Welcome to Christmas at our house. It’s a little crazy in our house this time of year. But we make time for what matters (though Big Daddy and I might disagree on labeling a wreath as something that ‘matters.’) and we’re really getting into the spirit of things around here.
Now, we do things a little differently in my house (Big Daddy and I will agree on that! — he raises an eyebrow at some of the things I do) but I’m sure you’ll find it all works together wonderfully for its purpose. 🙂
First off, we decorate a little at a time, throughout the entire month. The first thing we did this year was our tree — of course! Every year on December 1st, we pull out our Christmas stuff, throw on a little Christmas music, and get to work on the tree. We’ve still got a few things to add, but here’s what it looks like so far.
Yes, it’s an artificial tree. *sigh* Maybe some day we’ll have a real tree. At least for one Christmas.
In addition to our Christmas tree, we also have our Nativity set, which we do as a traveling nativity. We have a stable with a cow:
A shepherd and a sheep: Joseph, Mary and a donkey:
And three wise men:
We also have an angel and a baby Jesus in a manger, but they don’t come out until Christmas Eve. I’ll have to take another photo once they all “come together.”
Now, living in the south, we don’t have a fireplace or a mantle. We also have neither a bar, nor anything else that hangs out a far enough distance at a reasonable enough height, so sadly we don’t get to hang our stockings by the fire with a cute stocking hook. One might wonder just exactly where our stockings go? (Yes, we do have those out already because they double as decorations since our decorations are few.)
Seen here, my creative solution. From right to left: Big Daddy, Good Momma, The Princess, The Drama Queen, The Baby Boy
This year we have an Advent calendar that we made. The girls have really enjoyed using this. Inside are activities to do, like making Christmas cookies, decorating, and reading our favorite Christmas story.
The rest of our decorations aren’t up yet, as I’ve mentioned. We’ll be adding a wreath, a garland. Possibly some lighted candy canes outside. We just keep going and going until Christmas finally gets here. We’ll read this and this, watch this, and this, and on Christmas Eve, we’ll read this:
Luke 2:4-11 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!!
Follow the tour of homes at BooMama’s.
Lovely tour! I love the Advent calendar- I was wanting to do a homemade one but was low on ideas… that’s a great one! We ended up just getting one from the store!
Wow, what a wonderful tour! Loved all the links and your tree is gorgeous and your nativity is adorable. 🙂
Thank you so much for inviting us in and sharing your beautiful things… and have a very Merry Christmas!
enjoyed your tour! your advent calendar looks great.
Your home looks great and I just love your advent calendar! Thanks for letting me in! Merry Christmas!
Your tree is very pretty and I love the traveling Nativity! Thanks for the tour and have a very Merry Christmas!
I really love your travelling nativity! What a great idea! Have a very merry Christmas!
Lovely tour. I love all the little stockings. I too have fake trees but Im very happy to have them. I am totally tired of the dirty real ones! I have my pics up. Feel free to take a peek.
Your home is very pretty-thank you for sharing with us! Merry Christmas!
your tree looks incredible!
love the traveling nativity and the advent calendar!
Beautiful tree. thank you for the tour.
Really nice, and this travelling nativity idea is way cool. I’ve heard lots of folks doing that, but I always can’t hold myself back—I like seeing the pieces all together! 🙂
Very nice and inviting. Loved the stockings.
What a FANTASTIC advent calendar! What a GREAT idea!!!
I am glad I am not the only non-mantel person in this world! I actually think from now on (or until we get a house WITH a fireplace) I will hang the stockings on the corners of the bedroom doors. Right now they are just on the staircase.
Thanks for the looksie!
I love the idea of watching movies on christmas eve! Thanks so much for the idea, love the house thanks for having me over
Your tree is beautiful and I love your Advent wreath..very creative! Thanks for having us over and Merry Christmas!
Kelli
Your tree looks so pretty! And that is a cute advent calendar, looks like fun. Thanks for sharing your decorations.
Merry Christmas!
First of all I like your site’s description. I had forgotten this verse. Thank you for reminding me to look it up. I also like the color combination and the template:original.
Now, if I may say so, my favorite bit of decoration is the Advent calendar. Lovely. And thank you for the how to. With God’s will we may try it next year.
Thank you for letting us in your home. Enjoy these holy days.
Blessings,
Irene