Christmas decorations are up and it was extra fun this year because most of the decorations are new. With the move to a more modern house, and with my kids being older (16 and 21), I wanted to change it up a bit.
This year’s décor was inspired by some blue, copper, and green ornaments that I found at Target. These simple, inexpensive ornaments pack a big punch in my bowl, glass apothecary jar, on the tree, and hanging from the kitchen table light.
I was also inspired by the white Christmas ceramic villages that were everywhere this year. I tried to get some at Target but they were sold out and then I found an amazing set at Bed Bath and Beyond and ended up buying 2 sets – one for the family room and one for the living room. While they came with votive lights, I bought some different ones on Amazon that have a timer and it is like magic at 4pm every day when they start turning on in sequence. Votives are also in the little reindeer which are so adorable and affordable.
Other than the tree, the staircase really takes center stage with the faux evergreen garland, lights, and felt garland which is on sale right now. Rather than traditional Christmas lights, I have switched it up to round bulbs this year and they really add a fun modern touch. I attached the garlands with garland ties (so handy) and then the lights clipped on to the faux garland which made this fairly easy. This really does not photograph well and I did not hide the cords (keeping it real over here), but trust me, it is well worth the effort.
Although we have 2 fireplaces, we do not have a mantel so I got creative and used the built-in dining room buffet for the stockings. Unfortunately, we still do not have the dining room table that I ordered in June (likely Feb) because of Covid but that is a very small sacrifice though I did purchase a folding table because we need somewhere to do our puzzles – see HERE.
I made the cone trees on the piano and shared a post on this no-fail DIY project HERE. I have some supplies coming for one more DIY project that I will share soon.
The terrarium with the trees is beautiful (if only the lights had a timer) and as always you can get 20% off at Bed Bath and Beyond and deer from Crate and Barrel but I would go with the lower-priced deer with votives above.
The small wreaths that I attached to the kitchen bar stools may give the white ceramic villages a run for the money on my favorite décor this year. They definitely make a huge impact for a very little cost ($2.99 wreaths) and I have now added a little Christmas ribbon to tie them to the counter stools.
The real (my husband feels strongly about this) Christmas tree arrived the day after Thanksgiving. Because of Covid, we ordered it sight unseen from a local nursery in California. It is a beautiful tree that was shipped from WA but I am pretty sure that they kept the best ones in WA and we really missed going to the Carnation Tree Farm to pick it out. I did not miss loading and unloading it from the car – the nursery here provides delivery which we will definitely continue to take advantage of.
The lights are new (sold out at Balsam Hill) and rather than being spread evenly around the tree they are in clusters and have a mode where they twinkle so beautifully.
All of the ornaments on the tree have special meaning as each member of our family gets one each year so there are lots of tennis (Gavin), soccer (Mason), gaming (Mike), and Night Before Christmas (Stephanie) ornaments. Not to be left out, the dog (Odin) also gets one and the number of french bulldog ornaments is growing – might have bought 3 (oops) this year! Etsy and Amazon are your best resources here. We cannot find the star so another one is on order and hopefully will be here soon.
I am burning my Christmas candles shared HERE daily and it really brings the whole experience together along with some Christmas music. It is going to be a different kind of Christmas this year (we are still wearing t-shirts and sandals in CA) but I am getting the best present of having my oldest son here from WA and my in-laws are coming as well!
In case you still have not finished your decorating, below are some links to a few of the earlier Christmas décor posts.
Are your decorations up? What is your favorite new or treasured Christmas décor?
