DIY Victorian tree decorations

“I love to decorate with silver and white,” says DIY expert Pamela Macauley. “There's nothing better than a white Christmas at home in Canada, so I try to capture that feeling in England, decorating every room in the house, even the bathroom.” The designer uses a supply of antique and vintage trinkets she's culled from sources such as eBay and craft stores. “There are lots of lovely decorations in the shops now but I still like to make a few of my own,” she adds. With armfuls of bay, holly and ivy brought in from her garden, Macauley creates a holiday haven with lots of white fairy lights and seasonal ornaments in every nook and cranny. “Christmas should be magical,” she says emphatically.

Using German glass glitter for decorations adds sparkle, and a vintage look, with the glitter tarnishing over time because of the silver content. It's well worth searching out (and should be available at Putti in Toronto this holiday season).

To make our Victorian cones (shown above), you'll need:
White card
White crepe paper
White craft glue and brush
Silver tinsel strands
Florist wire
Silver ribbon
Shredded white paper

1. Make cones out of white card with sheet music photocopied onto it.

2. Cut two strips of crepe paper, each 1 3/4" x 24". Place one on top of the other and sew together down the middle with a loose stitch. Gather the crepe paper to a length that will fit around the top of cone. Glue in place with the stitching lined up just below the top of the cone. Apply some glue over the stitching and wrap with silver tinsel.

3. Make a handle out of an 8" piece of florist wire and bend to shape. Make a hole on each side of the top of the cone. Push 1/2" length of the wire through and fold up. Repeat on other side. Tie some silver ribbon in a bow on the top of the handle and fluff up the crepe paper ruffle.

4. Fill the cone to the brim with white shredded paper and some silver wrapped sweets.