Their warmth makes wood desirable and comforting in winter. As you can see, wood textures are hot this Holiday. With beautiful items like those, there are no reasons to complain.

+ The Nature+Holiday Ornaments by Los Angeles-based artist Karen Kimmel are absolutely stunning. Each wood veneer and colored acrylic laser cut disc comes in a hand silk-screened muslin sack laced with an ultra suede tie. You also get a cardboard letterpress card with a message by the artist. The ornament costs between $18 and $40 each at A+R. It makes a wonderful hostess gift. Via Happy Mundane

+ Bugs and Fishes by Lupin shows us how to wrap a Faux Bois Parcel. This craft project relies on inexpensive supplies. Via Creature Comforts.

+ Who can resist the Pumpkin and Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches? Certainly not me. I give her a big thumb up for the presentation. Get the recipe on Cannelle et Vanille.

+ I spot the wooden star ornament on the December 2008 issue of Living etc. It is made by PTMD. Sadly, I cannot tell you where to find it.

+ Finally, I am in love with these Christmas stockings. They look magnificent hanging on the rustic mantel. Via Design Hole.

I own at few ceramic pieces made by Basma Osama of Ceramik B. I bought them last year at the Souk@Sat, another great event in Montreal to buy unique handmade Holiday gifts. Update: Janick of Neawear told me that Ceramik B. will again be at the Souk this year.

This year, Ceramik B. will be at the Salon des Metiers dArt du Quebec at Place Bonaventure from December 5th to 21st, 2008. I will go as I wish to add new service bowls to my collection. Basma's pieces have a unique organic design that functions well. They make a statement on your table.

Custom-made is available

Ceramic pieces can be tailored to your receptions. Custom pieces are available for corporate gifts. The pieces can be personalized by adapting them to specific functions, by affixing a logo, or a choice of textures or motifs.

With Ceramic B. tableware, you cannot go wrong. They will please anyone on your list with the most discriminating taste. Her studio is not open to the public. Do not miss this opportunity to have a chance to meet her.

SOURCING:
+ Ceramik B.
+ Where to buy Ceramik B.

It is popular with mid-century home owners. You can dig originals on ebay and craighlist or buy a brand new Classic Aluminum Christmas Tree from New-York retailer Hammacher Schlemmer.

The appeal of using aluminum for a Christmas tree rests in its reflective quality. The downside is that putting Christmas lights in the tree would be too dangerous. This is why the color wheel was invented. A more elegant option is a single color lamp instead of the 4-color wheel.

If you are not convinced yet, I included more decorated trees.

The left tree was found on Flickr on the Aluminum Christmas trees pool. Jenn Ski paid $25 on Craigslist for a the 6-foot silver tree last summer. Jenn dreams of a pink aluminum tree like the one on the right. Any colors other than silver are hard to find and can be expensive.

Before you buy any trees, verify the width and the height to make sure it will fit your apartment.

Brand New Aluminum Christmas Trees

Hammacher Schlemmer sells the aluminum Christmas tree made popular in the 1950s in 5-foot and 7-foot. They are made of high-quality, long-lasting aluminum foil branches that insert into a hardwood trunk. Their easy-to-assemble tree is made with non-corrosive high-quality aluminum foil branches that will long outlast the brittle tinsel of lesser trees.

Yuletide Expressions produces slim, wide and standard width aluminum Christmas trees from 4 to 9 foot. A Premium version with 30% more branches is available. They cost about the same as the trees at Hammacher Schlemmer. What is great about Yuletide Expressions is that they sell the parts if you broke your tree.

The Aluminum Christmas trees is not for everyone and for every dcor. But if you do, they are nice options out there.

SOURCING:
+ 5 Foot Classic Aluminum Christmas Tree - $399.95 USD at Hammacher Schlemmer
+ Yuletide Expressions
+ I.am.dancing aluminum Christmas tree
+ NWW Holiday 2008 tree
+ Via Arren Williams and Jenn Ski

If you are looking for a special gifts for a wedding or to give to your man this Holiday, I suggest sometimes pretty amazing. Who knows that your genetic codes can be so beautiful?

Your DNA transforms into artwork canvas. From your genetic code, they will create a unique piece of art. This art form is a wonderful way to immortalize the essence of someone dear to you.

DNA 11 was launched in 2005 in Ottawa. There was a CSI:NY episode where the DNA artwork was part of the storyline. It is a cool way to bring a part of yourself into your house.

Select between the DNA portraits, the FingerPrint Portraits or the pop-art style of the Kiss Portraits. You can customize the background to for your dcor.

SOURCING:
+ DNA Portraits Starting at $389 CAD, mini DNA portraits at $187 CAD
+ FingerPrint Portraits starting at $190 CAD
+ Kiss Portraits Starting at $289 CAD

I like to give me challenge when I create a mood board. This time, I decided to design a baby shower out of Donna Hays styled pictures. I figured out that since she has a signature look I could pick a mix match of her pictures to assemble one cohesive theme.

My starting points were the repurposed glass jars transformed in hanging flower vases and the bundled bottles. You can repeat one fabric and if you are a larger group, alternate two fabrics.

To drink, serve real mint tea and flavored water in cute pitchers.

The ice cream tower should be a hit, so make sure to prepare in advance the refills. Replace the cupcakes by cups of ice cream and sorbets served in a tiered cake stand. Use egg cups and Moroccan tea glasses to serve the ice cream.

You can add a thank you tag to the take-away cookie treats.

SOURCING:
+ Selections of Moroccan tea glasses - $24 to $32 USD for 6-pack