Another task we needed to complete before Cale’s arrival was decorating and getting ready for Christmas. I know that once Cale arrives, my energy and attention will be focused on my babies and not on my house. However, it’s important to me that Christmas is special for my kids. So Steve and I got a head-start on the holidays.
The living room sans Christmas tree – We sold our Christmas tree when we moved to Memphis, since we didn’t have room to store it. Last year, we used Claire’s little tree in our living room. This year we’re going to get a live tree, so we’re going to wait until after Thanksgiving to get it and put it up.
Mickey Mouse cookies and milk for Santa set and a snowman flying an airplane
Christmas tree “jack-in-the-box” and snowman Mr. Potato Head
Christmas-themed stuffed animals and toys
Christmas books
I also know that I will have no desire to hit the crowded malls with a newborn and a two-year-old to shop for those “oh-so-perfect” Christmas gifts. So I have finished my Christmas shopping and wrapping. Now we just need to put up the tree and the train.
My Santa collection (including Cale’s train Advent Calendar)
Perhaps my favorite Christmas decorations - our stockings. My Nanny (my mom’s mom) made these for us a couple of years ago. She is currently working on Cale’s. Since we have no fireplace in our apartment, I bought this stocking hanger last year.
The stockings and the sled are hung on the wall above the sofa in the living room. (This sled is the one my brothers and I used every snowfall while growing up. It’s a fast one!)
My Christmas cookie cutters are hung in the doorway between my kitchen and pantry. Fortunately the ceilings are high enough here that Steve doesn’t bump his head on them when walking through.
The top of my fridge is decorated too – with mercury glass Christmas trees and Macy’s parade ornaments
My dining room
My table centerpiece – two silver-plated pedestal bowls filled with special ornaments and a beaded snowflake tree topper all placed on a Christmas lace doily that was a gift from my Aunt Marilyn
Hanging above my dining room table are my beaded snowflakes.
My Willow Tree Nativity and Claire’s Little People Nativity
And, of course, Claire’s room is decked out for the holidays.
Ornaments in her window
Her Christmas tree and Minnie stocking (She undecorates and redecorates her tree regularly. It’s impossible to keep them all perfectly placed. So this is a picture of what her tree looks like when she hangs the ornaments herself.)
Claire’s dresser
Claire’s Advent Calendar is full of prizes. I can’t wait until December 1st!!
I have also purchased and signed all of our Christmas cards. The envelopes have been addressed and stamped. We’re just waiting for Cale to arrive so that we can take family pictures and include them before dropping them in the mail.
Christmas – It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And I’m loving every second of it!!
