I barely got ready, and now it's over!

As the holidays started approaching I heard all this buzz in blogland about christmas tours, and linky parties, and all sorts of holiday festivities amongst our community of online friends. I was stoked...I couldn't wait to join in all the fun.

Alas, I became the worst blogger in history as my life overwhelmed me and I just did NOT get things done when I wanted to. Nor did I get nearly as MUCH done as I wanted to. But I did get some simple decorating done, and also I think my tree this year is probably my favorite one I've done (I like to switch it up, so I have several different color schemes/themes). Since I didn't get everything done and photographed in time to party with y'all - you get to see it now, before I take it down!

This hangs on the wall above my cd/movie rack where I normally have our name plaque and Family Proclamation hung. For a before pic click here.



If you look closer, you can see these are "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" snowmen. I fell in love with this print a few years back and my mom surprised me with it for Christmas that year! It's one of my most favorite things to unpack and hang when the holidays roll around.

Another favorite of mine is this set of sparkly spiral wire trees. They are super sparkly, you just can't tell in the picture. They feel so twinkly and wintery!

Switching up this end table decor was fun, easy, and my favorite - CHEAP! To see 2 before pictures, click here. I switched out the fall picture with this adorable stitchery made by Tanielle. I simply wrapped the 2 books with pretty Christmas paper, and replaced the fall filling in my giant hurricane with giant pinecones, red glass balls, and tied with a gold ribbon - all 3 of which I already had! I love how it turned out.

Remember the baby Jesus plaque I did here for Mod Podge Mania? My 2nd end table was the perfect spot to display it. I also took this glass and vase that I had on the mantle filled with fall goodies, and filled them with small ornaments instead. Simple, but still pretty - I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Nativity sets. Weird, I know, since I'm so religious. But I've rarely seen one that captures what I imagine it was like on that night. There is always something off in either the expressions, or postures, or something, of the figurines. Like I said - I know I'm weird. But this set was a gift from my mom, and I am glad to have a representation of what I am truly celebrating displayed in my home.

One of my favorite spots to decorate of course - the fireplace! I love hanging our stockings, made by my mom, and decorating the mantle and hearth is always a fun challenge.

I usually replace whatever picture I have hanging with a wreath. You may remember me mentioning this beautiful picture I received as a gift, it's one of my favorites. It's never coming down! Plus I have the lettering up now...so I decorate AROUND this wall decor now!

The nutcracker collection was started by my mom (are you noticing a theme here? Yeah, my mom is obsessed with holiday decor!), and when she had so many decorations she didn't have room to display her nutcrackers anymore, she passed them on to me...and we have been adding to the collection a little each year. I did not display all of them this year.

Now, on to what you've all been waiting for (if you're even still reading!), the tree! This year I decided to do a really traditional, Christmasy red and green tree. I like to either go elegant, with sparkly, fancy decorations, or fun, with more novelty ornaments. This year I decided to do both!

We have a HUGE tree and we have to really squish it into the corner of our living room and it still overwhelmes...but we love it!

I have some new stuff that I snagged after Christmas last year at Big Lots, I paid like $1 per box! I loved these little penguin snow-globe type ornaments. I also got a set of the same style with reindeer.

These are great big glittery balls that came in a set of 9. I did 3 bundles of red/green/silver, and just attached them together with craft wire, then nestled them among the branches and secured them to the limb with more wire. I LOVE this look!

My favorite addition to my tree this year came after I had it all decorated. But I made sure to make room for this beautiful, sparkly monogram ornament made for me by Vivienne. I love it! Thank you so much.

And now it's time to take it all down! Even though I was stressed out of my mind this year, Ultimately we had one of our most wonderful Christmas's ever. I am so grateful for the warmth and love I felt from family and friends, near and far. I am especially grateful for the gift of a tiny baby who changed the world forever. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.