Just Fake It

A few years ago I went to my mom's employee Christmas party with her. We happened to be in town so my husband and I offered to accompany her as my dad was working. Or maybe he was there and we just went too? Hmm, I'm finding my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details because now I am picturing my little brother there as well and possibly my daughter. Anyhow, I do have a point I promise!

The hostess had the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It was about twelve feet tall (was a real tree) and ornately decorated to perfection. The presents under the tree were perfectly wrapped too. Each one in it's own square box with sparkly paper and elaborate bows. The gifts all coordinated with the tree in classical harmony. It was so pretty. As I gazed upon the tree through the night, I realized how shabby my presents really did look under my own tree.

I became conscious of the fact that the gifts under my tree were mismatched in cheap paper with ugly shiny bows. We had recently gotten a new Christmas tree and I wanted my presents to not only match my tree but go along with the theme of the room as well.

I decided to start wrapping gifts in kraft paper with a country Christmas theme. The ornaments on my tree are all handcrafted for the most part so I knew kraft paper was the way to go. Plus I love how thick it is which makes wrapping easier for someone like me who is wrapping-impaired. :) I also desired to adorn my presents with fabric bows too but I knew that would be time consuming and expensive.

So this is what I do instead. I just fake it! I put my prettiest presents at the front of the tree. Then I use cheap plastic bows on the ones that go under and at the back of the tree. This way I have the illusion of having all these fancy gifts but without all the work.

It works for me and although my tree will never look like the one I saw at the party, it is now much more me and I like it that way. :)