a very stiff soapy "snow", usually whipping them with a mixer, then putting the gobs of fake snow on the branches of a cut tree. They were beautiful but nothing you could do using a fake tree. Just some nostalgia for the holiday decorating ideas........Merry Christmas to you and your family
I remember people using Ivory Snow flakes. Way back in the day when I was a kid.
Beautiful - I love the candles, but the link shows the version that comes with a fat base. Aren't they attached to the gaudy gold bases?
It all looks so beautiful! I love the wreath! You are so talented and your enthusiasm is contagious! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
Where did you get the cute Santa tassel (?) that is hanging from your dinning room door? As always, your dinning room is spectacular.
I was wondering what kind of fake snow you used. Your tree and table are beautiful! Have a nice week.
Oh my gosh I just told you to have a good week and my husband just informed me it is Thursday already. LOL! Scratch that and have a wonderful weekend!
How did you hang the wreath on the mirror? Would love to do this.
oh my gosh, your post is so timely today! I went out looking for a flocked tree just yesterday. There was a beautiful one, and so real looking but it was $330.00. So, cheap me bought a floor model slim tree for 50% off at $79.00 that isn't flocked. I was thinking to myself, "self, why can't you use cans of fake snow?". the "real" permanent flocking is more than the cost of my tree! Now, let's just hope I can find some spray snow. :-) Thanks for the idea!
KA as usual love your post read Everyone! Love that you DIY great job it looks beautiful hope those days go fast till the girls are home. Have a wonderful Merry & Bright Christmas and a Happiest New Year!!!
Beautiful as always!
KariAnne, your tree and dining room are so beautiful! I just love all the colors! It just makes your heart happy to see everything! I love that ornament wreath. It's so pretty! You did a great job of flocking your tree. I love flocked trees! We have two in our home and they just look so pretty day or at night with the lights on. We bought our trees three years ago from QVC (Valerie Parr-Hill) and they are still looking great. Enjoy your beautiful home with all the gorgeous Christmas decorations. Thanks for sharing with us!
Brilliant! I'm tucking away this idea for the future! Even if it sheds, just spray it again next year right? You could have a flocking party! 😁 I'm LOVING my remote control and timer candles you suggested! I think I need to buy the set of 9 for my daughter, because when she comes home, she will want some for her house too.😉 The dining room looks very merry & bright!
What a fun bright and colorful Christmas! Brilliant on the DIY flocking! Looks amazing!
You are so nifty!!!
Cheerful as Christmas! When I was young, if you wanted a flocked tree, it was strictly D I Y. And just get some extra flocking for next year. Season’s greetings.
It's so fun and bright and cheerful...just like you!!! xoxo
Love it! The contrast with the wall is stunning!
where did you purchase your beautiful dinning room rug? what size is it?
Hi Karianne, I flocked my tree with Snow in a Box that I ordered on line. Great stuff. Used a garden sprayer and flour sieve and it worked great. Comes with instructions. Easy Peasy. The water glues snow to tree. Very realistic. I tried the spray in a can on a smaller tree and it was pretty but messier. Love the Snow in a Box.
Hi, and thank you for sharing the link for candlesticks. Have ordered as don't want any flames around with active little ones around...thank you again for all your delightful posts. And to person that asked about base..candles are removable so can go in your candlesticks.
It looks so festive and cheerful and.... so Christmas! You can buy bags of flocking material, the kind that's used on the actual flocked trees sold retail. Sno-Flock, available on Amazon. Use a water mister or garden hose and a flour sifter. I think someone else mentioned another brand, but I hadn't heard of it, so just going with the one I've used. Think Julie Blanner may have used it a couple of years ago.... can't remember which blogger for sure. Anyway, it's super easy to use, and no problem storing the tree, it stores just like a retail flocked tree does. And the good thing is you can control the amount of flocking and even add flocking to your tree each year... or not... Bonus... you can flock your garlands as well! Just flock all.the.things.