Christmas Decorations

Hello and happy Thursday!

This is one of my favorite posts to share as I love seeing how others decorate their homes for the holidays, so it’s a fun post to write.

Just like with my fall decorations, I didn’t buy but a few new things to decorate for Christmas.

Two weekends ago, I took about an hour to put up all of my festive fun.

So, my house pretty much looks the same as last year, but I’ve added a couple of things here and there.

In the morning, I tend to turn on the colored Christmas tree lights. This mug is still one of my faves and very “on brand” for me.

Then at night, I love the white lights on the tree! Last Sunday, we took a few minutes to put the ornaments on the living room tree.

{Side note: those “gifts” under the tree are Amazon boxes that I wrapped years ago, and they are a perfect holding spot until I get my act together and wrap actual gifts!)

This year, I did a good job picking up ornaments to capture trips we went on. I got this Washington, DC ornament as a nod to our trip on spring break.

I’ve decided for the next few years, I’m going to make a point to get both the kids an ornament as one of their birthday presents. They’ve received tons of ornaments through the years, but not any from us. This year, I got Hayden the Oregon ornament to remember our trip to the Olympic Trials this past summer.

I found this Dr. Pepper ornament on Etsy, and Hadley laughed when she opened it. She loves a Dr. Pepper!

Hadley’s tree has a lot of fun ornaments, and the tree looks so pretty in her room.

The tree in our bedroom has a few meaningful ornaments I’ve been given through the years. Including this Betty White ornament from my friend a few years ago.

Most of the other ornaments on this tree are the ones I ordered on Shutterfly last year.

Last year, I ordered ornaments that included pictures of the kids at Christmas time through the years. Most of them are front back with two different years, and some are front back with pictures for the same year. I just have so many great memories of the kids at Christmas with Santa or dressed in their green and red outfits.

Shutterfly always runs a good deal around the holidays, but their regular shipping is still expensive. So, the past two years, I’ve ordered the ornaments when I order my Christmas cards.

• 2019: This was the first year that we had Homer, and the kids really wanted him in the pictures. That was harder than I thought it would be. haha
• 2020: Apparently, they had the same request for 2020!

• I didn’t realize it did, but this next ornament is another 2020 pic with Santa…and then…
• 2021 – We stumbled upon Santa at Union Station in KC when we were then for Thanksgiving. This was the first year I was pretty sure I didn’t have “believers” anymore, so I love the pic with Santa.

• 2022- I loved our 30A beach pic so the kids and family pic is on each side.

• 2023- The Christmas card pic last year was of the kids dressed up for the December cotillion. The other side was went we went to the “Magic Tree” in KC when we were there for Thanksgiving.

• 2024- I always love our front yard tree, and snapped this pic of the kids. Then, another family beach pic to capture our time in 30A again this year.

As for a few new decorations:

When I went to Kirkland’s a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t resist these cute felt reindeer!

I also thought this festive ceramic house was cute. I love the jingle bells and ornaments.

On one of my many trips to Micheal’s, I got this bell to hang on the front door knob. It’s just a slight jingle, and nothing annoying. The one I’ve had for years was showing its wear and tear.

I thought I’d use this wreath elsewhere, but ended up tying it to the arches I have on front hall table.

Just a few touches here and there. I will enjoy all the sparkle and shine of the Christmas decorations, and then it always feels nice to have a fresh start with everything put away in the new year.