Christmas Project #4 : Word Cards

I picked up these cards from Paper Source awhile back when I began collecting things to use for holiday decorating. You could easily make these at home (they are 2 inches x 4 inches) and add them to a tree or wreath. I put small silver eyelets in each one with my crop-a-dile and hung them with small green ornament hooks.

Simon was all over these last night asking, "what's this word?" He took them all down and then put them all back up a couple of times. The one he knows by sight and heart already: joy.

And yes, I put up one of the trees already.  It's crazy, I know, but it sure is fun.

My plan is to have one fake tree in each of the following spaces: our bedroom, Simon's bedroom, and the dining room (that's where this one is). I am slowly but surely putting things out, trekking back and forth to the garage, rediscovering stuff in my bins, thinking + planning.

Simon and I have also been checking out local Goodwill's seeing what cool holiday stuff we can find: ornaments, fake trees, pictures of santas + holiday scenes that I am framing and putting up around the house. I found this old chalkboard there the other day and am thinking of different ways it can be used - right now it is on the porch next to the container of rosehips.

Creating Keepsakes has a new special issue out called 101 Hip, Handmade Gifts by Nicole LaRue. Tons of cool ideas inside. She also had some really great tags featured in the December issue - I am looking to make something along these lines for our gifts (love the simplicity of type + the idea to use elastic rather than ribbon):

And finally, a simple word of thanks today as we celebrate Veteran's Day here in America. Thank you to those who serve, who have served, and to the families who support those who serve.

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48 thoughts

  1. Lisa says…
    11/11/2007

    That's nice, I like the little card idea. There's alot you could do with that.

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  2. gabbe says…
    11/11/2007

    The little cards are so simple and beautiful!
    is your dining room tree a large one? would love to see more pictures of it.
    I too started getting bins and boxes out of the garage- what a happy feeling to open up the bins and begin to pull out our holiday treasures!
    I love this early burst of the Christmas spirit that YOU are directly responsible for spreading in our household- it's just wonderful. Thank you so much!

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  3. Aleida Franklin says…
    11/11/2007

    I just love your blog Ali. I get all sorts of inspiration. Thank you.

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  4. Ruthie says…
    11/11/2007

    I love the fact that you are starting so early and getting excited. Me too. I am halfway through my 7 Gypsies spinner in BG Figgy Pudding and will probably start decorating the house before Thanksgiving. The idea of letting the decorating and thankfulness and magic of the holidays from Thanksgiving to Christmas blend together is great. I'll be making Christmas decorations today... have you tried liquid glue on some chipboard you don't care the color of, then add glitter then add lots of Glossy Accent on top? It looks cool!

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  5. Jennifer says…
    11/11/2007

    I've used the Paper Source words on my little tree for the last two years because I love it so much. Simple and sweet. Bravo to you for being so on top of things! Enjoy!

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  6. Michelle B says…
    11/11/2007

    great ideas Ali! One question...are you making some of your gifts this year? If so can you share??

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  7. Bec says…
    11/11/2007

    Thanks for remembering us.
    Loving all the Christmas and Holiday things you are posting.
    Bec
    Proud Vet of the USAF Nurse Corps

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  8. Angi Smith says…
    11/11/2007

    How very special is it that Simon's first word to recognize on his own is JOY? He is such a joy to watch on his journey through your eyes.

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  9. Elizabeth says…
    11/11/2007

    i'm so glad i'm not the only one who puts up a tree as soon as possible. and i love the word card idea. now that i'm on bedrest though, i don't know if i'll be able to much decorating at all this season and THAT is almost worse than just laying here staring at the ceiling!

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  10. jenn says…
    11/11/2007

    cards are awesome! I want my tree up this week ;) so no your not crazy! lol

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  11. Melissa LaFavers says…
    11/11/2007

    Dude, it is so not crazy to start celebrating by putting up your trees early. I think it's cool, and it's you, what you're feeling right now. I say, go with it. No apologies. Hey, that's what you'd tell us, am I wrong? : )
    M.

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  12. Pam says…
    11/11/2007

    You have really gotten me into the mood of creating some holiday fun!
    This weekend I made a fun christmas collage picture using your idea from last year. I was sorta stressing about finding the "right" tree to go into one of the little squares----then---
    I could just hear you in my head saying "Go with it--make it fun, don't get all bent out of shape over one little tree!"
    Thank you ,Alie,for your great ideas and for reminding us to enjoy the process!

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  13. Pam says…
    11/11/2007

    oops--sorry I misspelled your name!

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  14. mary says…
    11/11/2007

    so love your holiday spirit - you've inspired me to put up my tree in November and my girls are amazed (and thankful)! thank you so much for the glimpse into your life and the constant inspiration!

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  15. bruinbr says…
    11/11/2007

    i love that you have multiple trees (& that one is already decorated and up!) love your holiday spirit!

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  16. Teresa says…
    11/11/2007

    I love the idea with the words!!!

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  17. kaylea says…
    11/11/2007

    Fabulous idea! I love it....
    I may not be able to put everything up in my new apartment because it's so small.....but I could put my tiny tree up, with word cards and glitter!
    Yea! Great idea
    I'm going to use your advent idea with the students at church....
    Thanks Ali!
    K

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  18. Care says…
    11/11/2007

    You are getting me all excited!! With school finals, work busy season, and Vietnam trip, I have already conceded that I cannot go "all out" this holiday season -- i.e., drag out the ten foot tree, etc! But this has reinforced that I can do a few simple, special, meaningful things! Love ya -

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  19. Jennifer says…
    11/11/2007

    Everything looks so beautiful.
    My daughter has had a small Christmas tree in her room for the last several years. It's a small artifical one, but she chooses the decorations for it and puts it where ever she wants. Last year we hit the jackpot and she found a tree, ornaments and star for the top in the One Spot at our local Target.
    And every year on Christmas Eve, after she's gone to bed, "Santa" sneaks into her room and leaves her one gift under her tree to open by herself while she is in bed. That makes it fun and special for her.

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  20. Michelle Jacquemet says…
    11/11/2007

    You are such an inspiring person. Thank you for blogging so frequently. I thought it was about time I leave a comment. I really like your advent boxes. When I have children I would love to do that for them. Have a great day!

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  21. Terri Paulson-Sasaki says…
    11/11/2007

    I love Christmas. I have a tree in every room of the house. Each of my 4 boys had their own tree and now the grandaughters have theirs. The kids trees are on timers, so when they would go to sleep the lights were still on. Only, 1 left at home now and he has 2 trees all to himself. I put up 15 trees each year. Love it. Thanks for all the great ideas, I can't wait to get started. Keep the ideas coming.

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  22. Jodie Winters says…
    11/11/2007

    Hey Ali,
    Love the word cards-so simple and yet so effective, Im so excited you have a tree up! I don't feel so crazy now! I completed all mine yesterday, I have three smallish tree's, about 4 foot tall, and all my decorations are up, but will wait a little longer for our main tree. I encourage everyone to do it-It really creates lots of excitement, and we get to enjoy it all for a little longer without rushing through Christmas, the new year will come soon enough, lets make the most of the rest of the year we have, I promise everyone they will have a much more relaxed Christmas if they decorate now!

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  23. Jane Schneider says…
    11/11/2007

    Ali - right now you are like an inspiration explosion or hurricane - inspiration with great magnitude and power. I sure hope some of it lands on me soon. I'll keep looking - it all is so beautiful.

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  24. Lanne says…
    11/11/2007

    Ali - Loving the idea of words in an advent calendar.. we are implementing this one!
    Last year the lady at our fav educational toy store was telling me that elves decorate her house... her family put all of their decorations in a basket, and place at the front door with a letter for santa. The elves come and decorate whilst everyone is asleep and take santas letters back with them. This has added a whole new depth of magic to our christmas. (and they elves happily decorate ;)

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  25. Mama Karen says…
    11/11/2007

    I love that you have your tree up. My favorite part of CHristmas is our family advent dinner. Before everyone gets busy, we decorate the whole house ( yes, multiple trees) and have a candlelight dinner on the first Sunday of Advent. We celebrate the true spirit of the seaon and our family, and it is so not materialistic, just loving.

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