Deck the Halls

I love decorating for the holidays.  It gets me in the holiday spirit and just makes me happy throughout the day to see a Christmas tree.  This year is our first Christmas in the new house and that meant new decorations.  I do a lot of "real" greenery because I just adore the smell of pine in the house.  Also I can change it up every year. :)

This is the front room.

This was the first year with a real tree.  While I loved the tree, I will be honest and say that it is much more difficult than an artificial tree. First it took us forever to get it to stand up straight.  Also the constant watering required and the dry needles that fall off from the lack of watering.  I might break down and do an artificial tree in here next year and cut down a small real tree for the kitchen.  Either way it did look very pretty.  This was "mom's tree."  I got to use all those gorgeous mercury glass, silver, gold and clear glass ornaments that I love.  I wasn't sure how Jax would deal with such a breakable tree, but so far he just stares at it and hasn't tried to pull anything off. 

Speaking of breakable things, we also have in this room the nativity scene.  I love the simplicity of this one that was given to us as a wedding present.  I didn't think about where I put it though and it is within reach of the Jax man.  He loves the sheep and likes to carry them around so we will see how long this lasts out within reach of a toddler. 

Even the staircase got a little festive this year. 

The dining room.  I like to have lots of decorations in here because this is where we will have Christmas dinner with our parents.  The crystal bowl in the center was given to me by my grandmother and I fill it with flowers or greenery for every party I have.  I love it.

The family room is ready for Santa!

I teared up when we placed all four stocking on the fireplace mantle.  I can't believe we have two little boys this Christmas. I purchased all four of these stockings several years ago because I knew I would want ours to match our kids.  The two extra now finally have names on them and I absolutely love it.

Just a small arrangement on the kitchen table so that it wasn't left out.

The kitchen also included our countdown to Santa!

The basement has our family tree.  This tree is filled with all the ornaments that Jasper and I have collected over the years.  It also has all the bells Jasper has received from his parents over the years and all the family ornaments my parents have given us.  I supplemented this tree with many "kid friendly" ornaments towards the bottom.  Since our tv room is right off of the play room I didn't want to worry about Jax exploring this tree. 

Jax was more interested in the train that we set up beneath the tree.

 Also in the basement is the decorations that remind me the most of the change in our lives.  Prior to having kids I really didn't like the more child like decorations.  In our old house you found everything to be very formal in golds and reds, and also very breakable.  This year I happily went out and bought a wreath made from balls of yarn and a big snowman that represents all that I didn't like in decorations.  Now I love it and the snowman was a big hit with the 20 month and younger crowd.  We are at a different stage in our lives and I am fully embracing it.  

 

 Now the house is ready so let the Christmas fun begin!