DIY Mini Felt Tree Banner and Our Cozy Holiday Updates

There are a few more holiday projects in progress (and some already crossed off the list), so let’s jump right in. Last year I picked up four 3-packs of white felt tree ornaments at Target during the post-Christmas markdowns. They were marked down to ten cents per set, so I ended up with a dozen mini felt trees for 40 cents. They were perfect for a casual banner that looks like hand-cut paper but is actually pre-cut felt—no cutting required, which felt like a small victory.

I grabbed a ribbon remnant from our gift-wrapping stash and laid it out on the floor to plan spacing. Each felt tree had a tiny gold hanging string, so I clipped those off before arranging them along the ribbon.

Next I used a handful of paperclips from the office drawer to attach the trees to the ribbon. You could sew them, use mini clothespins, or pick cute binder clips, but I wanted something quick, casual, and made from things we already had. There’s something sweet and effortless about white felt trees, navy ribbon, and little silver paperclips. If you prefer a fancier look, swap in tiny clothespins or decorative clips.

Behold—another mini tree!

Our tabletop tree is back. This little tree is a tradition—full of handmade ornaments and meaningful keepsakes. I tucked a gray pashmina under it for now, but a silver faux fur would look amazing as a base.

The ornament theme this year is simple: meaningful, handmade, and treasured. In Clara’s words, it’s full of our “special special favorites.” We packed the tree with ornaments we truly love—pieces from local craft fairs, thoughtful gifts from readers we met on tour, and souvenirs that bring back memories.

There are so many favorites: a Virginia ornament we picked up at a craft fair, a clay silhouette ornament with Clara’s baby profile made by a reader, and a felt ornament another reader made for us at a different tour stop. I love spotting familiar pieces like John’s tiny bike ornament and an old disco ball that’s been hanging around for years.

One of our favorites is a tiny moose ornament we bought on our honeymoon in Alaska—two newlyweds snuggling together. It’s one of those small, sentimental items that makes the tree feel personal and warm.

Another beloved piece is a burger ornament we bought a few years ago as a playful nod to our family’s sense of humor, plus a felt owl made by a reader. The whole tree is a charmingly mismatched collection of handcrafted treasures—antlers we made, spray-painted animals, glass bulbs filled with bright paint, preserved gingerbread cookies, and an old Empire State Building ornament that reminds us of the city where we met.

We also brought our new DIY chalkboard into the holiday setup. John faced his chalk-squeak fears and drew a Starbucks-style cup with a snowman. Dipping the chalk in a little water (a reader suggestion) helped produce brighter colors and less screech. I added some snowflakes, and Clara drew “a pretty rainbow for Santa.” The family that chalks together stays together.

This once bland corner now feels festive and jolly.

As for the little magnet ornaments I glued a while back, they’re holding up nicely and now hang alongside three holiday cards. Since we took that photo, three more cards arrived—always a mailbox delight for this card-loving family.

We also received a traditional German advent calendar from friends in Germany. It’s a lovely set of little envelopes and boxes with tiny treats—dolls, candy, stickers, and small surprises—and Clara has enjoyed opening one each day.

So that’s the latest on our holiday decorating: simple DIY garlands, a sentimental tabletop tree, meaningful handmade ornaments, and cozy corners filled with personal touches. Here’s where we stand on our holiday checklist:

• set up the big tree (done)
• get a live tabletop tree again (done)
• decorate the mantel, built-ins, and entryway console (done)
• hang our outside lights & decorate the front porch (still to do)
• shoot a holiday photo of Clara & Burger for our card (done)
• make or use an advent calendar for Clara (done)
• shop for and make gifts on our Christmas list (mostly done)

We still need to hang the exterior lights and finish some shopping and wrapping, but hopefully this weekend will do the trick. What’s left on your holiday to-do list? What have you already crossed off? Are you enjoying any small DIY projects like a tabletop tree or handmade garlands? Share your favorite festive ideas—there’s nothing like those little personal touches to make the season feel special.