Rex & Regina’s Blog

I popped into Anthropologie yesterday looking for some Christmas gifts. No luck on the gifts, but I did fall in love with their display in the front of the store featuring playing cards as holiday decor.

Punched cards were used as garland, gift tags, and even sewn together as a runner. So clever — and inexpensive to re-create at home!

playing card garland draped across the "fireplace"

garland adorns the tree

playing cards cut into circles are sewn together with red thread to make a simple garland

a playing card accompanies a "to/from" gift tag and red bow -- great for topping a present

playing cards sewn together to make a runner

Ornaments on our tree

Music is an integral part of any celebration. As family and friends gather in your home this holiday season to celebrate the wonder of Christmas or the magic of the new year, tap into some festive tunes — classic and contemporary alike. Here’s a sampling of what I am listening to this Christmas season:

White Christmas, Frank Sinatra
Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, Joshua James
Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming), Over the Rhine
I Celebrate the Day, Relient K
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Pretenders
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Tony Bennett & Antonia Bennett
Gabriel’s Message, Sting
Sleigh Ride, Ella Fitzgerald
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Maybe Next Year, Meiko
No Christmas for Me, Zee Avi
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings, Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
Little Drummer Boy, Jars of Clay
Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Bruce Springsteen
We Three Kings, Sufjan Stevens

Wreaths are a beautiful way to decorate one’s home for Christmas. There are plenty of store-bought options out there, but why not try to create one yourself, customizing it to your home and decor? Click on the photos below for DIY instructions on how to make each lovely, festive wreath!

pom pom wreath, via twig & thistle

jingle bell wreath via Martha Stewart

moss wreath, via Martha Stewart

cedar wreath chandelier, via Martha Stewart

ornament wreath, via Better Homes & Gardens

It’s funny — I love receiving gift certificates (what’s not to love about free money to spend at a store or place I love?) but I always feel like such a gift-giving failure if I give a gift certificate.

If you’ve been as reluctant to give a gift-certificate like I am, these DC-area services may change your mind.  Unique, tailored to the individual, and thoughtful, I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t be jumping for joy if they unwrapped one of these this holiday season.

Interior Design — Owner Malena Kaplan of One Pretty House Interiors offers gift certificates for interior decorating, interior redesign, and personal shopping services. What a great gift for a newlywed, someone who just moved into a new home, or a friend who is struggling to decorate their home!

Image Consulting — Give the gift of style with a gift certificate for personal image and fashion consulting. Styleateur offers a variety of services that help clients project their best image.

Art Classes — Is there an art lover or artist on your list? Help them hone their craft at The Corcoran Gallery of Art. The Gallery has a wonderful set of course offerings from sculpture to printmaking to art education.

Local Getaway — Is there someone on your list that needs a weekend getaway? Stone Manor Country Club just north of Frederick, Maryland is the perfect escape. Nestled in the countryside, this charming B&B offers peace and tranquility to all its guests.

Cooking Classes — What gourmand would not love the gift of culinary education? Classes offered at L’Acdemie de Cuisine or Culinaerie would be a wonderful treat for any home cook.

Personal Fitness — Just in time for the new year, one-on-one personal fitness classes are are perfect gift for anyone on your list — from health nut to couch potato! Fit One Studio in Alexandria offers some great options for fitness training gift certificates.

Entertaining Consulting — I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Rex & Regina offers gift certificates, also!  They are perfect for newlyweds who are just beginning to entertain, veteran entertainers who want to know the latest trends in entertaining, or anyone who wants to take their at-home hospitality to another level.