I meant to post this yesterday but, well, I just couldn’t get it done. I’m trying to be ok with not getting everything done this holiday season or at least not done perfectly. And I may have to even break a few traditions in order to retain my sanity. Anyone with me?
I actually didn’t even unpack half of our decorations. And I spent zero dollars on anything new this year. Zero. My decorating this year is very simple and I used a lot of my year-round stuff and just added some holiday embellishments like ornaments, ribbon, burlap, evergreens, sticks and berries. The greens and berries can add a huge impact and cost zero dollars. I grabbed them from our yard {and my mom’s} and added them to pretty much everything – a shelf, a vase, a bowl, candles – instant holiday decor.
This time of year should be spent enjoying the season not running ragged to get it all done. So, take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot cocoa and relax. It will all get done. You may have to forgo some of the things you did last year but maybe you’ll make new traditions – and more meaningful ones. And in terms of decorating, it’s not about making things look pretty. It’s about surrounding yourself in a peaceful, warm place that makes you happy. Enjoy my simple holiday touches. And remember, zero dollars…
The sequin garland was my grandmother’s. Makes me smile everytime I look at it. In the background is a photo montage I made using our kids’ Santa pictures from over the years. Precious.
I couldn’t live without this little cubby space which is part of our kitchen. A few years ago I took down the cabinets that were here and bought this Ikea shelf. Works perfectly for our family. And the chicken wire frame holds all our important notes and doodles. Greens and berries…. and this beautiful art print from jones design company.
This cabinet is my favorite roadside find that I refinished into a bar/liquor cabinet. The wine rack is an Etsy item and super fun to decorate. This area gets a lot of use, ahem. A miniature pedestal is the perfect place for a snowy scene. Those bottle brush trees are everywhere!!
These stockings are from Pottery Barn {several years ago}. But these are the backs. I turned them around because our daughter decided to write her name on her pretty velvet stocking… with a sharpie… when she was 3. She was waiting for me to get hers monogrammed and I guess she couldn’t wait any more. It’s pretty funny now. I might turn them back around next year. I added the pom-pom {homemade!! – post coming soon}, ribbons, branch and homemade initial.
And our tree… not the prettiest one we’ve ever had but it works. And I’m grateful it hasn’t fallen over {which is a first}. As you can see no presents are under the tree yet. I haven’t wrapped anything. anything. But it will get done, especially with my new wrapping station. yeah!
Check out the DIY post on this gold stag/reindeer. Already given a few out as hostess gifts. He gets greens too.
Some pillows, greens, and a few of my holiday art prints.
We’re having fun with our homemade advent calendar. Check out the original post here.
I usually don’t do much decorating for the holidays in my office because I don’t have much room and I’m always moving things around. But a small tree, a green Santa and a cozy throw and pillows warm up the space a bit.
Our own little hot cocoa station. I love this little spot. Stole the idea from here. Brilliant.
Our dining room centerpiece also got some small tweeks. I kept most of the same pieces I’ve had there and just added a few ornaments, silver and natural pinecones, the JOY letters – and the disco ball. The silver, blue, black and white are very winter-y.
This armoire is in our front hall and I just changed the artwork and added our manger. It was a wedding gift from a dear friend and I just love it. Must have been handmade and is just precious and different and simple. I draped “garland” over the half-opened armoire which is really just yarn, ribbon and burlap I had. It adds the right touch of whimsy.
A little scene – or vignette. One of our boys’ old mini toy trucks carrying a sisal tree. And more berries. So sweet.
I hope you enjoyed some of my holiday decorations. And I hope this season you choose to slow down and cherish the moments. Things might not be perfect and you might have to break a few traditions so you have the time {and the energy} to truly celebrate. Truly.
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