It happens to all of us – the tree isn’t big enough to hold all our cherished ornaments, or you want the tree in the magazines instead of the one decorated with 10-year-old kindergarten noodle art, or maybe this year you don’t have a tree at all.  But what to do with those cherished memories?  It’s a great time to think outside the Christmas tree!  Here are a few tips I’ve used myself:

Tip 1: The Bowl

Bowls are a gorgeous way of showcasing beloved ornaments.  Just pick a pretty bowl and fill it up!  Depending on your decor, you can add greenery, pinecones, or other items to round out the look.  Place your finished bowl in the center of the dining room table, work it into a coffee table display, or make it part of a larger vignette.  This is also an excellent option for ornaments that are damaged or too fragile to risk on the tree!   PRO TIP: To make sure each ornament can be viewed and enjoyed, fill the base of the bowl with crumpled packing paper and top with moss, felt, or greenery to “boost” your ornaments up to the top.

Tip 2: Glass Jars

Ornaments are STUNNING behind glass!  You can pile ornaments in large vases, big apothecary jars, or giant cylinders, or use small jars and bottles to showcase a single special bauble.  Grouped together, glass containers are so festive with mini Christmas trees, reindeer, nutcrackers, and other Christmas decor.  Such a pretty display!  PRO TIP: To make sure your ornaments are on the edges of the containers, give each one a “core” before filling.  Anything pillar-like will work, like Pringles cans or cardboard paper towel rolls.  Just give them a quick cover with whatever wrapping paper will blend with the ornaments.  You can also use tinfoil, which will help reflect light!

Tip 3: Hang them Up

No tree?  Ornaments can be hung on garlands, wreaths, chandeliers, in the window, or even on the rack of taxidermy hunting prizes (my husband’s elk has been festooned on numerous occasions!).  Ornaments can be hung from anything!  PRO TIP: One of my favorite ways to showcase small and delicate ornaments is on a bare branch in a cylinder vase.  They can get lost on a tree, but they stand out beautifully this way!

Bonus Tip: Need to show off a single ornament?  Pop it in a wine glass!  You can either use the glass as a pedestal or turn it upside down and use it as a candlestick.  It’s a great look!