December 20, 2010

{ Sorry I'm Running Late, but Merry Christmas! }

Yikes! What a day! I was wondering if I was going to make it. We really didn't do a whole lot by way of decorations this year, but I'll show you what we got...

This is our living room tree. It is more coordinated and formal, and there are elements I really like about this tree. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but this tree has grape vine wrapped around it, as well as an ivy garland that has snowy glitter on the ivy leaves. I think it gives it a "woodsy" feel. it also has some berry picks stiking out to give it some depth.
Here's a close-up of some of the details on the tree. I got inexpensive bird nest, eggs, and moss to make some nests for the tree. The galvanized star thingys came from some strands of lights Target sells in the summer for patios. I picked them up years ago, and while the light strands are long gone, I stick them over the lights on the tree and I love the effect!
This is our family room tree. If it looks familiar, thats because it has a lot of the same ornaments as the rest of the family thanks to years of ornament exchanges. I love this tree, it hold so many memories.
I think this tree topper is adorable. I think I picked it up at Big Lots years ago. You can see the random chaos of the tree, and I love it. The kids play "I Spy" with the Christmas Tree every year.
Here is our dining room table. I got the wreaths on the back of the chairs from Laurel and I love them. I used Command Hooks to hang them up. Command Hooks and I are very good friends. I love those things!
The centerpiece is a big lantern (with a battery powered candle with timer from Costco of course, another favorite) and a cute wreath at the base. Pretty simple.
I found this cute printable Believe banner on a blog somewhere, I wish I could remember where. I thought it was so much fun. I love the word believe at Christmas, because it has so many connotations.
I filled the little greenhouse with pinecones we have collected over the years, and hung mini red ornaments on the rosemary topiary.
My mantel is pretty straight forward this year. One thing about my mantel, I LOVE that there is an outlet behind the picture. That way I don't have to worry about cords hanging down we just used a bunch of extra decorations and stuck them on the mantle.
This was a fun craft we did a couple of years back each side is decorated with christmas craft paper and a number so we can count down to Christmas. My son does this first thing every morning and announces how many days are left.
I adore this ceramic snowman one of my daughters made in Ceramics last year. He makes me smile.
I made this advent with a bunch of friends a few years back. It was a LOT of work. My friends and I got together once a week for a couple of months as we "assembly lined" it. I like that it is Christ centered. (The last ornament you hang up on Christmas Eve is baby Jesus")Here is the table behind my family room couch. I Printed off the pictures, put a nativity in the cloche. Stacked a few Christmas books. The box on top of the books hold the ornaments for the advent calendar.
I think this picture is adorable. Every time I look at it I smile.
I found this great card holder at Tai Pan here in Utah. It was only $17. (Score!) It hold all of the Christmas cards we get. The kids love looking through them.
I think this berry wreath is great. I hung it on the old window I found in a dumpster. Eventually I want a sofa table or shelf under the window for more decorating space.
Love this nativity. I put it on our entry table so it's the first thing you see when you come in. I got it at Costco a few years back.
Here's our banister. It's pretty pathetic. Earlier this month it was fully decorated, but I had to decorate a table for a Christmas dinner at church and I stole all of the decorations off the garland and was too lazy to put them back up. The stockings are a little out of character for my overall decorating. They are loud, and sequined. I love them!
I got them on clearance at Target after Christmas a few years back. I just couldn't resist. Also, they are nice and wide and easy to fill.
The whole neighbor gift thing is getting out of control. It seems like you deliver two million neighbor gifts, then it never fails that you end up getting goodies from twenty other people you didn't plan on. This year, I just put my goodies in a basket by the door. When someone drops off a goodie at our door, we just hand them one of ours. A bit "Ba Humbug" but it sure is easier. This year we went for easy with chocolate dipped pretzels and Oreos. Yum!

Here is our front door. I found the wreath a few years back at Lowes. The "We Believe" banner was found at a little store in St George, Utah. That all we really did for outdoor decorations this year. It snowed early this year, and I wasn't ready to risk my Sweet Hubby's neck just to have lights on the house.
Although, what yard would be complete without an inflatable Santa and Reindeer. These thing are not really my thing, but nothing beats seeing my son get sooo excited about Santa and giving him hugs and high fives. He love this thing, so he comes out every year.
Phew! Merry Christmas!

7 comments:

Traci said...

Wow April, I love all your decorations! I need to go shopping with you more to find some cute stuff for my house. :)

Unknown said...

You have a gorgeous home April! Very nicely decorated.

Chocolate dipped pretzels and oreos? I'm there!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Home! Is the picture of the children looking up the fireplace from your family or one you found? I would love to make a copy of it, if not.

Amy Kinser said...

Can I tell you that I really want your We Believe banner that is on your front door? I love that and have never seen one. I'll let you keep it, but I am going to be on the lookout.

I also love your picture of George Washington over your fireplace. We did a Providential History in our homeschool class a couple of years ago that had that picture on the front. So pretty.

Everything looks great!!!!

Brandi said...

April, LOVE your home! I have to ask, where did you get your paper towel holder? I've been looking for one like it and haven't had any luck. Also, what is the paint color in your family room?

Thanks,
Brandi

April said...

Hi Brandi,
Unfortunately, the paper towel holder was another hand me down from my sister. I think she got it at a little store here in Utah called Interior Elements. I'm not positive but they may have gone out of business. The paint color is Sand 4 by Laura Ashley. Sorry I can't be more help!

April said...
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