I have to be honest, when it comes to Holiday celebrations and the like, I’m quite a traditional girl. My family’s Christmas arrangements are much the same every year, has been for decades really… very time-honoured. Not that I mind – I find it comforting, the familiar. It would probably not feel very much like Christmas if we didn’t do it our customary way.

I’m also quite  jealous of you lucky people who celebrate a White Christmas every year. Snow, mistletoe, eggnog, reindeer, sleigh-rides, red bows, silver bells and boughs of holly – all the things American TV and carols has told us Christmas should be. And here I am, sitting in front of a fan trying to escape the sweltering Cape Town summer! I’m craving a change – it must be the heat.

This year I want to break tradition – I want something fresh, something unique. I’m starting with the old Christmas decorations – no more shiny glass balls or tinsel and definitely no red, green and gold! I’m after something different. I did a quick Pinterest search for inspiration and found these examples of Christmas ornaments with a fresh contemporary twist. Have a quick look – I think they are pretty awesome! Some of them are DIYs so be sure to follow the links back to the original source for the “how to” instructions.

DIY paint dipped concrete star ornaments – so easy! | via http://www.yeoboblog.com/2013/12/modern-christmas-ornament-diy.html

DIY folding paper ornaments from Snug Studio | via http://snugonline.bigcartel.com/product/snug-christmas-balls-diy

More origami-like paper ornaments from Sinnenrausch – love the sketchy black & white designs | via http://sinnenrausch.blogspot.cz/2013/10/origami-diamanten.html

Adore these ornaments made from Vintage spoons! Too pretty | via http://www.etsy.com/listing/170708695/1800s-silver-spoon-ornaments-set-of-10?ref=related-0

Introduce a bit of this year’s colour trends by decorating your ornaments in a metallic or neon colour! http://entermyattic.blogspot.nl/2012/12/diy-christmas-decoration.html

Christmas pendants made ​​of piece of tree trunk and hot neon pink elements | via http://www.kamer26.nl/webwinkel/kerst-2013/boomstam-hangers-fluor-4.html

More tree trunk pendants – also from Kamer 26 | via http://www.vtwonen.nl/blog/accessoires-blog/kamer-26.html

Traditional yet ethereal and trendy – this DIY shows you how to give glass balls the Ombre effect | via http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/ombre-glass-ornaments/

Love this pink hummingbird ornament with its beglittered chest from Anthropologie | via http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=29032505&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Affiliates-_-rewardStyle-_-11292623&utm_medium=rewardStyle&utm_source=AFFILIATES&utm_content=rewardStyle

Wood ornaments painted by hand in colourful geometric patterns from Bonjour Frenchie @ Etsy | via http://www.etsy.com/listing/114820638/handpainted-christmas-ornaments-for-tree

Ferm Living has a beautiful collection of contemporary christmas ornaments with that signature Scandi twist! | via http://www.fermliving.com/webshop/shop/x-mas-collection/paper-diamond-grey-set-of-3.aspx

“Quill and Quiver” ornaments from Jayson Home. Yes please! I’ll take 6 arrows! | via http://www.jaysonhome.com/holiday/quill-and-quiver-ornaments.html

{So what do guys & gals think – cute hey?! Any of you also attempting a less traditional Christmas this year?}