Today is the first of July and also is the first day of my series Christmas In July 2011. Today I am looking at Christmas themes for 2011. Through out July I will be posting:
- Very simple handmade Christmas gift ideas
- Presents for you! Weekly Giveaways that will be drawn at the end of the month to make it really feel like Christmas in July.
Some of you maybe thinking “why on earth are you thinking about Christmas themes when Christmas is still six months away?” Well the answer is so I can plan of course! To see why I choose a theme for Christmas each year, check out my post from last year Christmas Themes For 2010.
Knowing what the theme for Christmas is earlier in the year means I can be on the look out for bargains and also hand make items in the lead up without putting myself under to much pressure.
Until I put this post together I had no idea what the theme for this year was going to be. Check out these options and I will tell you what I have decided at the end!
Black and White Christmas Theme
For those of you who follow Australian Rules Football, you would know that Black and White are the colours of Collingwood. Everyone but me in our house barracks for Collingwood so there was enormous pressure for this colour theme to get up!
This gorgeous black and white table setting comes from Better Homes and Gardens Australia. Check out the link to see instructions on how to make
the silver candlesticks and place-card holders.
Simple decorations made out of newspaper fit the black and white theme perfectly. This post from Better Homes and Gardens USA will give you more inspiratation.
Martha Stewart has a range of black and white designs you can download and print for wrapping paper. She even has a template for place card holders you can download!
Peppermint Candy Christmas Theme
Simple but sweet place card holders from Martha Stewart.
Love these peppermint candy hand made Christmas baubles from Good Housekeeping.
This Peppermint Bark from Martha Stewart could be served as a sweet on Christmas Day or you could make it to be a hand made theme inspired gift in the lead up.
Eco Friendly Theme
We picked up solar powered fairy lights a few years ago on sale at Aldi in the lead up to Christmas. Prior to having these we didn’t have nay lighting outside our house as I was wary about the environmental impact they would have. Dick Smith Electronics has them on sale via their online store for a reasonable price.
Check out the tutorial from Bobbi’s Art to learn how to make this gorgeous garland out of old Christmas cards.
You could make these angel decorations out of recycled materials or you could buy them from biome. These hand made angels are pretty special:
The angels are crafted by a group of teenage students who live in an area of Northern Zululand, many of whom are orphans from the AIDS epidemic.
Each angel comes with a story about who made them.
For more inspiration on Christmas themes you can see my previous posts:
- Christmas Theme Ideas 2010 – Natural, Blue and Silver, Red and White themes.
- Christmas Theme Ideas 2009 – Non Traditional Bright Colours, Natural, Red, Green and Silver themes.
Have you chosen your Christmas Theme for 2011? It is an eco friendly theme for Planning With Kids this year!
EDIT: And if you are looking for ideas for what to serve this Christmas, you might like to check out my post on Christmas Menu Ideas.
{ 31 comments }
Excellent theme!! And I can’t believe today is July!!!!!! I’m thinking a red and white swedish theme for our house this year – but unlike you I haven’t made any decisions yet…watch this space
xxxCate
keepcatebusy (Cate)´s last [type] ..Day 262 – my serendipitous ticket to blogopolis
I should be able to use some recycled material to make your lovely doves!
I love this, I think about christmas all year round as it’s my most favourite time of the year. I love to plan and prepare craft activities, etc. I have already purchased little pencils and erasers for my two kids to give to the kids at kinder. I bought them at the end of last year, so each gift is only going to cost .22c and that’s better than a candy cane.
I love themes, but my daughter has instrusted this year is going to be rainbow themed, she wants to use everything we have, as 5 year olds do. I have my decorations stored in tubs according to colour, so maybe I’ll get away with only pulling a couple out. I’ll see how I go when the time comes.
Finally, pinterest is my best friend, Since discovering this I’ve been able to create a ‘christmas board’ where I store loads of wonderful christmas ideas. Some I’ll choose for this coming year, others I’ll save for later. I can’t wait. – Christmas, the best day of the year because it’s an everyboday celebration!
Mandy´s last [type] ..Things I know – I’m drowning
A Christmas board is a fantastic idea!
Glad it’s not just me thinking about Christmas already!
I challenged myself to only give handmade, homemade, vintage or repurposed/recycled gifts all this year, so I really need to think about it this far out. Plus I love the idea of making decorations. Will have to start thinking about that too, because the year goes so ridiculously quickly!
Brooke {The Lavender Experiment}´s last [type] ..Repurposing: Craft By Using What You’ve Got
IT can be a challenge to make homemade but it is easier if you have some time to play with.
I want to make a big effort this year for an Eco Christmas. Thanks for getting me thinking about it. Starting this early, slow and steady, will help in getting organized.
Sonia´s last [type] ..The cookbook influence
Thanks Nicole! Good idea to start thinking and planning now.
Do you have a different footy team you go for or you just don’t follow footy?
My oldest son suddenly changed from Eagles to Collingwood last year (wonder why!!) But so far all 5 of us have a different team we support so it’s lots of fun and rivalry!
I’m sure your Collingwood family will thoroughly enjoy the Black and White Christmas this year
Jacquie
I actually barrack for Carlton but don’t really follow the footy at AFL level. Enjoy Rugby union and the round ball game more.
I’m well up for Christmas any time of year!! x
Maxabella´s last [type] ..HAPPY GIVEAWAY: Your perfect party outfit
Your giveaway is like Christmas in July!
love this post – keep them coming xxx
tam´s last [type] ..A new little girl’s outfit (you can’t notice in this shot that I stuffed up the neck line!)
I had fun putting it together.
yep, I theme Christmas, although for the last couple of years it’s been a kid-hodge-podge tree that they’ve totally been responsible for decorating. This year I’m hoping to have a lot more handmade/kid made decorations and gifts, and early planning is the best way to make that happen!
cate´s last [type] ..some answers… I think?
By the end of school term, our tree is generally loaded up with the kids decos as well.
you are so my kind of person. I LOVE getting all planned up for Xmas – although admittedly I have never started in July…. going to get my thinking cap on!
Doing some basic planning in July has been so helpful to me over the last few years. Blogging helos with things like this!
I love organising early! Only I cannot do any theme that doesn’t have red and green in it… I’m such a traditionalist!
Veggie Mama´s last [type] ..Desert Island Discs – my castaway kitchen tunes
Red and green is always gorgeous!
These are really cool and awesome ideas for Christmas! I really would want to try these stuffs. I bet my Christmas would be a lot happier and fun because of these themes. Thanks for sharing this one!
cozy´s last [type] ..DATING TIPS FOR WOMEN
I love trying new things each year with Christmas. Good luck to you!
Now that all 4 of my childrens birthdays are over for this year i can start thinking about Christmas.
I think i’m going to try and do a red and green theme, yes i know its old, been done and very plain but i’m thinking the basic colours throughout the house will allow me to go a bit adventurous with some of the decorations i want (and have).
So much to plan and so little time to do it lol
We have two birthdays in the month leading up to Christmas. One of the reasons I starting getting organised now!
Thank you for including my garland here! I see some fun ideas I want to try out this year:)
Bobbi´s last [type] ..Ahhhh Summer
Thanks you for letting me use your image Bobbi!
i love this! looks so vivid and exciting!
sap´s last [type] ..The best solution to get rid of stretch marks – 10 beauty tips
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one thinking about Christmas already! I’m starting to plan gifts as I like to hand make a lot of what I give, but theme wise, I decided last year I wanted all white ornaments , but I’m starting to think that I might let a little colour in as well
Bec @ Bad Mummy´s last [type] ..One thing that makes you a good mum
oh I am so hoping our renos are all done and we can plan a fabulous Christmas at home this year… pity I won’t know if that will happen till about October! So until then I will just organise in my head and enjoy your posts and ideas!
katepickle´s last [type] ..Lovely Links – Happy Things
Wow I’m already excited what theme I will be using this coming Christmas. It’s already July and I have lots of time to prepare.
emily´s last [type] ..How to Use Credit Cards
I also am thinking about Christmas since it is my favorite time of the year. I am also thinking about doing a theme this year, but have not decided what theme; was thinking on a white Christmas , but not sure.
Would like some additional suggestions.
My decor is mostly traditional; colors are red, green, and gold. I know this might sound too much like Christmas already, but the colors do work all year round.
I put up 4 trees but want the living room to have a theme. Bedrooms are decided by individual.
Love that everyone is excited at this time of year for christmas like me. I just love christmas and love the preperation even more. Cannot wait to see more ideas, tips
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