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Tuesday 18 December 2012

Preparing For Christmas With Vintage Vic...Part 3





 Stayed up late last night, decorating the Christmas tree. I am quite pleased with it. Every year I struggle with one question...Tinsel or no tinsel? I remember as a child, being so excited about the sparkle of the tinsel on the tree. I have seen pictures of trees decorated with tinsel, that look wonderful.

Picture taken from trendzona.com
This is not our tree!



However, when I have tried it, my tree just looks a mess! So, no tinsel then!


I started with the lights. White ones. Loads of the bulbs have gone, so I shall have to sort that out soon, but they look ok.

Then I added the other decorations. I do not go in for smart trees, with a colour theme, I like as much variety as possible! We have built up quite a collection over the years, but I did not use everything we have this year!
Every year I say we have enough decorations and don't need to buy any more...Every year we do!! This year is no exception! I bought these lovely little vintage glittery Santas...


We also bought a few other bits to decorate our home...but more on that later!


Once the fairy was sitting proudly on top of the tree, lights twinkling, it was time to tackle the rest of the house. 
No room is missed. I remember as a child, feeling sad when I went into the bathroom, because it wasn't Christmas in there! So, I'm afraid every room gets the festive treatment!

Here are a few of my favourite bits from our decorations at home this year...




This is our dresser. Our downstairs area is open plan, so it can be seen from every angle! You can just catch a peek at our tree too. It is a real one, I am not keen on artificial trees, because I like the pine smell!





I filled my lovely cake stand with festive baubles. The treats tin is a vintage treasure I have had for a few years now. The honeycomb snowman, in the pink hat is new. Well, no actually it is vintage, from the 1960s I think, but I only bought it this year. I absolutely love it!!






The wonderful little candle holding angels I bought from America. This was also this year. The picture is an adorable Christmas card from the 1950s. I set it in a mount, painted the frame red and added glitter. Then put it all together and I am thrilled with the result!






I bought this shabby chic picture frame a few years ago, from someone in America, on Etsy, just before they became fashionable and started to appear everywhere!! The picture is a greetings card, not vintage this time, but the picture is vintage style and I love it!






These little snowmen were bought at a craft fair. The candle holder I found for sale for next to nothing. A real bargain, but it does not look cheap.






Another framed 1950s card!







We bought this little side table a few years ago, at a boot fair. I love it. For Christmas, it is covered with another vintage treasure. A 1970s hand embroidered cloth, that I bought from America, on Etsy a few years ago. The big bowl will be filled with fruit, the little tub will hold chocolates. We love Dopey in this family, so each year we bring out Santa Dopey and Elf Dopey. Both from the Disney store. My husband in particular gets excited about this!












I have mixed in some Christmas bits, with my vintage china display.






A few vintage baubles in the kitchen.


So, the house is ready for the big day, even if I am not!!

V Vx























Charity Cover of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas'




 I must share with you is some exciting news about my lovely son Mitchell!
He is an 18 year old singer, songwriter, dj and promoter. He is currently at University, studying Music Performance, having already completed a BTech in Music Technology. Anyway, a local music promoter has recently gathered together some of the local musicians, including Mitch, to record a cover version of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. There is also a video of them making the recording, to go with it. My Mitch is the tall boy with glasses wearing a white shirt and black waistcoat.




You can download this for free, but they are asking for donations to The Meningitis Trust.

Mitch could hardly believe it when he received a message saying that the local news wanted to do a feature on the song, on tv. The singers gathered, were filmed and this is the result. It was shown on the local news last Saturday!






Some of the singers record the cover song.


Well done to everyone involved!








Thursday 13 December 2012

Save The Children's National Christmas Jumper Day!






I found out through Susie Watson's wonderful pottery company, 



14th December 2012 is Christmas jumper day, in aid of Save The Children.



 The staff will be wearing all kind of Christmas knitware!

This inspired me to take a look at some interesting festive sweaters myself!!





I love this one to bits...
I found it on the website of Susan Crawford Vintage and you can buy and download the pattern for just £4






Here's one for the boys, although I'd wear it too!
It is available from the website of Poor Boy for £30...










I found this interesting picture on the website of Huffington Post Students. I'm pretty sure it is, in fact, not Boris Johnson, Johnny Depp and David Beckham modelling these interesting Christmas outfits, but you can find the picture, along with details on how to choose the perfect festive jumper on their website!








Another nice one, this time from Harper and Lewis Vintage.








I found this great Santa design on Etsy, in the shop, Music City Vintage, as you can see!



I shall round off with this,oh so cute, Rudolph! This one is from the aptly named 
festivejumpers.com



So, I hope I have inspired you to join in festive jumper day! If you are reading this and December 14th 2012 has gone, you could just consider making a small donation to Save The Children anyway and wear your funky sweater with pride, on any day of the year!!


This is the blog post from Save The Children, with their suggestion for making a cheap, last minute, Christmas outfit...












Friday 7 December 2012

Prepare For Christmas With Vintage Vic...Part 2





Ok, so when I left you last we had a fair list of tasks to complete. We were writing lists like crazy. Well, I've definitely been doing that!



You should have your advent calendar on the go now. I found a gorgeous one at a vintage fair and the rest of my family are munching on chocolates, from the wooden one we bring out each year.

I have all my Christmas cards written, addressed and stamps are attached. If you are not there yet, don't forget to look at my Vintage Vic vintage and handmade cards, both in my Etsy shop and on Ebay...




CLICK HERE FOR VINTAGE VIC'S ON ETSY


CLICK HERE FOR VINTAGE VIC'S ON EBAY


I am also well on the way to having my Christmas gifts bought and I have wrapping paper and ribbons standing by!  If you are a bit stuck, try on-line sites...




CLICK HERE FOR 'NOT ON THE HIGH STREET'


CLICK HERE FOR ETSY


CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON



So, there are about two and a half weeks left before the big day! DON'T PANIC!!



Picture taken from moneyaware.co uk


Probably best to get those cards in the post soon and don't forget to check last posting dates on International post.

Picture taken from http://www.ekmpowershop21.com


Try to get your wrapping paper ready now and Christmas Crackers, depending on where in the world you are.


Picture taken from flickriver.com


Dig out the Christmas tableware, cloth, napkins, crockery, cutlery etc  Check for damage and wash ready for use. This year we are using our lovely Paragon Victoriana Rose Crockery, that I have been collecting for 2 or 3 years now, piece by piece.

Picture taken from chinasearch.co.uk




Do you have your candles?

Picture taken from flickr.com


Now is a good time to go through your decorations, if they are not already up. Check bulbs on lights. Do you have enough ornament hooks? I never do!


Picture taken from mistletoenholly.com




Plan your menus, particularly for big days with guests to cater for. You can get the non perishables now and maybe place orders for things such as turkey etc for collection or delivery later.


Picture taken from etsy.com



That's probably enough to be thinking about for now!

Picture taken from Sodahead.com


Talk soon!

VV x