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Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge

Today I am really excited to tell you about a fun little project I participated in with Pottery Barn – their holiday Mystery Box Challenge! Pottery Barn tapped five party/entertaining bloggers to create festive holiday decor using a box of their beautiful ornaments. The catch? The ornaments couldn’t be used on a tree and we had no idea what we were getting until the box arrive on our doorstep!

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

To get started, I scavenged a few loose pine tree boughs that I found on the curb outside my house. No, really. (Another man’s Christmas tree trash is a blogger’s treasure, in case you weren’t aware.) I then set to work decking out the stairway railing with pine and glittery ornaments. Meanwhile, birch candles, kraft paper and ornaments took up residence as a pretty holiday tablescape.

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

I attached the pine boughs along the length of the railing with jute twine that I simply tied in the back. Then it was time for pine cones and ornaments! (Stay tuned for a full DIY tutorial on the pine cone garland tomorrow!)

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

For the table, I lined the entire length with kraft paper to act as a runner. Basic white dinnerware, red candy-striped napkins and a centerpiece of birch candles, pine and a red vintage lantern set the stage. I love the idea of using ornaments to serve double duty as place cards and favors, so I placed an ornament at each place setting. I attached basic little shipping tags with twine and wrote each guest’s name on the front with a note on the back inviting them to take the ornament home to deck out their own tree.

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

I love the concept of finding unique and fun ways to work ornaments into your holiday decor in unexpected ways. Pottery Barn has an absolutely gorgeous selection of ornaments that are true keepsakes, and you can also find them basically everywhere this time of year for really affordable prices. Stock up and get creative! Fill big vases or apothecary jars for centerpieces, or hang them from fishing line as a fun backdrop behind a holiday buffet. The possibilities are seriously endless!

Pretty holiday decor | The Sweetest Occasion

It was so fun to work on this little project and to see what the other talented bloggers came up with using their mystery box of ornaments. I’d love to have you pop over to visit the official Mystery Box Challenge page on Pottery Barn’s facebook page and vote for my creation, should you feel so inclined. Voting will be open through December 20!

{Photos by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.}

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