A Plaid Christmas & Lighting the Christmas Trees Via Remote

Lately I feel a bit like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.  I picture myself running around the house shouting, “I’m late, I’m late…for a very important date.”  I’ve sort of gotten the cart before the horse this Christmas season.  I have all my gifts wrapped but one, yet I still haven’t decorated around my front door. lol  Now what’s wrong with that picture!

I went shopping for fresh greenery late last night and found most stores were already out.  I wasn’t able to find a large wreath, either, only tiny ones.  So, as soon as this post hits the bloggyland airwaves, I’m out the door in search of some pretty garland again today.  Wish me luck!

In the meantime, I wanted to share something I decided to try this year.  Normally I wrap all my Christmas gifts in lots of shiny, colorful wrapping paper with big, sparkly bows I create for each package.    This is an old picture taken back in in 2009 when I posted a tour of my home decorated for Christmas in this post:  Decorating for a Traditional Christmas.

This year, I wasn’t sure if I was going to put up a tree in the family room.  I was toying with the idea of just putting up one in the kitchen.  So I thought I’d wrap my gifts in a more “casual” way since the kitchen tree is a more casual tree.

Tree Decorated for Christmas with Presents

 

It turns out I’ll be having a little Christmas get-together with friends here this year, so I nixed the idea of not having a living room tree.  So all those casually wrapped gifts ended up under the living room tree after all.  It’s a very different look, for sure.

Wrapping Presents with Craft Paper and Bright Ribbon

 

My plan this year was to wrap everything in kraft paper and decorate the packages with pretty plaid ribbons.  I wasn’t able to find the tartan ribbon I envisioned, but I found something else I liked just as well.

Wrapping Presents with Craft Paper and Bright Ribbon

 

I stopped by the dollar store and found this wonderfully bright “lime” green and red plaid ribbon.  It was perfect for what I had hoped to try this year with my casually wrapped gifts.  I bought the kraft paper at Walmart and it was around $4-5 for a huge 30 ft. by 2 1/2 ft. roll.

Wrapping Presents with Craft Paper and Bright Ribbon

 

It can be hard to break away from the way you’ve always done things, especially when you loved the “old way.”  But this year I was just ready to try something different.   Next year, I’m sure I’ll be ready for something else.

Christmas Presents Wrapped in Craft Paper and Colorful Ribbons

 

I had fun picking out different ribbon styles.  I mixed and matched ribbons from the dollar store in various patterns and colors.

Christmas Presents Wrapped in Craft Paper and Colorful Ribbons

 

I always like to add some extra goodies to a few of the gifts…a little something extra for those you love.

Christmas Presents Wrapped in Craft Paper and Colorful Ribbons

 

Here’s a fun easy tutorial for making these cute mice present toppers:  Christmas Mice Ornaments or Present Toppers

Make Christmas Mice Ornaments or Present Toppers

 

A lollipop in the shape of a Christmas tree will put a smile on someone’s face this year.  I found the pretty lollipops in Cracker Barrel.

Christmas Presents Wrapped in Craft Paper and Colorful Ribbons

 

Now, I should probably save this next part for a whole separate post but I’m so excited about it I couldn’t wait to share it with you. At night I’m usually running around turning on all the lights/trees.  There’s the tree on the screened-in porch, the tree in the living room and the tree in the kitchen.  There’s also the garland out on the front porch columns.  This year I came across this little gem while shopping on Amazon.  It’s a Remote Control Outlet Switch Socket – 5 Pack  and I found them on Amazon.

Christmas Tree Remote On and Off

It comes with one remote and 5 outlets.  Are you thinking what I’m thinking?  🙂

Christmas Tree Remote On and OffSo, here’s the amazing part:  I can stand in my living room or really anywhere downstairs, and when I press the buttons on the remote control, allllll the lights will come on everywhere!  The living room tree lights up and the kitchen tree glows.

Christmas Tree for the Kitchen

 

The tree on the screened-in porch lights up. (Excuse how it looks…I haven’t fluffed the branches or put its star on top, yet.  It’s on my to-do list.)

Christmas Tree on Screened in Porch

 

Even the garland on the columns on the front porch comes to life.  I don’t even have to take a step toward those areas because the remote works through walls!  No more running around at night, turning on all the lights.  I just pick up the remote from the secretary where it lives in the living room, press a few buttons and everything, everywhere lights up!  Is that cool or what?  🙂

I know I could put all these areas on timers but I don’t want them to come on when I’m not home to enjoy seeing it.   (Front Porch post below can be viewed here:  Front Porch Decorated for Christmas)

Front-Porch-Decorated-for-Christmas-with-Three-Wreaths-on-Door-and-Pottery-Barn-Knock-off-Garland

 

I haven’t decided how I’m going to use the 5th button yet.  I may use it for the feather tree upstairs in the bonus room.  Wonder if the remote will work all the way to the upstairs part of the house?  Ummmm, will have to give that a shot and see.

Feather Tree

 

Mr. “de-glittered reindeer” has made his way from the porch tablescape to the upstairs family room where he proudly stands guarding the feather tree.

Christmas Decorating with Books

He needs a little sprig of holly at this base, doesn’t he?

Christmas Decorating

 

Okay, I’m off…back on the garland search.  Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, dear friend!

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Comments

  1. He needs a sprig of holly and a red bow around his neck. I put bows on all of my art animals and people. It makes them festive. Some take that 1/16″ satin ribbon but they look cute.

  2. It’s beautiful Susan. I have used craft paper a few times for Christmas. I really like it.

    Love that remote switch gadget. Might have to check into that.

  3. I love that look of craft paper and pretty ribbons ! Love the switch gadget also! Your home is just beautiful!

  4. I believe ‘Kevin’ lives in your house. You have the perfect “Home Alone” house. I like the brown paper packages tied up with pretty ribbons. I thought of doing that this year, but have a ‘problem’ buying too much wrapping paper each year after Christmas. In your ‘traditional pictures at the top of the post’, I can only get about half of the pictures to load. The bottoms of them are gray. I’ve tried to re-load about 5 times & still can’t get them to work. Love the remote idea. I need to get that for my candles. I use to have a Christmas light switch in one of my houses, and I miss it. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

    • Thanks, Penny! I love that movie! I’m on my way back home, garland in hand. I’ll check to see what that might be with the pics…could be a plugin update I need to do.

      • Penny, I’m back now…just did the plugin update that had popped up this morn. It had to do with images so see if the blog images are loading better for you now. If not, clear your cache and then try again and please let me know.

  5. Did you find any garland? My Trader Joe’s still has it, if you have one nearby.

  6. Susan, the bows on your packages are beautiful! Is there any place I can get a tutorial?

    • Thanks, Deena. I keep thinking I should do a tutorial. I will try to do that sometime. In the meantime, go to youtube and search there or try googling. I think that’s the way I learned to tie them…many years ago I found a tutorial somewhere…don’t remember where now it was long ago.

  7. Donnie Mills says

    Your packages look amazing. Who wouldn’t want to open one of those packages… but I would just enjoy looking at it. It is always such a joy to see the ideas you come up with. I love the remote switch idea.

  8. Sharon McMurray says

    I would love that remote…I’m constantly plugging and unplugging lights around here! May check into that! your gifts are pretty both ways!

    • Sharon, I’m loving it so far! Def beats running around the house. It was always kind of creepy going out on the porch late at night to unplug the lights. So glad I don’t need to do that anymore!

  9. Your house is just beautiful and such an inspiration! Wow! Just have to know since you live in Georgia if you have discovered M.C. Twinklins in Lilburn. It is THE most wonderful Christmas store. We used to live in Decatur, but now that we live south, I still have to return to M.C. Twinklins for my Christmas FIX!!! Thanks for all your great posts!!!

    • Cherie, no…but I’m going to google them as soon as I get done leaving this comment! I live about 30 minutes away so I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for telling me about it!

      • I was just up there the other week and they have sold so much of their inventory, but if you plan to go next year, be sure to get there for their GRAND OPENING which is around the first week of November. You can sign up to get a reminder postcard. Also, they have wonderful classes on Mantle Decorating, Tree Toppers, Wreaths, Christmas tree decorating, etc. My daughter and I have taken the Tree Decorating class several times and learned so much. You just get such great ideas and a big jump start to your creativity (We also enjoy the delicious pimento cheese they serve during the break!) It is so wonderful and the ladies over there are a hoot!

        • Cherie, If you think about it next year, shoot me an email or leave me a comment when it’s nearing time for the grand opening. I will definitely go! I’ll see if I can sign up for their emails to get a reminder, too.

  10. Dorinda Selke says

    Susan – Once again you amaze me with your cleverness and craftiness – LOVE the 5-way remote idea – what a hoot ! The brown paper packages tied up with gorgeous bows and treats are just to die for! Who would even open them?? Good luck finding wreaths and garland – It’s getting to the point where if we don’t purchase these things by Halloween we won’t find them…LOL Hugs, Dorinda

    • You are so right. The stores get cleared out earlier and earlier. I couldn’t believe it when I found so many stores sold out and Christmas is still over two weeks away. Have to start early these days! Thanks! I love gadgets so this remote is right up my alley. lol

  11. I love your pretty package and you lovely bows! I also love that remote. I have my trees on timers but I still have to run around room to room on the weekends when I want them on all day, PLUS getting to the timer on the BIG living room tree is a pain (or sometimes a poke) in the you know where. I wonder if I put them all on a remote timer if I would be able to find the remote?

    • Laura, the awesome thing is you can leave the remote in one spot and it works everything from there since it works through the walls. I’m not sure of the distance, but the one I have will do the screened porch, front porch and kitchen tree while I’m standing in the living room. So if you do buy one, just keep it in one spot.

  12. Susan, I love the look of craft paper and tartan ribbon. I used to wrap my gifts like that year after year, but moved more to gift bags. I may have to revisit that tradition. 😉
    Great idea to buy the ribbon at $ Store, and the remote is an awesome idea………..Sarah

    • Thanks, Sarah! I was hoping to find some red tartan style ribbon…will have to look well in advance if I do this again. The prices of the tartan ribbon online are really bad…more than I was willing to pay.

  13. omgosh your home, and your trees are beautiful. I gasped out loud when I saw your front porch – JEALOUS!
    Also, I wanted to suggest that maybe you could go to Home Depot. Often, they will let you take their tree cuttings for free – and you could make a wreath out of that – since you seem like the Ambitious type! LOL I’ve never been ambitious enough – but someday that might change! 🙂
    Merry Christmas!

    Kisha

    • Thanks, Kisha! I checked HD last night and they had some pine garland. I almost bought it but decided to go with cedar. I was able to find some today. Thanks for that suggestion! Love free tree cuttings! I used to go beg for them at the local church up the street late on Saturday nights. I’d take a huge bag with me. I have so much cedar left over I might not need to do that this year. lol

  14. Oh, Susan, I LOVE the lime green with all the prints, plaids and kraft paper!!! This gives me a wonderful idea for next year!! I never thought to look in the Dollar Tree for fancy ribbon, either!! Your trees are gorgeous!! Oh, and thank you for telling us about the Remote and Outlet set. I know I have to have one of those! Like you, I spend 10 minutes turning on and plugging in every night! Have a blessed Christmas!

  15. Hi Susan – Everything is just beautiful. What a great idea with that remote. I will definitely look for that next year. Hope you find the garland your looking for. I don’t know about you but the stores by me in Florida are getting bare earlier this year. I hope there some things for after Christmas sale.
    Thanks for sharing.

  16. Susan, The craft paper and plaid is a nice change, not nearly as formal, but still very nice. A whole different look. Sometimes we need that to keep from getting in a rut, boy do I know that as I have a tendency to do the same thing over and over when I really like it. Sometimes things that just happen turn out for the best and I am sure this experience will do that for you too. Even though it’s not your kitchen tree, it gives a warm homey feeling to your family/living room.

    • I think you’re right, Margo. Funny how things work out, for sure. It is def a different look. I kind of like it though…doesn’t compete with the tree since it’s so understated. 🙂 Thanks!

  17. Lizzie Williams says

    This is breathtaking. It is absolutely beautiful!

  18. I wrapped everything in white paper with red die cuts for names. I like the mono color. For the DILs i put their gift in a pretty bowl with lid that I bought for them -two gifts! I like having pretty bowls to put food in at parties so I think everyone should have pretty bowls! Next year I will use craft paper for wrapping,love the look. A tutorial on bows would be greatly appreciated.

  19. I just saw a ladder with an elf on it on one of your trees. I have one too, with 2 elves that I have had for many, many years. It is my timeline picture on facebook. I’ve never seen another one like it.

    • lol My ladder only came with one elf. Not fair. No wonder it takes so long for me to get anything done around here. 😉 I believe I got him at a crafts fair many, many years ago. Do you remember where you found yours, Donna?

  20. Susan, Your post is wonderful. I am crazy about the lime green. I love the contrast of the paper with the bows. So creative. I have bows and paper for this year, but I will be on the lookout “after Christmas sales” for lime green and plaids. I am crazy about your decorations. I am crazy about the remotes. Maybe I am just crazy. This is one of your best posts. Just wonderful. I can’t wait to show my niece your packages. I want to invite her for a lunch/gift wrapping party. She loves the wrapping more than the gift.

    • Thanks! Madonna, it was Dollar General where I found the ribbon. I need to pick up another roll or two…still have another present to wrap. lol I’m almost that bad…about loving the gift wrapping more than the gifts. I love seeing a pretty present under the tree. The remotes are awesome! I can’t remember now what I was looking for on Amazon when I found them, but glad I did.

  21. Ohmygosh, Susan!
    I love, love, love all your Christmas trees and the pretty bows make the simple brown craft paper look sooo elegant! Isn’t it a pity your guests have to open those beautiful packages? lol
    I also love your idea to add some extra goodies to the gifts! I always add cute Christmas tags to them after writing the date in them, my best wishes to my guests, and, of course, their name. (This helps me to distinguish those that are similar size and shape, once they are wrapped… 😉 )
    Susan, I am sooo in love with that very, very cute little Angel you made almost 30 years ago!
    She looks sooo beautiful! I mean, look at her sweet face! You really did a great job! Kudos!
    Oh, and of course I love Mr. Max, too! To be honest, as cute as that pillow is, Susan, if you don’t mind, I prefer to contemplate Mr. Max! 🙂
    ~Hugs to you~
    Cecilia
    P.S. I hope you find the garland you’re looking for…

    • Thanks, Cecilia! I started sticking little name tags/stickers on the bottom of the presents a few years ago. I had so many of the inexpensive sticker type tags and they never match the wrapping paper, so I just stick them on the bottom out of sight. Oh, you must have read that older post. Mr. Max is the best decoration. 🙂 Every year I wonder if I should put that angel on the tree again. I guess I’m sentimental because she always goes back up on top. I found my garland, Cecilia…yay! I can’t wait to share the “wreath” I found. It’s a cute one! Big Hugs!

      • Putting the name tags/stickers on the bottom/back of the presents – me too! Once, when our children were teenagers, I simply put a number on each gift (with a very carefully noted list of #’s matching names in my possession). It was so much fun Christmas morning, taking turns selecting gifts & very often having to hand that gift to another person. Have to admit that I did intentionally have a couple of gifts marked for the wrong person to create some additional humor. Love big beautiful bows – best Christmas invention: wired ribbon. OK, that may tie for first place with your newly found 5 outlet remote.

  22. Mary from Virginia says

    Beautiful bows Susan! I think your presents look great with your tree. I would love a tutorial on your bow making style. SO PRETTY.

    Glad you were able to find some greenery.

    P.S. I am retiring from Adult Services! YAY ME!

  23. Your tree looks so beautiful! I like your gift package wrapping! You did great with your ribbon!
    Those remotes look like they are pretty cool!

  24. I love your decorating ideas. You do such beautiful work. I put up my Frasier Fir tree today, (usually use artificial) wanted something different this year. Changed from solid white lights to all color…lol…showing my age 50 ugh….hey, just ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill so its ok. I’m with you went haven’t decorated my front door yet and everyplace is sold out of fresh greens. Well, guess I will have to devise a plan on what I will do. Thanks for sharing your home with us. It’s gorgeous, and a Merry Christmas to you !!!! Keep on blogging sista…Kim in NH…

    • Thanks, Kim! Appreciate that so much! I hope you can find something. Do they have Pike Nurseries in your area? That’s where I found some. I did find some pine garland in a Home Depot but I was thinking about using something else. Try Lowes, also…they often have garland.

  25. Susan…the tree is beautiful…I wrapped gifts many, many years ago…back in the 80’s in craft paper and pretty red plaid ribbon…I had bows all over the tree to match the ribbon on the packages…then I got away from that and went to the pretty papers….all things come around….
    Garland…we actually ordered some on line…went to put them up and one of the garland lights not working…uugghh…I thought I was the only one behind this year!!…Love the remote!!!..

    • How about that…things really do cycle right back around, don’t they? 🙂 Oh no. Shirley, I’ve been thinking about getting one of those “guns” they make that will supposedly fix light strings. Have you seen those?

  26. Your house looks so beautiful and you have been busy decorating! I love the style of bows on your packages and hope you will post a tutorial on how to make them. Merry Christmas, Susan!

  27. Susan, I now have an image of you running around stores, garlands in hand, checking out your website and arriving home breathless!! 🙂
    Love, love, the way you have wrapped your gifts. I was going to ask if you had tagged them and saw that Cecelia had covered that question!! 🙂
    The ribbon looks spectacular and love your trees. Does Mr. Max have a special Christmas gift?? 🙂

  28. Well, my house is decorated, but there is NOT the first present under the tree [most aren’t even bought!] I am starting to feel like Alice too, it’s a very panicky feeling and I don’t like it at all! Your packages look fabulous, I love the craft paper. I do use a remote for the tree, saves all that horrible bending down, 🙂 but a 5 remote set is to die for!
    Jenna

  29. Oh Susan, I’m with you in having to change things every few years or so, even if I loved the previous way! I’m not quite sure if it’s because I need change or I just can’t remember what I’d done! 🙂 I love all of your changes & your house looks so festive & ready for holiday gatherings! The remote control idea is brilliant & after writing this post, I am off to Amazon to find one of those thingees for myself! Thank you for that info. About your reindeer needing something…I put candle rings around my “objets.” I use them as laurels or sometimes they go on the base. You can find various sizes to fit various shapes & widths. If the candle ring is too snug, I just clip it with my wire cutters, & voila! It’s a perfect fit! Hope your hunting was successful!

  30. Susan, your tree and gift wrap are beautiful. I have a similar 3 remote system. I need to look into the 5! Makes life so much easier than my old tap foot button cords! Merry Christmas~

  31. I love your tree and I love the use of craft paper for wrapping with the plaid bows. My daughter starting using craft paper for all her gifts last year and I wanted to steal that idea but haven’t started yet. The addition of the plaid ribbons add some festive red and green to the packages. We have been using remote controls for our trees for years but we have multiples. I just went out and purchased this one. Great idea. Thanks for the tip.

    • Linda, you can buy it so inexpensively at Walmart. It’s really thick, though. I’m wondering if someone makes it a bit thinner for gift wrapping. I was using a single remote for one tree and a step-on thingy for the other one. Love being able to control everything in one remote.

  32. Looks great and your stripped down windows and armoir also show the new mood youv’e taken. Much better. And don’t you just love not having to clean all that stuff LOL. P.S. did you check Sam’s for the plaid ribbon. They had some but tend to sell out of the best choices. Merry Christmas.

  33. Nancy Bednar says

    Hi Susan,
    I’m with the rest of the ladies, your gift bows are beautiful! Please do a how to tutorial for those of us who do sometimes great, sometimes not so fabulous bows! Heading to my Dollar Tree for that plaid ribbon too! All of my packages had lime green sparkling ribbon, so fresh and new.

  34. Regarding the remote, I shall definitely store that item in ‘my memory bank’ for my list of purchases next year. Didn’t even know such a thing existed. (Thank you!) I see that you were successful in purchasing your Garland, so hooray! Your place is looking beautiful Susan and I am sure that old St. Nick himself will be impressed.

    The craft-paper parcels also look marvelous. Actually I opted to do ‘the gift from The Elves’ in it this year as well. (A tradition of mine for those who join us at our Christmas Table.) Speaking of which, in lieu of bowes I used little Elves as the tie-ons and ended up having to ask a friend of mine in the United States to order and ship them to me since an Elf was not to be found … at least in the City I live in. I experienced similar two years ago when I was looking for Sock Monkeys; and now I am seeing them literally everywhere. Even in the grocery stores…LOL. It is not the first time that this has occurred as it appears I am just one of those people always looking for something before it becomes a trend, which can prove to be a curse at times. You watch, they will be everywhere next year! ºÜº Hugs, hugs -Brenda-

    • Isn’t that the way it ALWAYS is, Brenda. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent hours (and gas) driving around trying to find something, then the next year it’s EVERYWHERE! 🙂 I love the idea of the elves…I just may have to copy that for next year! They could become tree ornaments for the person receiving them, I’m guessing. Great idea!

  35. I ordered the remote controls from Amazon about 10 last night and when I opened my emails they had already been shipping. I am looking forward to not going out on the deck and unplugging the lights. Thanks for the info.

  36. Gorgeous and creative “light bulb!” You are the second blog I’ve read today they’ve been off to “Pikes!” Everything looks “just right!” franki

  37. I love your home year round, but you have done an amazing job at Christmas. The presents in craft paper are beautiful. Love it all, and look forward to more of your wonderful ideas.

  38. This is an awesome product, Susan! Thank you for sharing. I have every tree, garland and all of my outdoor decor on timers which works well, but they’re starting to wear out one by one and are expensive to replace. Love, love, love your trees and the pretty plaid ribbon!

  39. Just stopping by to let you know that the pix loaded just fine now! 😉

  40. I love your gift wrapping and lovely bows. I also use the brown craft paper for my gifts – and each person has a different ribbon. The only way they know which gift is there is I put a scrap in the bottom of their stocking. It makes for great anticipation. We also love, love, love remote controls. We use ours year round – we put them on accent lamps around the house. They are fabulous. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
    Hugs –
    Carol

    • Carol, I love that idea…ribbon for each person and a piece in the bottom of the stocking! I think I may be keeping these outlets and the remote out after Christmas. I have so much fun pressing the buttons and watching everything light up. 🙂

    • @ Carol. Love the different ribbons for each member and the scrap in the stocking. What a great, fun idea!

  41. I’m totally going have to get one of those outlet remotes. We too have several trees and it’s no fun running around turning the lights on and off. A few years ago, I worked at Michael’s part time (used every penny I made there shopping there) and found some beautiful red tartan plaid ribbon. I bought pretty much the entire supply. As soon as a new shipment came in, I bought more ribbon. I love it and am so glad because it is hard to find now!

    Love your craft paper wrapped gifts and, well, everything in your post. The reindeer does need some holly but that’s coming from someone who pretty much decks all the walls, halls, shelves, floors, ceilings . . .

  42. Helen @ Seaside Interiors says

    I love the look of both styles of presents under the tree! Your bows are just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your home for the holidays.

  43. Everything looks beautiful, Susan! I particularly love the craft paper and different ribbons. One year I used White paper, red ribbon, and golden sealing wax. It looked so pretty but I only did it once as it was very labor intensive, espeically the sealing wax!? Wishing you a beautiful Christmas. Enjoy your lovely home!

  44. Thank you, thank you, thanks you. Ordered the 5 outlet remote from Anazon as soon as I read your post. Got them in about two days. I absolutely love it. Ordered a set for my son and daughter. I plan to use mine all year. I can think of a hundred things to do with it. Thank you for the wonderful idea.

  45. HI Susan!
    May I ask if your tree is pre lit or if you use strands of lights? I like the way your tree lights look and cant figure out whats different about it than the trees I have. Thank you!

    • Yep, it came prelit. I bought it at Home Depot Expo during a black Friday sale. They were pretty expensive trees so I waited until they went on sale and they were still pretty expensive. If I’m remembering correctly, the lighting starts toward the inside of each branch and goes around and around each branch out to the tip, so it has a lot of lights.

      • thank you for the description, my pre lits lights are mostly on the inner branches so that must be the difference. Im going to keep my eye out for new tree now -sparkly beautiful. Love your blog.

        • Thanks! Watch for a great black Friday sale. Unfortunately, the trees with A LOT of lights seem to be on the pricey side. I’ve had these two (Kitchen and Den) for quite a few years though, so I guess they were worth it. I actually like the tree in the kitchen the best because the branches are different lengths and the way it’s shaped seems more natural. It also came with pine cones attached, which I like. 🙂

  46. ..more great tips, I would love to find one with pine cones too. I see more and more Christmas trees being made with LED lights which worry me. I hope these pretty pre-lit trees dont become extinct.

  47. Diane A Parks says

    Susan, I LOVE your trees and kraft paper wrap! Your ribbon is awesome…..I’m still in a lime-green mode! The year my grandson was 5 (he’s 24 now)……I let him rubber stamp and draw kraft paper for our wrap. I still have most of the paper saved! He drew pictures of most family members and Santa pics…..so precious! One year I photo copied old santa and Christmas pictures on white paper for wrap. Fortunately my daughter-in-law saved it, because we lost most of the santa pictures of our 3 boys in a flood in our basement. How foolish of me to keep them down there. I thought I was “saving” them from the heat in the attic. Love and look forward to your posts every morning with my coffee!

  48. how do I post pictures – so excited to share my wrapped gifts using your suggestion.

  49. Hi Susan. I don’t think I was blogging with you back in 2012. I use craft paper but what I use as ribbon is dark green jute string. Seeing your feather tree makes me want to get out my small tree and use it this year. I love the reindeer with or without his holly. On the remotes I discovered these a few years ago too. I use them outside and inside. On garlands, trees, all in different rooms. It is amazing to stand in one spot and have everything turn on!! I would suggest though that when buying remotes be sure each set has a different channel (A, B, C, D, etc.). If you get two with the same channel you’ll be turning some off that you just turned on! Took me awhile to figure that one out.

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