Misc Decorating for Christmas

**luv** · 11-20-2013, 10:12 AM

When do you do it? Real tree or artificial? Color scheme? Multiple trees/rooms? Outdoor decorating?

I currently live in a studio apartment, so I went out and bought a 4' pre-lit tree. I have a few decorations, but it just a few knick-knacks. I have a strand of lights that I typically wrap around the railing of my balcony, but they decided not to work this year.

Looks like it's another trip to the store for lights and ornament hooks.

Also, do you have any traditions (i.e. family outing to find a tree, children making decorations, etc)?

**loochy** · 11-20-2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

When do you do it? Real tree or artificial? Color scheme? Multiple trees/rooms? Outdoor decorating?

I currently live in a studio apartment, so I went out and bought a 4' pre-lit tree. I have a few decorations, but it just a few knick-knacks. I have a strand of lights that I typically wrap around the railing of my balcony, but they decided not to work this year.

Looks like it's another trip to the store for lights and ornament hooks.

Also, do you have any traditions (i.e. family outing to find a tree, children making decorations, etc)?

I put this little thing on the coffee table about 3 days before Christmas. That's about it.

**Scorp** · 11-20-2013, 10:19 AM

**** Christmas!

KC_Lee · 11-20-2013, 10:20 AM

Tree in the front living room & tree in the master bedroom, both artificial. I build a new yard decoration every year to add to the outside display, along with a couple of items (Snoopy & Woodstock) I purchased.

I've run through my cache of left over lumber from our house rebuild so I'll have to buy more for next year. Used an old sheet of underlayment to create Snoopy's dog house this year, see attached.

**luv** · 11-20-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Lee

Tree in the front living room & tree in the master bedroom, both artificial. I build a new yard decoration every year to add to the outside display, along with a couple of items (Snoopy & Woodstock) I purchased.

I've run through my cache of left over lumber from our house rebuild so I'll have to buy more for next year. Used an old sheet of underlayment to create Snoopy's dog house this year, see attached.

Any ideas on what I can do with an apartment balcony? I have a feeling there will be a contest. My usual single strand of lights doesn't usually help...lol. I don't want to go all Clark Griswold and blind my neighbors, though. I know I can be creative. I just need some ideas to get me started.

KC_Lee · 11-20-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Any ideas on what I can do with an apartment balcony? I have a feeling there will be a contest. My usual single strand of lights doesn't usually help...lol. I don't want to go all Clark Griswold and blind my neighbors, though. I know I can be creative. I just need some ideas to get me started.

Pre-lit wreaths and use zip ties to attach them to your balcony.

**luv** · 11-20-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Lee

Pre-lit wreaths and use zip ties to attach them to your balcony.

I like the use of zip ties, but I think I'm going to look for something other than wreaths. That's a lot of plugging in, and I'm not sure I want to go that traditional.

KC_Lee · 11-20-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

I like the use of zip ties, but I think I'm going to look for something other than wreaths. That's a lot of plugging in, and I'm not sure I want to go that traditional.

One thing that I have done in the past is use a pre-drilled peg board to create outlines of shapes; XMas trees, stars, etc., by using standard smaller outdoor lights. The bulbs fit perfectly in the predrilled holes and you can switch is up as much as you like.

**mdchiefsfan** · 11-20-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Any ideas on what I can do with an apartment balcony? I have a feeling there will be a contest. My usual single strand of lights doesn't usually help...lol. I don't want to go all Clark Griswold and blind my neighbors, though. I know I can be creative. I just need some ideas to get me started.

listopencil · 11-20-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Any ideas on what I can do with an apartment balcony?

Don't lean against the railing after a hot date.

tooge · 11-21-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Any ideas on what I can do with an apartment balcony? I have a feeling there will be a contest. My usual single strand of lights doesn't usually help...lol. I don't want to go all Clark Griswold and blind my neighbors, though. I know I can be creative. I just need some ideas to get me started.

just make sure the drapes match the carpet. Thats all you need to know about decorating.

Katipan · 11-20-2013, 10:20 AM

I put everything up the day before Halloween. This was a special year. A very young cousin died a year ago on Halloween so we collectively skipped it. This very large family goes swimming for Christmas. They usually rent out a meeting room at a hotel and take over. It's very funny.

And not at all what I was expecting when I clicked my slippers and asked for family.

HolyHat · 11-20-2013, 10:22 AM

Usually right after 4th of July weekend we put our shit up. Sometimes we wait until Tuesday.

**Lzen** · 11-20-2013, 10:30 AM

Growing up we would not put up our Christmas tree until about 2 weeks before Christmas. And it was always an artificial tree. I think I also had a small artificial tree in my bedroom.

My wife's family was a bit different, though. She likes us to put up the tree on the day after Thanksgiving. We just always go over to Lowes and pick up a real tree. The kids help decorate. She likes the plain white lights. Sort of the "country" look.

I've always preferred the multi colored lights.

We also have a few decorations in the front yard including a Nativity I made for her a couple years ago. That reminds me, I need to make my teenage son get up on the roof this weekend and string some lights.

**Lzen** · 11-20-2013, 10:32 AM

One thing that annoys me nowadays is that you start to see commercials for Christmas and decorations/items in stores in October. Can we at least get through Thanksgiving first?

11-20-2013, 10:12 AM	Topic Starter
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1250000	Decorating for Christmas When do you do it? Real tree or artificial? Color scheme? Multiple trees/rooms? Outdoor decorating? I currently live in a studio apartment, so I went out and bought a 4' pre-lit tree. I have a few decorations, but it just a few knick-knacks. I have a strand of lights that I typically wrap around the railing of my balcony, but they decided not to work this year. Looks like it's another trip to the store for lights and ornament hooks. Also, do you have any traditions (i.e. family outing to find a tree, children making decorations, etc)?
Posts: 63,567

11-20-2013, 10:19 AM	#3
Scorp Whiskey Tango Foxtrot OVER! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hell Casino cash: $6629000	**** Christmas! __________________
Posts: 4,507

11-20-2013, 10:20 AM	#4
KC_Lee You're CARICATURES, ALL of you Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $-1899040	Tree in the front living room & tree in the master bedroom, both artificial. I build a new yard decoration every year to add to the outside display, along with a couple of items (Snoopy & Woodstock) I purchased. I've run through my cache of left over lumber from our house rebuild so I'll have to buy more for next year. Used an old sheet of underlayment to create Snoopy's dog house this year, see attached. Attached Thumbnails __________________ “There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy.” - Jacob Bronowski, The Ascent of Man
Posts: 12,188

11-20-2013, 10:20 AM	#12
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $-959649	I put everything up the day before Halloween. This was a special year. A very young cousin died a year ago on Halloween so we collectively skipped it. This very large family goes swimming for Christmas. They usually rent out a meeting room at a hotel and take over. It's very funny. And not at all what I was expecting when I clicked my slippers and asked for family. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 23,652

11-20-2013, 10:30 AM	#14
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-669308	Growing up we would not put up our Christmas tree until about 2 weeks before Christmas. And it was always an artificial tree. I think I also had a small artificial tree in my bedroom. My wife's family was a bit different, though. She likes us to put up the tree on the day after Thanksgiving. We just always go over to Lowes and pick up a real tree. The kids help decorate. She likes the plain white lights. Sort of the "country" look. I've always preferred the multi colored lights. We also have a few decorations in the front yard including a Nativity I made for her a couple years ago. That reminds me, I need to make my teenage son get up on the roof this weekend and string some lights. __________________ Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.
Posts: 42,484

11-20-2013, 10:32 AM	#15
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-669308	One thing that annoys me nowadays is that you start to see commercials for Christmas and decorations/items in stores in October. Can we at least get through Thanksgiving first? __________________ Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.
Posts: 42,484