Sleigh Ride

After a year of trying to catch up with life (broken leg in January, parathyroid surgery in July, huge undertaking for Lumagen at CEDIA in September), I was still behind on organization and not enough time for seasonal decor. To catch-up, I re-used the Bee Happy look for Spring and Summer, skipped the Fall decor (although I did decorate for fall at church), and I focused on Christmas.

This year’s theme feels very traditional with a color scheme of Red & Purple and a focus on deer, jingle bells, and gems. The flocked deer and velvet florals and ribbons give a luxurious feel to the theme. It could be called “Get Your Jingle On”, but I kept it more elegant with “Sleigh Ride”.

I started in the Dining Room by using alternating place settings of red or purple: Charger Plate, Crystal D’arque dinner and salad plates, and large water goblet & water glass. I layered purple and red napkins and used a beaded napkin ring. A long purple velvet runner flows down the table center and puddles onto the floor. Two large deer establish the center grouping. Sprays of purple velvet leaves intersperse with sleigh bells, large & small gems, various votives, cone trees, antlers, and smaller deer spilling down both sides of the table. Most of the ornaments were collected over a few years from Michaels and Hobby Lobby. The Raz jingle bells were found at various specialty shops on sale. Purple Velvet florals from FactoryDirectCraft.

Above the table, the arched window is draped with a 15′ Real Feel Norfolk garland. I used two strands of 20ft fairy lights to light the garland, and topped it with a large red velvet 4″ ribbon bow with a center purple velvet poinsettia and leaf sprays to each side. Below the garland, large sleigh bells dangle surrounded by gems and brass medallions.

On the Fireplace, another Norfolk garland asymmetrically drapes the top mantel. At the corner, a large red bow tops the sleigh bells dangling down the edge with gems and velvet leaves. Two strands of fairy lights cover the entire garland and arrangement. On the lower Mantel, more flocked deer, sleigh bells, cone trees, velvet leaves, and votives. Sleigh Ride Artwork fills the center of the scene.

To the side chests, cone trees and deer reflect in the mirrors. On the side table, another deer sits below a wreath and brass medallions topped with bows. In the opposite corner hangs a long purple ornament topped with a red bow and purple velvet poinsettia.

In the Foyer, it takes two 15′ Norfolk garland and three 20′ fairy lights to drape the bannister. Large purple velvet 4″ ribbon bows top large red gems and brass medallions. At the base of the stairs, a playful red deer stands with Santa and his tree. Behind on the chest sits a vase grouping with purple velvet leaves, a red flocked deer and large purple finial ornament sitting atop a red velvet poinsettia placemat. NOTE: I originally used the Mark Roberts red deer in the dining room for Peppermint Elves theme, and altered its look by removing the desserts and replacing with a wrapped present and red bows, and wrapping the antlers with purple velvet ribbon.

In the Living Room, I decided to save some time and energy by not setting up our traditional Dicken’s Village. Instead, I left the piano unadorned and splashed the room with the Sleigh Ride colors.

In the Kitchen and Great Room, the theme continues, ending with a flourish on the Christmas tree.

Creating The Christmas Tree

The topper is accomplished by first attaching lighted branches to the center trunk. Sprays of purple velvet leaves are added. I then tie to the front and center a red velvet bow made with 4″ ribbon, with only one large tail. The second tail is tied on separately for more placement control. I repeat this around the top with 4 bows. I place purple velvet poinsettias at the center of each bow and dangle large red and small purple gems below the bows. In front, a purple Bethlehem star is secured in place and later a medium sized red flocked deer is added. To create a focal point, I start by placing the large jingle bells and large gems with sprays of purple velvet leaves and antlers down the front center to echo the mantel treatment. I finish by placing purple ribbon tails in and out of all the items.

I combine a jingle bell spray with a purple poinsettia, red “leather” jingle bell door hanger (removing the greenery attached) and place the grouping in a balanced fashion around the mid and lower part of the tree. I later add a purple velvet bow for more definition and impact.

Other than the red deer of various sizes and the spinning red mirrored balls, I only use purple ornaments. I start by placing the spinner and largest ornaments, spreading them evenly around the tree and repeat this with each size and style of ornament. I make sure to place some ornaments deeper into the tree, and at the bottom are large purple balls to fill the larger spaces.

Other than the the topper and central focal point, I only used small purple gems around the tree. Presents are wrapped in alternating colors, ribbons, and gift tags.

In the Guest Bath, a few touches of the theme appear along with Michel Design Works”Santa’s Eve” soap and lotion.

We have already had guests in the home – I hope you like this Sleigh Ride theme as much as they did. I am looking forward to sharing the joy of the Christmas Season and this year’s theme with more friends and family throughout the month. Be sure to “like” and “follow” for more seasonal decor ideas to inspire you in the future!