I love decorating the house for Christmas, going through the boxes and sorting through the decorations we've collected through the years. Starting with the Christmas tree, I make my way through the house leaving a little sprinkle of Christmas in each room. This year "It's A Wonderful Life" was on TV the afternoon I decorated, putting me in the perfect mood. It just doesn't seem like Christmas without George Bailey and the folks of Bedford Falls.
There are a lot of my decorations that find themselves in the same spot every year and others that get moved around for a few years until I find the perfect spot. Many of my favourites are the pieces I've made through the years. I thought I'd add some photos of my Christmas decor for some decorating inspiration.
My mom loved decorations with cardinals on them, which you can see she has passed down to me. Their striking red colour against a backdrop of snow and evergreens makes them a perfect accent for this wreath which I hang on our back door.
I love using non-traditional flowers in my wreaths, and I've included some roses and hydrangeas in this one. I decided to use an antique door knocker to finish it off instead of the traditional bow.
These are an old pair of skates that I purchased at a garage sale. I took them home and painted them, adding some jingle bells and gold laces. I took a vintage Santa image and wrapped him in a fur coat made out of quilt batting. I tucked in some pine cones, holly and (of course!) a cardinal to finish them off.
A number of years ago I found a set of Christmas chocolates with Advent countdown wrappers on them. I had always wanted to make my own Advent calender, so I held on to the wrappers long after the chocolates were gone. I finally used them last year to make this Advent calendar.
These silver glass ornaments look great in an antique wooden bowl I use as a coffee table centrepiece.
Christmas wouldn't be complete without my Charlie Brown Christmas collection. I found them at Hallmark and added a few each year. Each doll recites a classic line from the holiday special. I found the signature Charlie Brown tree on one of my trips to Hobby Lobby.
This huge wooden basket sits on top of a bookcase in our living room. I haven't used it in a number of years, but finally found the perfect spot for it.
I decoupaged a folk art picture of a Victorian skating scene to the front and finished it off with some real and glass pine cones.
Santa Paws (Theodore)
And last, but not least, my two favourite pups wanted to get in on the Christmas action. Believe me when I tell you, getting them to sit still long enough to pose is no small feat. I couldn't believe how well they cooperated this time--no wrestling or biting of costumes, no wiggling or squirming.
Aren't they adorable!
Gracie (doesn't she look like Max from the Grinch!)
Hopefully you're surrounded by all of your treasured holiday decorations by now, and counting down these last few hectic days before Christmas.
The days pass so quickly--
be sure to take time out to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the season.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Take care.....Marian xo
