
I’m not handling the holidays very well this year. We have a pretty tree, stockings, gifts and unfortunately I don’t feel a drop of Christmas spirit. I’m hoping it will miraculously appear on Thursday at noon when my office officially closes until the new year. We’ll see. In the meantime I’m trying to force myself to feel EXCITED. Operation “Finding My Inner Christmas Queen” began today with a simple little craft that I found in Real Simple.
I originally wanted to have a themed tree this year, and in typical delusional-Erin-fashion, I thought I was going to string popcorn and cranberries and then festoon the tree with oodles of cinnamon stick ornaments, but that didn’t happen. Of course, before I decided that was way too much work and that I’d just use my usual hodgepodge of wacky mismatched ornaments, I had already purchased several feet of skinny red ribbon and a pound of cinnamon sticks.

In the end I figured I might as well try making a few. At first I used some clear craft glue to hold the cinnamon sticks together before tying them with ribbon, but then I realized that the bundles held just fine simply with a firmly secured bow. The living room smelled amazing while I made about a dozen of the cute little crafts. Then I hung them on the tree with hooks and felt accomplished. I’m thinking that next year I might make more and tie them with a variety of colored ribbons. What do you think? By the way, the cranberries in the picture are part of another craft I’m going to attempt later this week. Wish me luck!
Cute! Your tree must smell amazing!!
I completely understand being without the Christmas Spirit… I cured that by working at an Elementary School.
There is NOTHING like seeing Christmas through the eyes of children! I have esp. had a blast this year being in a KDG classroom and talking about how much I believe in Santa Claus.
Hopefully once you’re off work, you’ll start feeling the Christmas Spirit!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!
Erin, I totally understand the lack of Christmas spirit. I think a large part of my own grumpiness is coming from the fact that I don’t feel like the holidays actually start until I’m in Portland (OR) with my parents. I’m not leaving this year until the evening of the 22nd, so I’m not really going to have much in the way of anticipatory time. I’m really trying not to be so grumpy, but it’s hard to shake it off.
I bet your living room smells WONDERFUL!
I love this idea!
Stringing popcorn is really hard! You poke your fingers with the needle! And every other piece breaks! Or maybe it was just me!
I love love the cinnamon sticks.
jcb
What a fantastic idea! Every time I walk by the cinnamon brooms @ Whole Foods I resist the temptation to buy a whole batch and lay them around the house. This is a much more decorative and festive way to enjoy their gorgeous scent.
A lovely idea. I love the nostalgia about it, too. Plus, yes, it makes the house smell so nice that it’ll put anyone in a festive mood the minute they step through your front door.
Simple and elegant! I decorate with cinnamon sticks for a few years already. Try anis stars as well. Merry Christmas!
What an amazing idea! I am going to do this next year.
Maybe even paint them different colors
My husband passed away near Christmas in 2008. I still can’t seem to get into the Christmas. I think I will get a “small” tree and make these Cinnamon ornaments to put on it. It is a start and it will make the room smell really nice.