Christmas has always been my favorite season, but this year more so than ever. Creating magical vibes for my twins, Juliet and Jagger, seeing the wonder and joy in their eyes, keeps me inspired. Is there anything better? I started collecting Department 56’s North Pole series village houses a few years ago, and adding a new house or two every year has become a family tradition. We all look forward to setting up “Christmas Town” and creating little backstories for all the villagers. The greatest reward at the end of the day is sitting by the lights of the little homes, shops, and lampposts, just drinking in the Christmas magic (and some hot chocolate obviously). This year’s newest additions are the Dairy Queen and Eggnog Pub, something that’s been on my wish list for years. Even though it’s discontinued, I was able to score one on eBay.
Being a child of the ‘70s and ‘80s, most of my décor are vintage keepsakes from my childhood. My incredible mom saved a lot of my art and Christmas tchotchkes I would bring home from school as homemade gifts. I like to sprinkle those around the house. They bring back so many memories for me, and my twins love to see what I made when I was their age. I adore the retro hues of those pieces. I’ve found that they pop even more when I mix them in with new Jonathan Adler ornaments. The white ceramic complements my colorful vintage pieces for a perfect modern-vintage vibe.
I also became obsessed with bubble lights this season. If you also find yourself pining for that magical vintage Christmas vibe, you can find them at Ace Hardware.
This year (hands down) called for a little extra joy, so I’m not ashamed to admit there’s a tree in every room of my house. The kids love having their own little tree, with their very own ornament collection right beside their bed, and I like to think it helps them drift off to sleep with Christmas magic on their minds and in their hearts.
As you can tell by now, I think the best Christmas décor comes with special memories. Memories of loved ones are even more poignant, and one of my most treasured pieces is this framed Christmas tree made from jewelry scraps on red velvet. My grandfather created this in the ‘80s, and my grandmother gave it to me just this year. It’s the first thing we see when we enter the house, always welcoming us home.
As long as we’re riding this retro vibe, an easy and fun DIY to do with the kids is tie-dye ornaments. You can do this Christmas day as a fun family activity, and you can save for next year’s tree. They are beautiful and full of colorful cheer, with the added bonus of making new holiday memories and traditions.
SUPPLIES: Acrylic paint and clear glass bulbs
STEP 1: Remove the top of the glass bulb, select color of your choice, and squeeze a good amount into the middle of the ornament.
Step 2: Swirl paint around—you can shake it or turn it to get the pattern you desire.
Step 3: Place the top of the ornament back on and let dry for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the amount of paint you use inside of the ornament.
Save and hang on your 2021 (and beyond) trees!
Veronique Vicari Barnes is a mother of twins, an actor, and the founder and creative director of Ice Cream Castles, a story-based children’s clothing line. She co-owns Rookie of the Gear, a vintage T-shirt line, with her husband Garrett. (They even have vintage Christmas tees right now!)
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