Tree decorations leaning more traditional

It's beginning to look a lot like a classic Christmas with tree ornaments trending toward the holiday colors of red, green and white.

"Traditional colors and motifs will be popular because of the nostalgic feelings these items evoke — especially during this time of the year," says Abby Buford with Lowe's.

"Heirloom ornaments — or even replicas that look like heirlooms — along with handmade decorations are increasingly popular."

A dash into other stores tells a similar Christmas story.

At K-mart, Martha Stewart creates visions of sugar plums with novelty ornaments that feature miniature stockings, mice and jingle bells, each ornament priced an affordable $3.99. Her tree skirts in red, green, gold or silver are among the best, regularly priced at $19.95.

Wal-Mart's tree decorations — tiny red poinsettias fashioned into miniature kissing balls and metallic gift boxes wrapped in green and gold — are perfectly priced at $2 each.

At Bed Bath & Beyond, you'll find the traditional look in an old-fashioned St. Nick, $6.99, that you can hang on a sturdy tree or sit on a small table.

Target harks back to the days of blown-glass ornaments with its "Sentimental Memories Collection" of snowmen, stuffed stockings and Santas in hand-painted looks, $2.99-$5.99. Its four-count red glass ornaments with white snowflakes, $7.99, will look right at home with childhood ornaments you have kept in tissue paper for decades.

Macy's and Pier 1 Imports are also deep into the "feel good" Christmas mode.

At Macy's, an ornament that spells "Noel", $7, looks like Tiny Tim made it himself; a miniature working Pinocchio doll, also $7, surely came from the workshop of woodcarver Geppetto.

At Pier 1 Imports, a vintage woody car ornament totes a fresh-cut tree on its roof, $11.95, while silver blades glisten on a fur-trimmed red ice skate, $6.95.

No one store seems loaded with tree ornaments. In fact, some shelves already look a little lean, so you had best get what you want this weekend to make sure your tree looks full and finished.

Make Your Ornaments

Clear glass ball ornaments are easy for any age to decorate, according to crafters at Ben Franklin Crafts in York County, Va. Cover them with glue, then glitter or swirl crafters paint inside them.