For someone that normally has a holiday theme chosen well over 6 months before December, this year is very different for me. I didn’t really have a clear idea of what I wanted for 2016’s holiday theme until recently. Once the start of November happened, I decided I needed to choose a theme, quick! Every year, so much of my holiday planning is tied into my chosen theme and this year I started November with no plans!
Initial mugs always make great gifts on their own or filled with sweets or a succulent. This one from Terrain is a beauty!
What did I decide? A typography theme! At first, I thought I might call my theme “to the letter,”, but I really didn’t want to leave out the numbers! Then I thought maybe I should go with “by the numbers,“ but that would leave out the letters! Typography might not sound as cute, but it includes both numbers and letters!
The glasses I adore from Mark and Graham…perfect to use on my holiday table!
When I start thinking about all the possibilities using a typography theme, it really puts my creative spirit into overdrive! Here is some of my initial brainstorming. We shall see how it plays out!
Williams-Sonoma’s initial doormat makes a great gift and is right on theme!
Wrapping Ideas
- Initial key chain or luggage tag as package tag
- Book pages as wrapping
- Number gift tags using rubber stamps
- House numbers tied to packages
See what I mean? So much to work with! Remember the DIY wire gift tags I made into words a couple years back? Click here to see them.
4lovecustomgifts on Etsy makes wonderful custom initial or name signs like this one!
Gift Ideas
- Initial doormat
- Initial necklace
- House number or last name sign
- Sign using coordinates of a place with special meaning
- Personalized stationary
- Monogrammed items
- Initialed items
- Initial wine bottle stopper with bottle and opener
- Gifts with personalized zip codes
Initial necklaces may have been around for a while, but there are always some different choices to give as gifts. I love this one made by nest on Etsy!
Gift ideas are super easy to come up with using a typography theme! And I have made some gifts in the past that would work well…remember the zip code tray, the zip code pillows, or the embellished mason jar. (Click on the names to see the tutorials.)
Tabletop
- Number/letter sparklers
- Number glasses for desserts
- Initial cheese tray
This William-Sonoma cheese tray is just perfect for a typography themed Christmas!
These beautiful gold numbers and letters I found at Paper Source are sparklers, but I won’t actually be using them as sparklers in my holiday decor…I just love the way they look! Maybe I will spell out Joy and place them in a dessert or use them at individual place settings.
I also have tons of ideas for my holiday tabletop with my new theme! I really want to serve dessert in these really cool glasses with numbers that I found. My traditional holiday rosemary shortbreads can be cut with alphabet and/or number cookie cutters!
Home Décor/Tree
- Initial ornaments
- Ornaments made from book pages
- An initial wreath
If you would rather not make your own initial wreath, Ballard Designs has them ready made!
The tree and home décor is fun to think about. I will definitely make an initial wreath for my front door this year and ornaments will be fun to create…remember when I made the animals from book pages? Or, the Ikea heart with script? (Click on them to see the DIYs.) I am sure I can come up with some new ones! If you would rather purchase ornaments, there are always great initial ones at Anthropologie as well as some of the other stores during the holiday season.
A great initial ornament from Pottery Barn if you would rather purchase an initial ornament over making one.
Well, that is the start of holiday theme 2016! Do you use a theme for your holiday? I hope I inspired you to start thinking about one…what will you come up with for this year?
Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
Note: The product photos shown here were taken from the respective websites.