This Christmas, things are a bit different for me.
Usually I am the one that has all of her Christmas shopping finished by Thanksgiving and all of her presents wrapped by December first. Then I get to sit around and think how happy I am that I am not out in all of that crazy traffic or waiting in those long lines at the mall.
Well, that plan was shot to heck this year.
When we went on our cruise, we were out of town for 10 days. As soon as we got back, and I got caught up with the blog and my projects, I looked up and all of the sudden I realized I was sooo behind.
I am really OCD about my Christmas decor, so I will go around to a million stores before I will find what it is I am looking for.
That takes time people. Time that I didn’t have this year.
So here it is Dec 17th, and I just now have all of my decor ready. So I decided to share it with you!
I don’t know if you are like me or not, but I love looking through other people’s homes. There are so many homes here in town that I would love to just go up to and ring their doorbell and ask for a tour. (Topher said that might get me arrested.)
Today I thought I would walk you through all of my Christmas goodies.
Here is the tree!
Now, we got this tree at a Christmas in July sale at Ace Hardware a number of years ago at 80% off. It’s about ready to retire, and I have my eye on a prelit one … but until then, this still works.
Usually I have a white and silver tree, but this year I added a bit of aqua.
My penguins and my foxes live below.
The one exception I make to any other color on my tree is this tiny pink ornament at the top.
My grandma was a doll collector, and one year when I was 7 or 8 she decorated her entire tree with little tiny dolls (kiddles I think they were called) that looked like this.
I thought that was the most amazing tree ever.
The year that she passed away, I was in a store and I saw this ornament that looked just liked those tiny dolls, and I knew I had to have it. No matter what color my tree is this little doll always goes on it in memory of Grams. I think that would have made her happy.
Bessie the cow is a Christmas angel. Bessie changes her hats according to the holiday.
I tied some Dollar tree ornaments onto my chandelier for a little extra pizazz.
My silver trees and mercury glass love birds live on my vintage aqua table.
These are my little sugar houses that I collect. I add a new house to the collection every year.
My glass glittered trees and holiday flowers in my mercury glass vase on my ivory vintage cabinet.
My Christmas mantle.
Here is my dilemma: I sewed all of our stockings when the unnamed child was little. Now I would like to replace them with some ivory or silver ones since the colored ones don’t really work with my color scheme anymore. When my kiddo heard this, she was not happy. She wants to stick to the originals since they are “nostalgic” to her.
What would you do? Would you trade them out for something that looks better or stick with the ones that have all of the memories attached to them?
And the buffet…
I repainted some old shutters I found at a yard sale for a $1 to hang my antlers and wreath on.
Do you see my little porcupines down below? I am kind of obsessed with them.
This was the old buffet that sat in my basement for 15 years before I decided to give it an overhaul a few months ago.
Well, that’s it!
Thanks so much for coming over and hanging out for a while.
It’s actually beautiful weather here today, so I am going to go out in the garage and paint for a bit.
Have a great day!
I am sure you would love for anyone to say update the stocking look. I think the memory is bigger then the look in this case. I recall you have a pink Kiddles Doll on your tree. This honors your grandma. I understand the decorating is important but maybe there is a way to incorporate the stockings. Keep adding the colors on the mantel as you have started and maybe add a little more to really gibe it a punch of your favorite colors. I do not think you will regret tradition.
I think you’re right Karen! Have a Happy New Year!
Keep the stockings!
I just wrote my monthly newspaper column about the importance of family traditions, rituals, etc this past week. I even used my nearly 40 year old raggedy Christmas stocking that my mom still fills as an example. 🙂
I think your right Lisa! Have a Happy New Year!
Pretty! I love the special little touches like your sugar house collection and your grandmother’s ornaments. Thanks for sharing Shanna!
Thanks Holly! Have a Happy New Year!
Your decorations are so pretty! I love all of the sweet ornaments and the color palette is stunning! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas! Hugs, Leena
Thank you Leena! Have a Happy New Year!
I love the teal accents – so pretty! But I have to say that my fave is Bessie the Cow and her holiday wreath hat. Too cool.
Thanks Karen! Have a Happy New Year!
Love the cow and your buffet! So cool painted blue and white. Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday linky party that is live right now and share this with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/12/centerpiece-wednesday-106.html
Karin
Shanna it is all so beautiful! Your pretty tree and the aqua and your pastel sparkly village – and the story about your grandmother’s tree. Everything is lovely- thanks for letting us take a peek in your home! 😉
Your tree is beautiful!
Thank you Andrea! Have a Happy New Year!
Wow, Shanna it’s all so beautiful. I LOVE those sugared houses and your stockings are really cute, there is so much detail!! I know what you mean about color scheme and all though… that is a tough call
I would def. KEEP THE STOCKINGS! They pop with your other colors and I think at Christmas everything blends well together!
I think your right Diane! Happy New Years to you!
very, very nice and i have to agree keep the stockings !!! i do have a question in regards to your sisal (?) mat/rug where could i locate one like that i love love love it!!!Happy New Year!