In the Nick of Time

After looking at the boxes of Christmas decorations

for a couple of weeks, I decided it was finally time

to bite the bullet. Of course, I decided that it would be great

to light a fire and let the kids help...

and I hadn't even had a drink!

We did light a fire,

we did put on Christmas carols,

and we did have a good time...

we did not get anything decorated.

Instead there were little piles of Santa's,

candles, and snowmen all around the house

in all sorts of interesting places.

Thankfully, I abandoned my out-of-control

decorating ideas years ago, and the joy

of watching the kids "discover" the

Christmas treasures was all worth it.

So, yes, we did not get anything accomplished,

but we did have FUN!

I don't necessarily have a theme when I decorate -

I thought about it this year (and every year),

but end up using the items that call to me instead.

I think the closest I am getting to a theme

is the use of black and white with the

accents of green and red, like my gifts.

I was going to do red feathers

and made a wreath like the one I did for Halloween,

but it did not receive rave reviews -

it looked a little bordello-like.

(Joe made this in Kindergarten...still one of my faves!)

Might I also add, the decorating is minimal because
there is a certain little person who lives here

that thinks everything is hers, and so far,

has broken a leg off of a Santa,

hidden Christmas ornaments,

and who-knows-what-else she has done

that I have not yet discovered!

So, here is what I have done...
I love mixing rustic with a little glam.
It is not really traditional, but not really modern...
it is eclectic and...it is just us!

I drape pearls over the mirror every year...

best part they work as New years decor too!

 

I dress up my crazy "junk-store" fireplace decor

with some chandelier crystals and poinsettias,

and then we hang our stockings!

Some shiny new ornaments on a bed of moss

and Tiffany candlesticks!

The "sparkly tree" on a bed of moss,

perched atop a rustic container,

anchored with a silver and crystal platter.

 

I pulled some branches out of the yard

for Thanksgiving and loved the way they looked.

I just had to keep them for Christmas.

I put them in a vase, filled the vase with red beans

and hung more chandelier crystals.

This is one of my fave decorations...

but I cannot get a good photo! Bummer!

Joe loves Nutcrackers.

So, when I found a bag of Nutcracker candles
at Goodwill, I just had to have them.

There is just something kitschy and adorable about them.

These are my two fave's from this year.

Both kids sat quietly, intensely coloring their Santa's.

If the kids got to decorate...

our house would be full of singing Hallmark snowmen!

(Thanks Grandma!)

Oh yeah, no tree photos...because there isn't one yet.

Yes, we wait and wait.

In fact I really wanted to go cut our own tree this year,

but "Wholly Moly!" there is too much to do.

If only I had one more weekend.

As for the decor, next year, I am determined

to steal my parents Blinko -

a snowman from my grandparents

with a light up "blinking" nose -

I have never seen it blink

and pretty sure no one else has either,

but granny said it did.

What is your favorite holiday decoration?

Is there a story behind it?

Tell me..I just have to know!

Cheers!

Holly

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