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Blue Christmas and Big Snowflakes

December 3, 2012

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Are we still decorating for Christmas?!  Goodness.  We are.  Actually, it has proven to be a good thing we started decorating for Christmas when we did, because it has taken us weeks, on and off, to get things out and up.  For instance, before leaving town for Thanksgiving, we put up our tree and decided to go with a blue and gold theme–which worked since we had blue shatter-proof ornaments (and I can’t stop singing “I’ll have a bluuuuuuueeeee Christmas without you“) tucked away in the Christmas stuff. And that was that.  Even with a hundred or so bulbs, it still felt empty and I was anxious to revisit it.

Also right before we skipped town, Chris got up on the rooftops (click, click click!) and put up our exterior lights on a warmer day.  The whole time he kept saying how much better the experience was this year compared to last–when it took for-ev-ver and he came in with freezing hands covered in cuts. Poor guy.  So, yeah–Lights up when the weather is still in the high fifties, for the win.

And then everything at our place got put on pause while we headed up north to visit our parents for Thanksgiving….and decorate their house. It takes my mom three days to put up her tree and decorate the house herself, so we are happy to all pitch in and help.  While my sister, mom and I were busy indoors reminiscing about every ornament (no wonder it takes so long), Chris, my brother in law and Dad were outdoors, putting up the life-size nativity I painted for my parents a few years ago.

With all of us working together, it still takes a full day.  And I didn’t snap a single photo of my mom’s indoor decorations.  Just close your eyes and imagine every nook filled with something Christmas.  It’s quite amazing. As for us, we’re still minimalists when it comes to Christmas decor–but we do like to add something every year.  This year, I picked up some oversized ornaments at the dollar store, thanks to one of our reader’s suggestions.  Big snowflakes and bulbs really helped fill in our tree while still keeping it Greta proof.

So now, with the addition of about $23 worth of ornaments…from the dollar store (which, I can definitely say is the most I have ever spent in one transaction there) our tree is looking filled in and flirty.

I must have some sort of problem through, because I still want more ornaments. Eeee. Next year. :)  As for everything else, like I said–we are minimalists.  I rehung our wreaths going up the stairs like last year (

And a little nativity scene from my parents and garland and gold glass ornaments (away from Greta’s reach) took their place on the fauxdenza.

It’s nothing really innovative or even different–more of a here’s-how-Christmas-looks-when-you-don’t-have-a-ton-of-Christmas-stuff, but if you take one thing away from this blog post it should be get your bum to the dollar store and pick up some of those big snowflake ornaments.  You’ll be happier.
Oh, and I guess, put your exterior lights up before it gets too cold.  You’ll be warmer.
Did anyone else get their decorations up recently?  Feel free to link in the comments section.  We just love looking at what others do and getting inspired.  Also, How was your weekend?!

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What do you think?

  1. Are those red bulbs still in a glass bowl by your TV? Or did someone (or something) move them? ….. Better check it out. See if anything looks different since I visited.

  2. Nice! I totally relate to the time it takes to decorate. Last year, I was REdecorating every day. :)

  3. You’ve been busy painting your whole house. I am dying over your “new” hallway. Yum!

  4. Those little caroling snowmen are the cutest!

  5. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks Ashley! To be clear the smaller blue bulbs that were on the tree first are from Walmart I think (last year) and then all the big bulbs and snowflakes are from the dollar store and they are the best!!

  6. Oh man. Seriously, they are heaven sent. Once Greta was born we stored our glass ones away and totally transitioned to shatterproof. It makes the whole season a lot more stress free and fun!

  7. Amy, I felt that way too. Hence the disclaimer at the end of the post. Hahaha. I definitely take a backseat when it comes to Christmas decor. As for the nativity–it is by Willow Tree. :)

  8. Hahaha. That’s the goal I guess.

  9. Kim, dear. Thank you! And you had me at “dorky painting.” Let’s shorten the gap between us some day soon.

  10. I love those! Air-five for dollar store shopping!

  11. I LOVE the look of your tree next to your map. The coolest map ever! They go so well together.

  12. Lettie LaFerriere says:

    I love the wreaths on your staircase! We have started decorating, but we are nowhere near being finished. With a 1 year old, things like decorating the tree get reallllly drawn out. :) Your photos inspire me to get a move on with the rest of my decorating!

  13. Lyndsay @ that 70s house says:

    your tree looks awesome! the blue theme is so gorgeous, i just love it! I need to get my butt to the dollar store…! We are working on the decorating, little by little…it’s amazing how long these things take!

  14. Laura @ Chaotic Domestic says:

    Looks great! We don’t have that much Christmas stuff either… but I did put out some of my favorite pieces. I figure I’ll add stuff a little at a time when I find stuff I love.

    http://chaoticdomestic.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like-christmas.html

  15. I love your decorations! Your tree is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t believe you found all those ornaments at the Dollar Store (definitely going to have to look into that!)

    I also really like the wreaths on the fireplace and the nativity! We actually need to get a nativity for our house…

  16. Your tree is stunning! And shatter-proof ornaments (how cool is that!), apparently may head has been in the sand. I’ll have to pick some of those up:) Merry Christmas!

  17. Amy@ Five Kinds of Happy says:

    I just posted about all our Christmas decor too – I think I can relate to your style and also tried to replace the traditional reds with more golds. It can get a little stressful trying to perfect Christmas decor in the blogosphere (I found) but yours is just lovely! Plus that little wooden nativity set… so simple and meaningful. I want one just like that!

  18. Janelle D says:

    I really love the wood top on your “fauxdenza” haha. It goes so nicely with the gold ornaments and natural nativity. pretty!

  19. Your house looks so festive! Love the multiple wreaths on the stairs :) We finally put some lights on our tree last night and are going to do the garland/ornaments tonight. We also put up some outdoor decor but still need to address the rest of the inside! Hopefully we’ll be done decorating before the big day haha

  20. Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says:

    We have yet to touch any holiday decor in our home, but I have a whole list I can’t wait to tackle now that Renegade is over! You’ve inspired me to think about bigger ornaments – how fun!

    And can we just go back a moment and talk about the nativity scene you painted?! What?! You are so talented! I really wish you lived closer so we could talk about dorky painting techniques and craft together!

  21. Fun!! I love the wreaths going up your staircase. We put up some decorations this past weekend, including these faux snow globes I made recently (with dollar store finds – holla!): http://thesweetestdigs.com/2012/11/28/the-diy-files-mason-jar-faux-snow-globes/

  22. Jenna says:

    we started decorating the day after thanksgiving but finished putting stuff up this weekend…and might keep putting stuff up ;) I just posted about it here: http://jennaandcalder.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/its-christmas-time/ Merry Christmas Season!

  23. Woohooo! Go get ’em Emily!

  24. It IS more exciting for sure. Everything feels new again. And every house with Christmas lights is special…even the…not so special ones. ;)

  25. Erin {Home Everyday} says:

    This is great! The tree is perfect, and the wreaths on the railing are perfect! You’ve inspired a project :)

  26. Beth Willmore says:

    I recognize that big outdoor nativity! Your parents live right across the street from my mom and my kids love seeing that nativity, especially at night when it’s all lit up. So thanks for the enjoyment for 3 little Willmores! :)

  27. I’m a big fan of the wreaths! :-) I haven’t put up our tree yet. I look forward to Christmas with children, as I imagine it feels much more exciting and special.

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