The Different & Same Christmas House

I decorated the same way that I always do. I got out exactly two boxes of decorations (mainly ornaments) and one bag of lights, and I found new ways to use my favorite decorations: free tree trimmings. The decorating part looks somewhat different each year, but I love that it always feels the same way. Warm. Exciting. Beautiful. 

We spend two days getting the tree/lights/ornaments set, then I spend the rest of the season sprinkling Christmas throughout the house. This year I don't want to stop, and I'm even trying to squeeze in some time to make some DIY ninja turtle ornaments for my son. Someone needs to shoot me with a decorating tranquilizer gun, because it's getting crowded up in here. I joke, but I've had the most fun building hype for the house. It doesn't help that after I make something, my kids celebrate and tell me how cool it looks. Fuel to my jolly ole fire. I promise that I won't put up anymore decorations after the 23rd. 

Here's how I did things differently this year, but it's very much the same as years past (2012, 2011, 2010):

In the crazy people world, I would totally put a fresh tree in each of the kids' rooms. However, I settled for some thrown together wreaths. Burl and Fern each got to pick out their own color ribbon, and bless their hearts, that made them feel so big.

I didn't leave our room out of the mix. I love smelling real Christmas, so I added a vase of evergreen and a massive wreath to our room.  

Tree. Presents. Stockings. Mantle. Boom. And this year, hold my earrings, I used RED. I'm usually a sage-white-brown kind of girl, but red is starting to feel a little more right around here. 

This banner is a gift from a sweet friend last year and hangs almost in my face as I wash dishes. 

Speaking of dishes, I changed out the dishes exactly 13 days before Christmas. In years past, it seemed too big of a job and a little bit silly. With two excited toddlers, it made perfect sense and took me about three minutes to do. The kids act like I'm serving them food on gold.

Our den got a seasonal change, which was a nice change. It's where we spend a lot of our time having pretend parties, ninja fighting, and folding laundry, so we "needed" some more. IdidnotjustsayNEEDED. 

It was John's idea: "let's get a second tree while the kids are napping and surprise them." For $18, I ran to Walmart. I even got some of the oversized multi-colored lights to use. I used to think they were tacky, but I'm in love and I think I'm going to ask them to marry me. The kids are entranced with the five colors, so obviously I'm a lock.

There are two little crafty projects in the picture above. Fleece pillow from leftover fleece. It doesn't match the flow, but it is plaidtastic. Next are those cute little stars. Cardstock, gold spray, rough looking rope, masking tape. I used those things to make my own version of this, which Burl was able to help me do the hot glue gun part. Wild times and warm fuzzies.

We call this garland Charlie Brown's Christmas Garland. It was my first try at garland. Even though it's pitiful, there is a lot of room for improvement next year. (And cute little footed-pajama Fern with her purse!)

It's different than years past, but my house feels exactly the same as it always does. We have more friends over. Our old windows get foggy when we boil a pot of water. We're inside trying to stay warm and bright to fight the cold-if it wasn't for Christmas, I'm not sure I could make it through the winter months. This is our home all doped up on peppermint and parties.

If you're new here, I mainly blog about simple adventures with my family, talk about my love affair and food heritage, and occasionally dwell on the pretty material things of life. For a longer explanation about myself and my blog, read here. Thank you for reading my blog.

Thank you for the Nester hosting the Christmas Tour Of Homes.