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    Home » Holidays » Christmas

    A Gardener's Christmas

    By: Jane · Updated: 20 Jan, '18 · This post may contain affiliate links · 37 Comments

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    I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a quiet, but good one with just Leo, my mom, and me. So after the big meal, I started decorating for Christmas. This year's theme is "A Gardener's Christmas."

    A gardener's christmas
    Gardening Christmas Tree Theme

    Our mantle on full display, with Christmas colors, ribbons, decorations all following our Christmas garden theme.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads
    Gardening Christmas Mantle

    Ever since Leo and I started our garden five years ago, we've become known locally as "The People with the Garden." And I'll have to say that when we started it, that we never would have thought that it would give us so much satisfaction and pleasure. It is so much more that just growing most of our own food-it has become a way of life. So to celebrate the joy we get from gardening, I decided to decorate our living room with a gardening theme in the traditional colors of red and green.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    On top of the mantel, I've used a red and white checked bow along with a watering can garland with lots of Leyland and Mophead cypress from the yard.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    I left up the green shutters that I put on the mantel this summer and added 2 larger watering cans and some amaryllis flowers.  And shovels! Who can garden without shovels?

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    The amaryllis is a classic winter blossom that is associated with  Christmas.  This one is an artificial one since I knew a real one would never last through the holidays! The beautiful red color looks so festive especially when tied with a red gingham ribbon!

    Watering can garland | cottage at the crossroads

    The watering can garland is made from patio lights that I found online. 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    The shovels were handpainted by my friend Marti Dunn. 

    Handpainted shovel | cottage at the crossroads

    Here's a closeup of the wheelbarrows and trees that she painted. Didn't she do a great job? 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    Instead of hanging stocking this year, we hung some gardening boots which I adorned with vintage doilies and greenery.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    Hope Santa doesn't get mistaken and put these on when he's here!

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    To the left of the fireplace is our vintage wheelbarrow that we found at the auction. I asked the man that we bought it from where he had obtained it and he said that he bought it at a farm auction in Lancaster, South Carolina. He said he was pretty sure it was made by the Amish.  I'm in LOVE with the wheelbarrow! Lucy is in LOVE with her naptime!

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    I'm pretty sure she's worn out from digging holes in the garden earlier today. It was such a pretty day today and Leo worked out in the garden taking up the landscaping fabric and straw. You know, there's no rest for the gardener since there's always something that needs to be done. 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    I'm calling our tree the "SOW-HOE-GROW" tree. It's a bit of a tongue twister. Go ahead and say it 3 times!

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    The tree is adorned with ornaments that I made with seed catalog and seed packet artwork from the late 1800s.  And do you see the little red wheelbarrow? I found those in the dollhouse furniture section of Hobby Lobby.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    And there are some little tool ornaments on the tree such as this hoe. 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    The tree topper was made from some vintage gardening tools that I already had. 

    Seed box christmas tree stand cover | cottage at the crossroads

    And to cover the tree stand, Leo made a box for me and I painted it to look like an old seed box. 

    Rascal under the tree | cottage at the crossroads

    Rascal thinks that we put the box under the tree just for him! 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    The wheelbarrow will hold the gifts this year.

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    Leo didn't quite understand why I wrapped one gift in brown craft paper today! 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    To the right of the fireplace is my new Santa print! 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    He's a gardening Santa! 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    But it looks like his elves do all the real work! 

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    Underneath the print I created a display using a basket filled with veggies, ivy, and cabbages from our garden. I bet you've never thought about using cabbages as Christmas decorations, have you? Hmmm, I didn't think so, but aren't they beautiful?

    A gardener's christmas | cottage at the crossroads

    I thought they were so pretty that I put one in my old dough bowl along with some pine cones that I painted red.  Yes, I guess you could say that gardening has become a bit of an obsession for us.

    Gardening mugs | cottage at the crossroads

    So much so that we are now drinking our coffee from our new gardening mugs! Can you guess who's the head gardener?

    As soon as Christmas wraps up (haha), I'll pack everything up and start planning my garden, ordering seeds, and reviewing my past garden journal.

    More Christmas

    • Gingerbread tree square
      Gingerbread Decorations in our Mudroom
    • Gingerbread tiered tray3 1
      Gingerbread Tiered Tray
    • Gingerbread rag garland square
      DIY Gingerbread Rag Garland
    • Wooden snowglobe ornament square
      Wooden Snow Globe Ornament

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    1. Emily @ Two Purple Couches

      December 07, 2014 at 12:07 am

      WOW!!!!!!! This is definitely the most clever Christmas decor I've seen! I cannot believe how perfect those cabbages look mixed in with pinecones and greenery! I never would've thought of that! Though I think my favorite detail is the pair of gardening boots! So perfect!

      Reply
    2. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

      December 06, 2014 at 2:25 am

      How cute have you decorated! Love your mantel... so many cute touches!

      Reply
    3. susie

      December 06, 2014 at 12:14 am

      Your home looks like a place I want to get invited to come and visit the wheelbarrow is fantastic and I love the seed tree. I had a kitchen once all done up in seed packs including my curtains oh I loved it but never thought of making a Christmas tree of it.And the dog and cat PURRFECT.Susie

      Reply
    4. Anne

      December 05, 2014 at 11:09 am

      Your tree is gorgeous!!!! Love it! And your mantle is so beautiful too! Sweet photos of your furry babies <3

      Reply
    5. martina

      December 05, 2014 at 8:10 am

      Jane I love love love your mantel...the whole area looks beautiful!! Love your adorable pup too...so sweet!!

      Reply
    6. [email protected] Designs

      December 04, 2014 at 11:28 pm

      Too darn cuuute!!!....Love all of your gardening details from the garden boots in lieu of stockings to the cabbage arrangements....love the wheelbarrow in the room...and of course the star of the show, Lucy the Wonder Dog....she is just tired of supervising the decorating...Definitely one of my favorite themed rooms this year Jane!!

      Reply
    7. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      December 04, 2014 at 9:47 pm

      Hoe Hoe Hoe! Santa is putting you and Leo on his nice list! Love the rain boots as stockings and your gardening touches! Such a fun, festive, creative home tour!

      Reply
    8. Robyn

      December 04, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      I love this.......especially the cabbages! Never thought of that!!! Your sweet fur baby by the fire place is priceless! Enjoy the season!

      Reply
    9. Liz @ Infuse With Liz

      December 04, 2014 at 9:52 am

      Just can't say enough about how cute and inspirational this theme it is! The wheel barrow is my favorite! Each detail is so cute! I can't believe you even cut the chicken wire to fit with the garland on the tree! I did a little garden theme in my kitchen window- this inspires me to post it!
      Thanks for sharing- your creativity is amazing!

      Reply
    10. Kimberly Jorgenson

      December 04, 2014 at 12:39 am

      This is the BEST! I also love my yard and gardening so this is so fun to me!! You guys did a fabulous job, thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
    11. Jean Windham

      December 03, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Jane, this is the absolute best Christmas decorations ever. I just love all of them especially the boots on the fire screen. The arrangement of vegetables from the garden are so pretty and the bread bowl too. I have to say you out did yourself. Leo did a great job on the seed box. the wheel barrow is to die for. I will be looking for the presents this year on Christmas Eve in the wheel barrow. Thanks for sharing your lovely home for Christmas. Jean

      Reply
    12. Wendy Johnson

      December 03, 2014 at 11:35 am

      what a creative and different way of decorating! I loved your wheelbarrow and shovels, your dog, the way you incorporated your love of life into it, well, everything!

      Reply
      • Catherine

        October 21, 2021 at 6:59 pm

        I have been Admiring your garden Christmas since last year and I am thrilled to see this Art Work of yours. Please help me accomplish this. My Boyfriend of 16 year's has been gardening 5 acre's every year. I would love to create this for him as much as I can. I need your word's of Artistic Wisdom. You are quite the Artist.

        Reply
        • Jane

          October 22, 2021 at 10:45 am

          Thanks Catherine, so grateful to hear this and appreciate your comment! I hope you find the inspiration to create your own Gardner's Christmas.

          Reply
    13. Leigh Anne

      December 03, 2014 at 10:05 am

      Oh goodness, this is all so adorable! You have really outdone yourself, completely stunning. I love the watering can garland and the kitty is cute too 😉

      Reply
    14. Ann

      December 03, 2014 at 9:09 am

      Oh my gosh I don't even know where to start! It's all so amazing. That watering can garland is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I went with a little tree too this year. I totally think they do the trick! Loved seeing everything.

      Reply
    15. Kathy Moreland

      December 03, 2014 at 9:05 am

      So unique, and very pretty! Great idea!!

      Reply
    16. Ren

      December 03, 2014 at 8:37 am

      Way to carry out a theme! And so cute and original. Love it all.

      Reply
    17. Dawn

      December 03, 2014 at 6:57 am

      Love the theme idea Jane and the garden boots are the perfect touch. It all looks garden good.

      Reply
    18. Mary

      December 03, 2014 at 6:15 am

      Oh Jain, I SOW love your garden theme for Christmas! I'm oohing and aahing over all your details from your adorable chicken wire ribbon adorned tree, WONDERFUL wheelbarrow to your wellies hung by the chimney with care! Love the painted shovels and gardener Santa print too 🙂

      Reply
    19. christmas party ideas

      December 03, 2014 at 5:22 am

      Beautiful,creative and amazing decoration idea for this Christmas.Thanks for sharing this so much nice idea with us.

      Reply
    20. Sherry Humphries

      December 02, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      Woowww, Jane. You should win an award of some kind for this. Fantastic job!

      Reply
    21. Mila

      December 02, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Your decor is absolutely stunning!
      I love all the gardening accents 🙂
      xx
      Mila

      Reply
    22. Stacey

      December 02, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Jane and Leo,

      My favorite Christmas decor ever! It's so bright, colorful, and really reflects you. I love it!

      Reply
    23. [email protected]

      December 02, 2014 at 7:55 pm

      How creative! I love your theme and how you used so many garden details in everything! Awesome job and I love all the details you put into everything!

      Reply
    24. Yvonne @ StoneGable

      December 02, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      Jane, this is the best decor I have seen this Christmas. It is so near and dear to my heart too. We have a little garden so I was ooooohing and awwwwwwing through the whole post. LOVE the tree!!! And I think cabbage makes gorgeous Christmas decor!!! Brilliant and creative, my friend!

      Reply
    25. The Refeathered Roost

      December 02, 2014 at 6:13 pm

      Most original I've seen in my blog browsing today. Love your attention to detail and creativity! So enjoyed this post.

      Reply
    26. [email protected]

      December 02, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      I love every single detail of your garden themed Christmas decor. The painted shovels were the first thing that caught my eye. Your wheelbarrow is such an interesting piece and I love that it is Amish made. My parents had an old wheelbarrow with a metal wheel that I wish I had for my own decorating. (I'm pretty sure it's no longer around.) I look forward to seeing what else you have in store for December.

      Reply
    27. [email protected]

      December 02, 2014 at 11:57 am

      I can't even begin to describe how much I love every single detail-it's amazing!! Sharing on my FB page and pinning!

      Reply
    28. Kim

      December 02, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Wow, oh, wow, Jane and did I say WOW! Over the top creative one of a kind and cute!! Love it all and that is funny that your kitty found the box. We had a cat that would climb up in the tree and sleep. Fell over twice.

      Reply
    29. Sondra

      December 02, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Oh, Jane! It's fabulous! You had me at the tree. Every detail is so perfect... down to the gardening boots as stockings. I love the green of your shutters, the cabbages, the painted shovels... and your seed box- wow! Thanks for participating in the Home for the Holidays Tour!

      Reply
    30. Kathleen G

      December 02, 2014 at 8:52 am

      I just love your Gardner's theme Christmas! Your kitty looks comfy under the tree! And who doesn't like to snooze by the fireplace, Kathleen in Az

      Reply
    31. Sue in Texas

      December 02, 2014 at 8:26 am

      Most creative room I've seen this year! More ideas than I could take in. What a wonderful theme for a gardening family or a sunroom. Kudos!

      Reply
    32. Sandy

      December 02, 2014 at 8:06 am

      I love it. Best Christmas decorations yet. The cabbages are wonderful, and I love your Santa print. I was drawn to your blog by the garden.

      Reply
    33. Heather @ new house new home

      December 02, 2014 at 7:58 am

      Jane - I absolutely love everything about this room from the tree to the boots hanging on the fireplace screen to your gardening Santa!!!!

      Reply

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