It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Hello Friends,

It’s that time of year— Christmas!!! — A time when we all take a break from the crazy world to be with loved ones. A time we all try to be our best selves. A new special and all too brief season begins; one of chilly weather but warm & inviting decor, yummy eats and drinks by a cozy fire. I love the decorations, the lights, the colours, the nostalgia, the memories of childhood when things were so much easier. Traditions are made and everyone slows down to put a little extra effort into getting together to enjoy homemade goodies, drink and be merry! I could go on and on but you all know what I mean!

I start getting inspired early. Usually when I’m overdosing on autumnal drinks and pumpkin baked goods – I’m also starting to look online, on Pinterest or in my old and new magazines for something new I want to try at Christmas. I have a magazine addiction – but it’s the worst at Christmas time! Any magazine with a beautiful Christmas tree on it and I’m proceeding to the check out. But I’m glad I start early because Christmas does come screaming up at us!

Decorating is a process I don’t enjoy but I love the results. I always start early so I can adjust and add as I feel throughout the weeks leading up to the holidays. Sometimes I power through and do it all in one night, other times I spread it over a week or so.

This year, I decided I would power through. First things first! Fuel! My mom spoiled me and bought me some Cobs bakery scones. They are scrumptious little pieces of heaven. I had two throughout the decorating evening (okay! okay! 2 and 1/2).

It takes about 3-4 hours to decorate my house. Dave always helps me with bringing the decorations out of storage – but then I’m left to my own devices. And I often overdo it and pull something  . This year it was my Achilles tendon – oh joy! Anyway, back to decorating.

I often start with the outside first. I just like to get that over and done before it gets super cold! I usually decorate my own planters because it’s cheaper and I do what I want. I buy or scavenge pine, cedar, magnolia, birch, etc. These are a few examples of what I’ve done in past years. Clearly I go for the natural look, LOL!

This year I bought my planters. The last few months in my life have been extra busy – I was feeling tired and not interested in making my own pots this year – so I swung into a nearby garden centre and bought some.

It was freezing that day – so I threw money at it and I’m so glad I did. They are beautiful and there are so many items I can reuse in future years when I go back to making my own. The little polar bears remind me of my Budward 🙂

I also still have my super cute front door mat from Urban Barn. Simple but adorable!

The tree in our Great Room is the show stopper. She gave me a hard time this year! All her original lights have burned out but I can’t remove the strings – so it’s a lovely mess of entangled strands of working and dead lights – ugh! When we first moved to this house I had my smaller 6′ slim tree that was in my condo. It did not work in this room! One of my parents neighbour’s was organizing a warehouse sale and I lucked out big time 6 years ago getting this baby for $200! She’s a 9′ Blue Spruce and she’s brought us joy for years. But I think this may be her last year. We’ll have to see. But I love the soft grey blue colour – it makes it look like it’s been dusted with snow without being a full-fledged flocked tree. If I do part with her I’ll be sad. But artificial trees are so amazing now – and there are so many I have my eye on!

Decorating the tree starts with the snowflake strands and ribbons – I feed those through first so they can back-set the standout decorations. This year I added some faux fur ribbon – it looks like snow! It’s so cute and it fills those big spaces inside the tree. I then add the icicles which I bought 11 years ago at Costco – they are amazing at catching the twinkle lights and deceptively add height to the tree. I then added my pine cone ornaments – that natural brown goes so nicely with the soft blue colour. This year I tucked in some huge pine-cones that I usually use in my outdoor planters. Then I add the big ornaments – giant Christmas balls are great for filling big voids. I have several gorgeous ones I’ve collected over the years and they really fill out the tree. Once all the fillers are on the tree, I add my special ornaments and then finally the crown topper. I usually get a new decoration each year. So I have a pretty cool collection of different ornaments. Here are some of my favourites:

Then there’s the garlands. I have two running up our banister and then one my desk. I love them! I think they make the front entry and hallway look so festive! Christmas lights are just the best!

It’s not fun putting up the garland, but like the tree…once you’ve done battle – it looks great!

This year I bought myself a 7′ slim tree for my home office. I work so late some nights that I get annoyed I can’t be in front of the tree, so I splurged during a 70% off wayfair.ca sale and bought it. I’m so glad I did!

Last year I had an oil painting done for our Great Room. It’s a Victorian Christmas scene, which for some reason I adore – so quaint and classy! I love everything about it – the dog, the clothes, the tree! so beautiful. I loved it so much I kept it up all year long. LOL! This year I’ll invest in a spring/summer painting….maybe :).

Once all the decorating is done I love to sit back and enjoy it. If I’m not hosting anything or out an at event I’m usually in front of the tree watching some cheesey Hallmark Christmas movies or some classics, like Bridget Jones’s Diary—- it IS a Christmas movie. LOL.

I won’t be making it to the Eaton Centre this year – sadly. Usually I go early December for an annual  Christmas dinner with good friends – but this year we’re not able to do it. I really miss it and the shopping before our annual dinners at Baton Rouge (which is famous for it’s ribs, so naturally we all order their chicken 🙂 ). I will miss out on the Disney Store and Pottery Barn this year! which I’m sure my wallet is grateful for.

I only do one or two attempts at shopping the last few years. It’s so stressful and online shopping is so easy and convenient. But I do love the Christmas Tree at the Eaton’s Centre. It’s a stunner! Absolutely massive. This picture doesn’t even capture the two lower levels. This tree is huge and gorgeous! I could stare at it for hours.

I love to wrap! I know some people hate it, I absolutely love it! and Christmas doesn’t really sink in for me until I’ve wrapped some gifts. And I also love wrapped gifts for me under the tree 😉

Ok, enough about Christmas. Hope you enjoyed. I’m sure I’ll have other posts up that are Christmas related.

 

More to come,

 

Tori