Monday, December 19, 2011

A Little Christmas

I’m ready! And I’m even early this year. Earlier than I’ve been in the last couple of years. I’ve really been trying… If you know me in real life you know I’m perpetually late to…well…everything. It’s one of the things I despise about myself. But I am aware and I am trying to do better.

The other day I was a good ten minutes early to a homeschool outing to fill fruit baskets for the local meals on wheels folks. TEN MINUTES! Can you imagine? I’d like to take credit for it, but sadly, I can’t. I actually thought I was 20 minutes late and was shocked to find nobody else had arrived yet. But I’m choosing to roll with it and say it’s my new habit.

I’m early with my gifts and wrapping too. This year I had all of my gifts (except for a few stragglers that were on order) wrapped, bowed, tagged and under the tree artfully on November 30 an hour before midnight! And as anything new has entered the house I’ve wrapped it almost immediately. Even my stocking stuffers are wrapped and ready to go. (It helps to have a handy tote full of wrapping supplies at the ready…)
DSCN3681
DSCN3679
I wasn’t sure if I’d like the black paper and ribbons but it really grew on me. You really can’t beat that ribbon at Costco – 50 yards for less than $7. And it’s wired so it’s easy to make a pretty bow. DSCN3683
It’s been very gray around here – overcast and gloomy outside, but not inside. We’re not complaining – we certainly need the rain in our parched Texas land – and the gray makes it seem more wintery in this place where it can get pretty toasty most of the year.

Because if the gray I’ve avoided taking you on a photo tour of our home for the holidays, but today it was light enough that I snapped a few photos. 

Care to take a tour?

Welcome!
Christmas Front Door Wreath
I purchased two of these fresh Christmas green wreaths this year. Since we have a faux tree now I can’t clip greens from the bottom and use them around the house. And the tree lots don’t like to sell piles of greens anymore – they know they can profit well by wiring them into garland and wreaths.

I added a bow to the first and took apart the second wreath and used it around my house…look for photos below. Each wreath was about $16 at Costco.Christmas Legos
Even the Legos are ready for Christmas.Christmas Mantle with Music Candles
This is my favorite and easiest Christmas craft this year – covering my (battery operated) candles with antique sheet music. I found the music at a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store for just a couple of bucks, color copied it and just taped it in place. This way, I can easily remove it when I get tired of it, or change the music seasonally. The iron stars seem to be a Texas staple and I thought they were Christmassy too.Christmas Mantle with Sheet Music Candles & Iron Stars
Because the candles sit in front of a mirror it makes the seams easy to see – but I think they are much more visible in photos than in real life.
Christmas Mantle with Music Candles close up
I like to use a sparse garland (in this case, sugared fruits) and fill in around it with fresh greens. The branches are just tucked in - It gives the house the smell of a fresh tree without all the mess. I like the way it dresses up my dining room light fixture.
Christmas Dining Light with Greens
The kids are anxious to start nibbling on the candies in the apothecary jars now that I’ve got my blog photos…

Every time I see my silver trays on the wall I love them even more. Thank you, Pinterest, for the inspiration.
Christmas Apothecary Jars & Silver Trays
My favorite tray is the one I painted with chalkboard paint. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I like to change out what the chalkboard says every now and again. Don’t ask me what it says or how to pronounce it, though… I do know it’s not Spanish.Silver Tray Chalkboard for Christmas
I swiped this garden basket from the wall in my Gramma’s garage last summer. Instead of an abundance of zucchini and giant tomatoes it now holds the littlest Christmas gifts.Christmas Gifts in Antique Garden Basket
A friend of mine hosted an Altered Advent Calendar class a few years ago at her church. I love how mine turned out. This year we added events and outings as well as chocolates.Paper Crafts Altered Advent Calendar
I added some long cinnamon sticks (from the grocery store) and clippings from our holly bushes to some of the greens from that extra wreath I bought. It looks nice wired to the garden basket.Christmas Greens on Garden Basket
A few more greens and some of the pinecones from that same wreath make a nice base for my Mercury Glass Pottery Barn votive holders. See… I buy stuff from Pottery Barn (when it’s less than $4…)Mercury Glass Votives with Christmas Greens
White Pitcher Collection with Christmas Greens
Even my white pitcher and creamer collection got a few greens and holly sprigs.

A small bit of greens I would have tossed out really dressed up my lantern (lit with a battery candle).
Snowy Lantern
Another small bunch spreads the Christmas cheer to a pile of stripped books from the thrift store.DSCN3710
Our (beautifully monogrammed) stockings are hung near our chimney with care.Christmas Stockings & Nativity
And this is our reminder of the Real Reason we’re celebrating. I added some battery powered tea lights to give our Nativity Crèche a soft glow.DSCN3716
Only two trees this year – one in the living room and one in Michaela’s room. I didn’t have the energy for all the others.
Christmas Tree Lights with Wrapped GiftsJesus is the Reason for the Season
Enjoy these last few moments of anticipation before the big day. Take some time to reflect on the most Wonderful Gift.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I’m linking to:
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7 comments:

  1. Simply beautiful! You have inspired me to go and wrap all my presents now.

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  2. Congratulations on being ready early. Beautiful decorations.

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  3. How pretty it all is! I'm in awe of you. My family is lucky I can figure out how to wrap lights around a tree. Not a decorator. Not at all. :0)

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  4. wow!! I'm so happy I found your blog. Your decorations are stunning!! Stop by when you have a chance!

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  5. All of your Christmas touches look so beautiful, right down to the bows of your wrapped presents. I especially loved those stockings. Enjoyed my visit to your blog from the Hip Homeschool Hop. Love your blog title and the poem in your header too!:) Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  6. What a beautiful home! Thank you for the tour! Nicko says he loves the Legos!

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  7. So many beautiful things to look at! I love the candles, I love the gift wrap, there is so much I love about your decor, I'll just go with I love it all! Thanks for visiting my blog, so I could find yours!

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Thanks for stopping by. It warms my heart that you would take the time to comment. Well... If you said something nice it warms my heart...

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