Let’s Start Prepping for Christmas

Christmas Thrifted Finds for Projects and Decor

Welcome to the blog today, Friends!

I realized over the past few days that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and Christmas is not far behind! Goodness, how did that happen? It seems the time has gotten away from me, and I had better get busy preparing for the holidays. Rather than panic, I decided to jump right in and share some of the Christmas treasures I have collected over the past ten months.

I usually start looking in January for things that might be useful during the next Christmas season. You never know what might turn up while thrifting or visiting an estate sale, and I love finding little treasures that can be tucked away for future projects and holiday decorating. This year, however, I promised myself I would not go overboard. My goal is to sort through things I am no longer using, make a little more room, and be thoughtful about what I bring home. Of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t be tempted by a particularly charming Christmas find!

I’ve divided my discoveries into a few sections so I can share all these goodies with you. There are some fun pieces for decorating, a few things for holiday projects, and items that will be put to good use throughout the season.

The picture above shows two very sweet Christmas mixing bowls that will look right at home on the kitchen counter. They will also be fun to use when I get started on holiday baking. The bowls are identical, each featuring a cheerful snowman standing in front of a Christmas tree. Snowflakes are falling all around, giving them that cozy, country Christmas feeling.

I have always enjoyed using Christmas bowls when preparing holiday goodies. There is something about bringing out seasonal dishes and kitchen accessories that makes even an ordinary afternoon of baking feel a little more festive. And who wouldn’t smile at a happy snowman while mixing up a batch of Christmas cookies? These bowls are sure to add a bit of holiday cheer to the kitchen!

I found a few really fun porcelain mugs by Lenox and Spode, along with some wonderful wolf mugs that I couldn’t resist bringing home.

The Naughty and Nice mugs are by Lenox and will be so much fun to use in the days leading up to Christmas. I know which one I am, but how about you? Are you on the naughty list or the nice list this year? LOL! These are just the sort of playful little touches that make the holiday season even more enjoyable.

The other plaid mug is part of Spode’s Christmas Tree collection. It has a darling little porcelain piece tucked into the handle that can be used for stirring your favorite holiday beverage. What a clever detail! I love finding pieces that are not only pretty but have a little something extra that makes them special. I can just imagine enjoying a cup of tea or hot chocolate in this one on a chilly December afternoon.

Finally, I found a set of four wolf mugs. Wolves have always been a favorite of mine, so these were an especially fun discovery. I loved the illustrations on the outside of each mug and thought they were too good to pass up. They will be perfect for enjoying a warm drink during the winter months, and I can see them becoming favorites long after the Christmas decorations have been put away.

I was lucky enough to find some really lovely ornaments over the course of the year. The Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments are a particular favorite of mine, and I have collected quite a number of them by Lenox, Waterford, and Michael Aram. I was able to add a few fun pieces to the collection this year, including a cheerful Lenox snowman and a Lenox Cat in a Box. Both are such delightful additions!

One of my most exciting finds was a group of three vintage white and gold Lenox ornaments from their Twelve Days of Christmas series. I love the classic look of these pieces, and finding vintage ornaments in such pretty condition is always a thrill.

I also came across some beautiful porcelain ornaments depicting scenes from Ireland. I’m Irish on my dad’s side, so these were especially meaningful to me. It was wonderful to find such lovely pieces that celebrate a little part of my family heritage. They will be especially nice to bring out each Christmas.

Another great find was a Michael Aram Partridge in a Pear Tree ornament, which will have a special place on the Christmas tree. And just when I thought my Twelve Days collection was complete for the year, a set of pewter Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments found its way to me! I haven’t decided which tree they will go on just yet, but I’m sure I’ll find the perfect spot for them.

There is something so much fun about discovering Christmas ornaments throughout the year. Each one has its own story, and by the time December arrives, the tree becomes a collection of memories as well as decorations. I can’t wait to see all these new treasures sparkling among the branches!

I’m also a big fan of Christmas art, especially the smaller pieces that can be tucked into little spaces throughout the house. I found a couple of fun pieces this year that I am looking forward to displaying. The first is a drawing of Santa in a living room, hand-drawn by someone who obviously loved Christmas. I always enjoy finding artwork that has a handmade quality to it. You can almost imagine the person sitting down and creating it with a little holiday cheer in their heart.

The next piece is a three-dimensional gingerbread house, nicely framed in red. It is such a sweet little scene and will be a fun addition to my Christmas decorating this year. I love the way small pieces of art can bring a bit of whimsy and seasonal charm to a shelf, table, or little corner that needs some Christmas spirit.

I also found several needlework pieces a few months back that are both whimsical and sweet. There are a number of angel designs, along with a cross-stitch Christmas pillow. I love the look of vintage needlework and the time and care that go into creating these pieces. They have a cozy, nostalgic quality that seems just right for Christmas.

Along with the angels and pillow, I found some cute decorated sleighs and gifts. These little treasures will be fun to tuck into my holiday displays and mix in with some of my other decorations. It is always nice to find handmade and vintage pieces that bring a little personality to the season. They may be small, but they certainly have a way of making a room feel more festive!

Finally, I have a few larger items to share with you. These are some wonderful base pieces that will be decorated and transformed into something with a little extra Christmas flair. I always enjoy finding items that have good bones and lots of possibilities. Sometimes all they need is a little imagination and a few festive touches!

The first is a shabby chic wooden window frame. I have some plans for this one that I will be sharing in another blog post, so stay tuned! I also found a great wooden lantern that will be a fun project to work on. A very sturdy rectangular woven basket came home with me, too, and I can think of so many possibilities for using it in my holiday decorating.

And then there is the moose! This last find is a metal sculpture of a moose, and I think he has all sorts of Christmas potential. Can’t you just envision him wearing a lovely arrangement of red ribbon, holly, and spruce around his neck? I think he is going to look wonderful all dressed up for the holidays. He may just become one of my favorite decorations this year!

Well, that’s it, Friends! These are some of the treasures I have collected throughout the year that will soon be making their way into my Christmas decor. It is always exciting to see how a few thrifted finds can be transformed or given a new purpose with a little creativity.

I hope this has inspired you to keep your eyes open during your own thrifting adventures. You never know what wonderful things might be waiting to come home with you! Wishing you lots of happy shopping trips as you gather ideas and treasures for your holiday decorating. And remember, Friends, the best finds aren’t always the ones you set out looking for. Sometimes they are the unexpected little surprises waiting on the shelf!