Though I bought the book for the eye candy, the text oozes with the kind of can-do spirit that has made Etsy such a success for crafters and buyers alike:
"Use whatever is handy and seasonal around the house. Use fabric remnants, Christmas ribbon; cover shapely hatboxes; cut tin can lids into shapely flowers ... make paper trees from last year's gift paper. Tasteful designing need not entail buying numerous new items," reads part of the introduction to the section on decorating doorways.
I think I might have actually clapped a little while standing in the middle of the books aisle thinking how much fun I was going to have poring over the book.
I was not mistaken.
As someone who appreciates handmade and unique items, I got a wealth of ideas about new ways to reuse and recycle ordinary items around the house, since most pages contained detailed instructions on creating the featured decorations.
The Better Homes and Gardens Treasury of Christmas Ideas, published in 1966, provides a visual feast of Christmas decorating trends at the time, including ...
... handmade ornaments ...
... intricately patterned baubles ...
... fun-looking Christmas trees ...
... whimsical items typically destined for the recycling bin ...
... three-dimensional wall hangings and decorations ...
... colorful wreaths made out of paper, felt and other simple materials ...
... simple, but elegant handmade cards ...
... and a small city made out of empty ice cream cartons.
Other fun sections included a selection of poems, stories and carols, in addition to gifts to make for the little ones and ideas on how to wrap these gifts.
Not bad for a $1.50 book.
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1 comment:
Hi Minnie - What an absolutely gorgeous book, the illustrations are wonderful!! Love the price too :) Thanks so much for sharing! Merriest of Xmases to you!
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