Great idea!

No photos, but one year I made matching red pistachio topiaries for the mantle. Also made pistachio trees for friends-think I got the idea from Martha Stewart, she made wreaths.

Very easy:
Red pistachios
Styrofoam spheres or cones
Grape vine stems
Pots
Hot glue gun
Fake or real yews
Red or green bows

Just glue the nuts in a symetrical manner around the shape.

I thought they were pretty...I tossed them after wards,
didn't want to draw mice!

Di

Bumping for more inspiration!

Dried citrus slices are beautiful.
Toss in a potpourri bowl or hang on the tree.

Popcorn balls....sort of.
Use any recipe, but color red or green and press into metal cookie cutters to make shapes. Green is nice with red hot candies and pressed to make a tree. Fun stocking stuffers too.
Can also use rice krispy recipe.

Cranberry Garlands
Dried apple wreaths
Giant Gingerbread People
Clove-studded oranges, lemons or limes
Cinnamon stick bundles tucked in with pine cones and greens.

Still thinking.....

Deanna

Many years ago, I saw a dried citrus decorated tree in Martha Stewart Living. It was so pretty. It was the year our DS was getting married in mid-December & we were having a housefull of out-of-state guests for a week. I wanted our 1848 house to look very New England(y) for our very western family & citrus has a tradition (along w/pineapple) as being a sign of New England hospitality. I dried dozens of orange, lemon, grapefruit, & lime slices. Oh, it was beeeeautiful! At night with clear lights it looked like stained glass.

About a week before the wedding I started noticing little gnats flying here & there. Three days before the wedding they were not only here & there...they were everywhere. Yep, my beautiful citrus slices were the culprit. DH still teases me every time he hears Martha's name. We had to redecorate the tree and spray for bugs. :( Now, I just put a variety of citrus in a clear glass bowl with battery operated mini-lights winding & hidden throughout. ;)

I've had good luck with the cinnamon/applesauce mixture that you mold in cookie cutters with a straw punched through for hanging.

I like to make dried apple faces but those don't keep either. By the time they've dried enough to look cool they are also rotting. Another :(

Popcorn/dried apple slices work very well but no cranberries...they also get gushy.

I also fill bowls with whole inshell nuts & mix with winterberries/evergreens. Very pretty.

Mostly, I go outside & gather bits/pieces from the garden.

/tricia

bumping for more ideas

THansk everyone!

I have a large long/oval shallow handmade wooden bowl that I fill with assorted fruit,.... oranges, lemons, some clove studded, apples (mine are realistic fake ones) and grapefruit that have the middle hollowed out with a votive candle, in a holder, stuck into the "cavity". Since my bowl is quite large I use 3 grapefruit. Stick some sprigs of fresh greenery here and there. I, usually, only light the candles when I have people in. The grapefruit will stay fresh for a good while and it's easy to change them out when need be. This is a good decoration for use, Thanksgiving through Christmas.

jude