It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We know, we’ve seen it too. Christmas is already making an appearance in the big box stores like Costco. It may seem offensive to you, gentle reader, but as retailers we get it. We’ve already begun ordering for Christmas just to ensure we get what we want to bring to you before the holidays begin, and we are already busily treasure hunting for priceless vintage ornaments. However, something occurred to me on the weekend that I wanted to share with you.

If you’re looking for a new idea for a colour scheme or want to try something fresh and different this year that won’t break the bank I may have something for you. Whether or not you live in a snowy winter wonderland shouldn’t matter. Snow and Christmas just go together so why not roll with it (I’m speaking to you too my Vancouver compatriots).

Every few years Martha Stewart runs the same article while featuring a slightly different accompanying photo to update the article. One such article comes to mind that she has run at different times during the winter season. In this particular piece, Martha’s team cleverly sewed little white woolly pompoms to scarves, sweaters, etc. These little white pompoms always make me think of snow balls which makes me think of winter which makes me think of Christmas which led to this moment of utter genius, or madness.

We often encounter milk glass vessels and white hobnail vases and white hobnail lamps, etc. in our travels. I’m sure you or your mom has at least one piece stashed somewhere. Since there was a proliferation of them, they don’t seem to be as prized any more as we think they should be. Well, in our view they don’t need to be relegated strictly to the cottage.




The colour of white is associated with purity and cleanliness. It’s crisp and fresh and clean. Doesn’t a blanket of fresh white snow make all things in the world seem okay? Decorative milk glass or white glass trays and embossed dishes would be a nice fresh departure from the usual fare of red, green, silver, gold, santa servers we see everywhere at Christmas. And doesn’t the pattern of hobnail conjure up images of stacks of snowballs just waiting for a snowball fight?
As you plan your Christmas table picture a simple row of white hobnail vases with a single poinsettia in each running down the middle of the table. Think of switching out your regular house-hold lamp with a vintage hobnail lamp upcycled with a modern shade. Dark chocolate truffles would really pop on a sparkling embossed white dish.

Sew little white woollen pompoms to the edge of a pristine white tablecloth. Switch out the crystals on a vintage chandelier with a single white woolly pompom. String them together for garlands. Mix up the sizes. You can take this idea as far as you dare but be warned, if this idea appeals to you you’ll need to plan ahead and start sourcing your hobnail now before everyone beats you to it and dash off to Micheal’s for your pompoms, or get your kids busy whipping them up now on those rainy days when they’re climbing the walls. The key is to keep it simple and understated.

Once your dream of a white Christmas has been realized you can tuck away your hobnail and milk glass for a few months and then bring a couple of pieces back out in the spring to freshen things up. Just leave the woolly pompoms in cold storage…


Miss P