Wednesday, December 18, 2013

THE BEST CHRISTMAS 2014 YOU WILL GET THIS YEAR!



Yes, you read that right! The time to think about next year's Christmas decorations is this year!!!

It will save you lots of time and energy (and stress) if you just do a couple of things this year to prepare for next.

 I can almost read your thoughts... "I am way to ________________ (fill in the blank), I can hardly get through THIS Christmas.

That's why we should be thinking about next year... NOW!  Here's what I mean...






As I am ooohing and aaahing my way through my favorite blogs or perusing Pinterest I'm always finding tons and tons of inspiration. I come across so many wonderful ideas every day.

Like this brilliant and so festive Jingle Bell Strap from THE WOOD GRAIN COTTAGE.


Christmas Home Tour 2013 by The Wood Grain Cottage
The Wood Grain Cottage



I knew I would love to make this for my mudroom next year. I can probably get the jingle bells on sale after Christmas and tuck them away to make next year.

BUT...

 here's the problem... I will probably forget all about the great jingle bell strap or not know where I put the bells I bought to make it by next Christmas.

So, to help my poor memory I set up a "PRIVATE" board on Pinterest and called it "Christmas 2014".

If you don't know how to make a private Pinterest board... I have instructions at the end of this post.



DIY Jingle Bell Strap by The Wood Grain Cottage
THE WOOD GRAIN COTTAGE




Now you are probably asking, "Why do I need to create a private Christmas board when I already have a public Christmas board"?  Great question.

If I were to put an idea I want to use next Christmas in my regular Christmas board I would NEVER remember it! I want only the Christmas ideas in my private Christmas board that I'll probably be making next Christmas.

Also...

I created a private board so I can leave myself notes in the description box that I don't want the world to see!




THE REFEATHERED ROOST



Take this very creative clay pot Christmas tree for example.

We are having our patio redone this spring and I would love to put one of these garden pot Christmas trees on my new patio wall in 2014. So cute!

So, I pinned it to my private board "Christmas 2014" and wrote a few notes to myself ... like...

"get pots at garden center" . And... love the basket of greens next to them. And... find source for sugar pine cones to use with the clay pot Christmas tree!





THE REFEATHERED ROOST



Here are a few inspirations in my private Christmas 2014 board that I am going to work on for Christmas 2014...





SOURCE FROM PINTEREST

For the kitchen cabinets next year!






FRENCH LARKSPUR

I'm in the hunt for a little cart to go on one side of my kitchen island. I would love to put a farmhouse inspired arrangement there for Christmas... always love Paperwhites!!!!






Christmas 2013 Guest Room
HOUSEPITALITY DESIGNS

This would look great in the living room! I e-mailed Shirley to find out where she got it...  It's a Department 56 tree. So I wrote that down in the description box on Pinterest!






DIYChristmasSign thumb Outdoor Christmas Decorating: Sharpie Art Tree Sign http://findinghomeonline.com/outdoor-christmas-decorating-sharpie-art-tree-sign/
FINDING JOY


I love this project and the way Laura styled this! Something like this would look great on my side porch!






Twelve Dats of Christmas Trees {Sparkly Burlap Tutorial}
VINTAGE NEWS JUNKIE


I like all these trees... but look in the background. See the little tree on the black pedestal?  I love love love the little one made of pinecones (I think). I wrote copious notes about how I would make this on my Christmas 2014 Pinterest board.

Wouldn't a trio of these look adorable?





Delighful Door Knocker
HOME TRENDS



How easy is this sweet idea.  I wrote "Convert into a decoration to go on the door handles of the front door and bedrooms". So so easy and what a darling Christmas detail!







Beautiful, warm, winter-holiday decorating idea: scarves as table runners; wood risers for candles in hurricanes; red berries to pick up the scarf colors. Holiday warmth!
SWEET SOMETHING DESIGNS


This is my all time favorite Christmas table! I just may try to copy the whole thing next year! Christmas outdoor dining! This would work on my porch!



I'm sure you get the idea!
Get those inspiring images into a Pinterest board that is for your eyes only so you won't forget!!!!






These boots were inspired by wellies filled with cherry blossoms I found on Pinterest.








But look at the inspiration I have for next year!!!!




IMG_2037-001
HOME IS WHERE THE BOAT IS



Aren't these just adorable! I love the little nest tucked in the top of the wellies!!!! I just love everything Mary does!










I hope this idea inspires you to get a jump start on thinking about next year's Christmas decorations, while enjoying all the fabulous Christmas things you see on the blogs and Pinterst this year! I call it "RESEARCH"!




HOW TO SET UP A PRIVATE BOARD ON PINTEREST

For those of you who have a Pinterest site but don't know how to set up a Private Board...

In the top Pinterest header... way over to the right side you should see your name (or what you have named your Pinterest site). Click on it.  In the drop-down box that appears click on "YOUR PROFILE AND PINS". You should now be on a page that shows you all of your Pinterest Boards.

Scroll to the very bottom of the page and find an area called "Secret Boards" with a little lock icon.

Now all you do is click on a box that says "Create Your Own Boards" and another box will appear... fill in the info and you have your own "SECRET BOARD" that only you can see!

Use it to plan Christmas 2014!

Easy-Peasy!


One more thing... PLEASE, PLEASE , PLEASE try to find the correct source of each image you pin. Someone worked very hard so you can enjoy all this inspiration!



Click HERE to follow me on PINTEREST!

Remember to

Pin It



39 comments:

  1. OliveDecember 18, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    I have seen the PRIVATE Pinterest board on my page but gave it nary a thought. You are brilliant. Thank you for this. I am not one to plan ahead but the private notes are a really good idea. Merry Christmas Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paula@SweetPeaDecember 18, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    What a great idea! I haven't made a private board (yet) for Christmas ideas but I have pinned things I like. I also pinned the same flower pot tree idea with candles. Loved that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam - @diy Design FanaticDecember 18, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Great idea Yvonne. I think I have one private board, but never thought to make a private Christmas board, I've always made them public. I like the idea of adding notes and making it private. Hope your knees are getting better every day,,,still praying. <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    Ah, thank you, Yvonne, for pinning my clay pot Christmas tree to your board. I did just what you're doing this year and need to start a new one for next year. You better bet there was and will be more than one pin from Stone Gable!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    I envy you all of your creative juices, Yvonne. And I especially appreciate that you share all that creativity with us, your readers. You inspire me so much.Thanks for the brilliant idea. Have a blessed Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsDecember 18, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Did not know you could create a private board…thanks Yvonne and thanks for featuring my tree…Christmas has crept upon me so quickly this year and feel so unprepared….I am starting next year in June!!! :)..Have a wonderful day!!!…and thanks for all of the great ideas and inspiration!!!..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Andrea at Opulent CottageDecember 18, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    Such a good idea! I think I'll do this with all of my 2014 project ideas! Thank you Yvonne :) xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    Love this Idea how ever I am on Pinterest everyday just recently started reading Blogs and haven't
    figured out how to get ideas from Blog to my Pinterest.Could someone out there explain this to me.
    Thank You in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne @ StoneGableDecember 18, 2013 at 1:28 PM

      Send me an e-mail with this question and I'll answer it in detail. stonegable333@gmail.com

      Delete
  9. CatherineDecember 18, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Thanks for the great tip! I'm using a private 2014 Christmas board now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Simply Suzannes at HomeDecember 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    This is a wonderful idea . . . and works!

    I fell short of inspiration last year and set up an inspiration board before the New Year. And I was so happy that I did! When THIS December rolled around, I perused my Christmas 2013 inspiration board and found so many beautiful ideas. So easy!

    Another great holiday tip, Yvonne!
    Merry Christmas!
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  11. An Oasis in the DesertDecember 18, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    What a brilliant idea! I've seen those at the bottom of my Pinterest site, but never paid any attention to what they were. Thank you so much for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    I love your ideas, Yvonne...I've done that for years buying for next year (and get bargins) and love, love, love my secret boards - I started to notice when I pin special things/ideas certain people I know have beaten me to the punch and did what I was planning on doing spoiling the fun...so now with my secret boards only I can see them; but I love the idea to have it named Christmas 2014. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. KathysueDecember 18, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    I already have a 2014 board started. I also do a Secret Santa board (private) that I pin ideas for me and also gifts for the family. It has been a great help in Christmas shopping. Love the direction you are headed for next year. Etsy has a bunch of jingle bells and so does ebay. I did a jingle bell theme this year so I did a bunch of shopping around. Have fun pinning away!! Merry Christmas, hope your are mending well,
    xo Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsDecember 18, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    That's a great idea, Yvonne! I have found so many things I would like to do for next year {because there's just not enough time this year}. This is a good way to keep track of those things and some of them I'm sure I can work on during the year.

    ReplyDelete
  15. JudyDecember 18, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    My friend told me about Secret Boards a while back but I've yet to set mine up....I think it's a great idea to put things on there you don't want anyone else to know about so if I do get around to using the pin, everyone thinks I'm so talented and smart (ha!). I hope to find a link to those large sugar pine cones...I bought what I thought were some off ebay that ended up being no different than the ones in my front yard! What a bummer....

    I hope you are healing daily from your recent surgery....wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  16. hidden art of homemakingDecember 18, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    This is such a great idea! thanks for sharing this with us..
    Love, Mona

    ReplyDelete
  17. pam {simple details}December 18, 2013 at 3:49 PM

    I love my private boards and have been pinning for Christmas 2014 all season - it's such a relief knowing I already have a plan for next year! I had no idea people didn't know about them - great idea to share, Yvonne!

    ReplyDelete
  18. thistlewoodfarmDecember 18, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    You are so right! I am pinning away for next year and there's so much inspiration out there right now!

    Merry Christmas friend!
    karianne

    ReplyDelete
  19. The enchanted homeDecember 18, 2013 at 6:30 PM

    Whoa! This could take a few hours but looks sooo good. I cannot wait to slip into my pjs and come back and check all this inspiration out!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pamela GordonDecember 18, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    I've been pinning a lot of ideas this month but I like your idea of a secret board. Thanks for sharing your favourite picks and how to 'hide' them. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pam KesslerDecember 18, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Great idea! I have so much "stuff" on my regular Christmas board I can never find anything. I need to make better use of my private boards.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleDecember 18, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    You are right. Now is the best time to plan for next year.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Pinky at Designs by PinkyDecember 18, 2013 at 10:01 PM

    I love this idea! I saw the thing for the secret board but didn't know what I would do with it. NOW I know!!! I will start planning Christmas 2014!!!! I love everything Mary does too. I also LOVE that little tree made with clay pots!!! I may have to steal that too for the new patio:):) Do you mind??? Thanks for the idea, you are the best!!! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  24. pookieDecember 18, 2013 at 11:23 PM

    Thanks for this great idea. I just did it on pinterest. Love all your ideas. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  25. pookieDecember 18, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Thanks for this great idea. I just did it on pinterest. Love all your ideas. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. NicolaDecember 19, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    I love them. Especially the white tree and the boots.

    ReplyDelete
  27. JourneymartDecember 19, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    I love your ideas, and I especially appreciate that you share all that creativity with us, your readers.
    Click Here

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mrs. Laura LaneDecember 19, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Great idea. The red boots are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    THANK YOU so much for sharing my jingle bell strap! I'm honored that it made it to your secret board for 2014! Merry Christmas,sweet friend! And a Happy New Year to you as well! :)
    -Shayna
    www.TheWoodGrainCottage.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    THANK YOU so much for sharing my jingle bell strap! I'm honored that it made it to your secret board for 2014! Merry Christmas,sweet friend! And a Happy New Year to you as well! :)
    -Shayna
    www.TheWoodGrainCottage.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    THANK YOU so much for sharing my jingle bell strap! I'm honored that it made it to your secret board for 2014! Merry Christmas,sweet friend! And a Happy New Year to you as well! :)
    -Shayna
    www.TheWoodGrainCottage.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    THANK YOU so much for sharing my jingle bell strap! I'm honored that it made it to your secret board for 2014! Merry Christmas,sweet friend! And a Happy New Year to you as well! :)
    -Shayna
    www.TheWoodGrainCottage.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousDecember 20, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Yvonne, I did this exact thing last January for Christmas 2013 and it was a HUGE help for someone like me who tends to be somewhat disorganized. In addition to specific things I wanted to do for my holiday decor, I had reminders to purchase things like ribbon, boxwood wreaths, sugar pine cones, etc. EARLY while things were still available and it saved me so much time. Instead of running around at the last minute for things that were usually long gone, I had everything I needed for my holiday decorating ready to go. I had ideas for gifts, and parties and Christmas dinner recipes pinned there as well. This was easily the best use I have made of my Pinterest habit!
    Kaille

    ReplyDelete
  34. PatDecember 20, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Yvonne,
    Great tip, dear friend.
    This year I set up a file in my photos called Christmas Inspirational Photos 2013. . .
    for the very same purpose. When I shared this with a close friend, her reply was,
    "You already know what your color palette for next year's Christmas will be?" Priceless!!!
    Thanks for sharing. . .now if I could just figure out how to start a Pinterest, just sayin'!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  35. The Charm of HomeDecember 23, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    I use the private boards for things I am planning also. Great tip Yvonne.
    Merry Christmas!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  36. DebbiedoosDecember 29, 2013 at 6:03 PM

    This is a fantastic tip Yvonne! So much we can learn and so much to be inspired by. I only wish there was enough hours in the day to do it all! XO Happy New Year to you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. ddmilnerJanuary 9, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    I also use the secret boards for gift ideas throughout the year or parties I am planning so that my ideas are given away prior to the party.

    ReplyDelete