Christmas-ish Rustic Tray

I say Christmas-ish because I know that I will use this tray year round. How I came about this tray was kind of funny. I was out in the shed and I had just gotten my table saw out. My friend was coming down to rip some wood for a project of her own. While I was waiting for her to get there I saw my pile of scrap wood over in the corner. I had many images floating around in my head of trays that I had looked at. There was the wood just sitting there and there I was with a saw in front of me. Can you see where I am going with this? I hurried and cut out some wood that I could slap together to make a tray! It is just a little box so it wasn't too complicated. That is why I can say "slapped together".

It was starting to get a little cold outside so my stairs going out to my garage became my building space. You may ask why I did not put it together out by the table saw. Well, that is for another day. Anyway, I got out all my stuff and put the pieces together. Kind of like a puzzle.

With the box all done it was time to stain it and put on the finishing touches. Can I just say that I love to stain wood! It turns it into a whole different piece. It is so satisfying. After a trip to home dopot and hobby lobby I had this thing as good as done. (I have to credit my favorite ladies again at Shanty 2 chic for the idea for the corner brackets).

I had it all finished and in my hands and still did not know what to do with it. I don't really have many places in my house to set trays. Eventhough I wish I did. Then it hit me. This tray was going to go on my kitchen table and help me make a Christmas winter scene. Like most other times I had the picture in my head but just had to make it a reality. Bam! There it is. There is one thing that I wish was different about this and that is the candles. These candles are fine but I really wanted the candles with the flickering wick. I just could not bring myself to spend over $100 for three of them so off to walmart I went and $10 later here we are. It is so fun.

Another thing that I love this Christmas is the battery operated LED lights from Ikea (I tried to find the link for you on their website but they were not to be found. They are in the store though). I don't have plugs in all the places that I would like lights and these do the trick. And for $2.99 you just can't beat that. I put them in a couple different places this year.

On my snowman shelf...

and my stair garland

Adds just the perfect touch when there is no plug available.