They arrived in my mailbox in November. Martha, Southern Living and BH&G all inviting me to deck the halls abundantly. Visions of garland, homemade cookie ornaments, and life size nativities danced in my head. “Even though I live in Florida, I CAN create a winter wonderland in my living room with styrofoam, coffee filters, and glitter. Lots and lots of glitter!” I thought to myself.
Thrift Store Sparkle :: Work In Progress
With coffee in hand I began to plan, until my real world life intruded into my Martha Stewart winter wonderland dreams. I have 4 beautiful reasons to want to sprinkle Christmas all over my home. And I have 4 beautiful reasons why that is not practical. One of my 4 beautiful reasons is a decoration pirate. I decorate, and she pirates the decorations. I find them in her Barbie dream house. {relate?} One of my 4 beautiful reasons would, if given the chance, eat every bit of my winter wonderland. {true}. So, what is a girl with Martha (Stewart) dreams to do?
KISS – Keep it simple, Stacey. For me, this means choosing about 4 focal points. This year, I’m focusing on the tree, kitchen, Advent table, and my front door.
Simple Kitchen Table Decor :: I've used these jingle bells all over my house!
Look for REASONABLE inspiration. (I fell in love with the photo below from Houzz.com. I used it as a guide when decorating my front door. I also fell in love with the doors, but you have to REASONABLE, remember?)
Shop. This can be done anywhere, like while you are picking up milk at Walgreen’s at 10:00pm. (Keep your eyes open in unlikely places! You might score big, like the cute red sweater stocking I found. I also saw one similar to this at Land’s End for about 4x’s the price!)
Welcome :: Our front door.
My favorite place to have my Chair Time
Let the kids join the fun. Lower standards, give them them the box of ornaments, stand back and enjoy. (You can always move the ornaments later after they have gone to bed. Yes, I did that and they did not notice. I noticed the editing to my chalkboard writing, though. I’m blaming the decoration pirate for this one, too.)
Our ABC Advent Table :: 8 years of tradition & memories
Most of all, I need to remember that it is my heart that needs to be abundantly filled with the Christ child. This takes preparation and planning, too. I’ll talk about that more in tomorrow’s post. For now, I’m going to go see if I can find my thrift store Christmas sled. I think I saw Barbie riding in it earlier being pulled by My Little Pony.
For part 2, click {here}
**Now it is your turn! Share your Christmas inspirations and how you bring them into your real life? I’d love to hear about it, leave me a comment!
***Be sure to join the Nester for her Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 13. I can’t wait!
Hahahahaha decoration pirate! I love it and am snagging it for one of my own “beautiful reasons”! I can TOTALLY relate!!
I thought I was the only one with a pirate! Feel free to use it! May you find all your decorations before Christmas Eve!!! 🙂
I, too, love the decoration pirate (and have 1 of my own) and the decoration eater – do we live in the same house? Great focus – 4 focal points. Thanks for the encouragement to remember the “why” and the “how-to-get-it-done-practically”. 🙂
It is so nice to hear that! Funny, how we think our kids are the only ones who do such things. But, I’m learning to breathe and enjoy those moments, too. I know we will miss it some day! Have a blessed Christmas!
I was totally expecting some Pirate-related Christmas decor, which would be completely acceptable, and encouraged in my family, because our university’s mascot is the Pirate! I can picture your adorable Decoration Pirate pillaging the halls — love it! And love the reminder that less on the outside often creates the opportunity for more on the inside!
That is hilarious Caroline! If I find any Pirate decor, I’m totally sending it your way! And she is pretty adorable, my only blond haired blue eyed swashbuckling pirate!
Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope I get to see your house! One Nowak tradition is to set up a Christmas village underneath the trees. We have buckets of village pieces in the attic, including some sentimental pieces from dave’s late grandfather. Since we have limited floor space and two small kids, I placed the sentimental pieces on top of the bookshelves (which we moved out into the living area). The kids also have their own trees that they can decorate however they like ( with in reason)!
Ok, I need to come to your house! Have you started cookie baking yet…cause I’m coming when you do! Love the little trees in their room idea!
Stacey, I loved this post. What a great reminder about where to keep our focus this month (and all year!). 🙂 Your front door is just beautiful!! I don’t have a decorations pirate, but I do have a 5 year old who likes to *help* me by rearranging. :s I’m visiting from The Nester’s Tour of Homes. I hope you’ll stop by my blog to say hi. 🙂
So glad you stopped by! I am overwhelmed by all the lovely ‘links’! Heading over your way right now!
Love your entryway! The stockings are so cute.
I can so appreciate your allowing the kids to help and lowering your standards. I do that with my husband already so I am on to the change it back when they are not looking tactic and they will never notice. ( Just kidding) (not really).
Your jingle bells are adorable I love your style!
{Smiling} as long as he doesn’t catch on, you will be fine!
Merry Christmas! So glad you stopped by today,
Stacey
Hello, I am blog hopping today and just decided to stop by your blog.
Your decorations are BEAUTIFUL!!
Please feel free to stop by either or both of my blogs and a follow would be much appreciated.
Jessicas Lil Corner is my family blog at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com
So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE custom blog designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com
Have a very blessed Wednesday!! :0)
Thanks Jessica! I’ll be sure to stop by real soon!
Very nice – thanks for sharing 🙂
Love this! I find myself drooling over cute home decor ideas and then I have to think “what is REALLY important”
Hi Katie! I think for me it is about being ok with the season of life that I’m in. Keeping it simple is way more realistic for me. The girls still loved it, because for them it is really about the big tree, and the little trees I let them each have for a night light. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing your Christmas decorations. I really enjoyed the tour. I especially like your ABC Advent table. Such a cute idea. ~~Rhonda
Thanks Rhonda, now I’m you have me thinking about Christmas! So nice to meet you! I stopped by your blog and oh your garden is amazing! Blessings to you!