Christmas Decorations At Last!!
Although I am still recovering at home from my unexpected 4 night stay at the hospital, we FINALLY got some Christmas decorations up yesterday, just in time for The Nester’s Christmas Tour of Homes! I am definitely paying for it today, having moved around a little more than I should have when I’m supposed to be taking it easy and not lifting anything over 5 pounds. We definitely scaled things back this year, skipping the outside lights and wreaths entirely. I still have a few things left to add: garland above the kitchen cabinets, garland on the banister, two small lighted trees in urns for our front porch. But now I finally feel like Christmas is here, and I love having my house decorated for the holidays! This was definitely a much needed pick-me-up that has lifted my spirits. I’m still learning how to use The Picky Apple’s fancy-pants camera, so some of these pictures have a little too much flash.
Here are a few little glimpses of Christmas at our house…
Our front door wreath:
I just love the sound of bells jingling every time the door opens. The Littlest Apple loves to play with these too, as he sings “Jingle Bells.”
Last year I bought a whole bunch of discounted ornaments to use in various apothecary jars and hurricane lamps/vases around the house. Such a simple way to decorate, and I love how festive it looks!
Big Santa Nutcracker and an apothecary jar full of silver bells:
Christmas potpourri with some ornaments and silver bells thrown in for some extra sparkle!
Polka dot boxes purchased at HomeGoods last year. Wishing I had purchased a third one….
I decorate the mantle a little differently every year. This year I’ve got a garland (with red apples, of course), nutcrackers, and Christmas blocks. I’d like to change out my candles or add some ribbon to them. I’ve also been looking for some mercury glass stands similar in size to the clear glass ones I own. Sorry this photo is a little blurry….
Another view…why hello, dusty mirror!
The Littlest Apple is still young enough to want to pull the stockings down from the mantle (and he can actually reach them this year), so for now, the stockings are hung from the top of the nearby bookcase. I’m looking forward to having them back on the mantle again. Maybe next year?
My favorite Santa snowglobe that plays “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”:
And last but not least, the star of the show…our Christmas tree! The Picky Apple had to go get the tree all by himself yesterday, and it took him 2 hours! I was a little annoyed that he was gone so long, but the tree he picked is just perfect!
When The Picky Apple and I first got married, I decided I wanted to have a Santa themed tree with only Santa ornaments. We’ve been slowly adding to our collection over the years. Last year, I decided the tree needed a little something extra, so I bought lots of silver and red sparkly ornaments to go along with all of the Santas. As a result, my old tree topper and ribbons for the tree (cream and GOLD) no longer match, and the tree definitely needs more decorations. This year after Christmas, I’ll be hunting for a new tree topper, ribbon, and some tulle to add to the tree next year. And more lights!!
Even though The Littlest Apple is trying to grab at all the ornaments and lights, we still decorated the tree all the way down. (Last year I only decorated the top half.) Most of the ornaments near the bottom are not breakable, but we’re trying hard to teach him to look with his eyes and not with his hands!
Closeups of some of the ornaments…
Hope you enjoyed the tour of our Christmas decorations!
Merry Christmas!!!
Hooo Hooo
Beautiful pictures…..Love all your decorations!
~Hugs
I love those jars filled with bells and ornaments! I normally have all our glass balls in vases throughout our space, but this year for whatever reason I wasn’t inspired to do it. Now I wish I had 😉 Lovely home Cara!
very nice and you get an extra cookie in your stocking for your hard work right after being in the hospital!
Godspeed and Merry Christmas!
Dana and Daisy
Gorgeous! Will you come and decorate my home, too?! Come on, a trip to Bermuda would do you good! 🙂
Hope you’re feeling better!
Sorry to hear you have been in the hospital lately. Christmas is hard enough for moms without a detour to the hospital! But sounds like you’re making it ok. Your home looks beautiful. Hope you have a happy holy day!
Kay
I love your decorations, but i can’t believe you did all that after having been in the hospital. Go you. My favorite is the jar with the jingle bells. i’m going to have to steal that for next year. Merry Christmas and thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment.
What lovely pictures! I love the nutcrackers!
Beautiful decorations! Thank you for the holiday tour.
Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2010.
Cristin
I love the jingle bells – I share the same enthusiasm! I never would have thought to DISPLAY my stash! And I love the strap you have hanging from the door knob. I am on the lookout for one of my own, now!
Thanks for the comment on my blog too 🙂 I hope your recovery is speedy!!
Everything looks lovely! Santa is my favorite Christmas decoration theme, too.
Hi! Thanks for stopping by my home and your sweet comments! I love your apothecary jars and all of your festive decor!!!!
Looks great! So festive 🙂
Merry Christmas
Where did you get your personalized stockings? I think I’d like to buy some like that for next year.
Also: I love your idea of having a “themed” tree. It looks like your Santa Claus tree is tres cic.
Everything looks lovely!