It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE season, and I am so excited once again to experience it with my two girls. I love the traditions, the decorations, the food, the drinks (gingerbread latte, anyone?), the family time … everything! And this year, I am trying some new things … as well as gathering ideas for future seasons (you can only do so much!) I’ve already mixed it up and started decorating a week earlier than usual (that’s right, before Thanksgiving!) and even shopped for some items back in October (couldn’t pass up 40% off AND the pick of the litter at Hobby Lobby!)
I wanted to share a few of the trends I’m already seeing this year and which ones I’m trying out. I also rounded up some of my favorite holiday decor items from around the web for easy peasy shopping for you couch potatoes (totally teasing … I love online shopping!) And this is just in time for Cyber Monday so maybe you’ll find some good deals!
- Live garland and fake trees. So this kind’ve makes me laugh because it seems like more and more people have been going the artificial tree route over the years, yet I’m seeing so much live garland around homes and gosh is it ever gorgeous! I totally get the appeal of a fake tree … one time purchase, always looks green and fresh, you can put it out in September (if that’s your thing) … but I just can’t get on board with it yet. Growing up, we always picked out fresh trees. And yes, some years they died before Christmas, but it’s all part of the fun, right? And that wonderful pine smell that fills your house! Anyway, we’ll be picking out a fresh tree once again this year, but waiting until the second week of December or so. A dead tree truly is a Christmas mood killer! And the fresh garland? I would absolutely love to try this out, but it’s so pricey and I need to learn more about caring for it and keeping it alive as long as possible. So perhaps research this year and implement next year!
- Stocking placement. Okay, so I’ve always hung my stockings in front of the fireplace. But lately I’m seeing them bunched together on one side, and I’m loving the look! I tried it out myself, and I think it’s going to stick.
- Classic, bright or neutral colors. I love ’em all, though my current design choice has been neutrals in one room and bright colors in the other. I love gold and silver for Christmas – so classy and pretty, but the bright colors are so much fun with kids. We went with bright colored stockings from Pottery Barn a couple years ago, and I love them. Target’s Opalhouse line has tons of colorful decor items this season. Here is the pom garland from that line seen in my picture above.
- Bottle Brush Trees. They’re everywhere this year and I can’t get enough! Target keeps putting them out in their dollar section, World Market has the cutest retro ones and even Kohl’s came out with a set from the Lauren Conrad line that’s just dreamy.
- A basket instead of a tree skirt. I’ve been eyeing this look, and hope to try it out this year. I’m sure it works much better with a fake tree, but I’m willing to try. I found a large basket at World Market that I’m hoping will work if I line it with a paper bag. We’ll see!
- Decorating kid spaces. Growing up, I don’t recall putting up any decorations in my room (which is kind’ve surprising because I was obsessed with Christmas as a kid), but my brother always had a little tree in his room. I see mamas decorating their kids’ rooms and playrooms now, and I think it’s so festive. How fun to cheer up their spaces? So this year, I jumped on the bandwagon and bought Chloe a little white tree with all kinds of colorful (lots of pink!) decorations as well as an advent garland for her teepee.
- Advent calendars. This is one of those things I love gathering ideas about. I’ve seen some of the most creative advent ideas, and I’m not yet ready to pick one. But I will next year! I’ve seen opening a book each day, having a little wooden house with numbered doors, a garland with pouches filled with candies or other goodies … and so many more. I think doing some kind of advent is so fun for kids and helps with the anticipation of December 25th.
- Annual Traditons. I love hearing about other family’s traditions. Some of my favorites include moving the wisemen from the nativity around the house until they find baby Jesus, reading a Christmas book under the tree each night, opening up new pajamas on Christmas Eve, making gingerbread houses, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Day and Christmas movie nights. And yep, some of these were traditons I did growing up! We also loved celebrating St. Nicholas Day on December 6th … a Dutch holiday where we put out a shoe on the porch and it’s filled with goodies the next morning. We’ll definitely be continuing old traditions and looking for new ones to start this year.
Alright, time for my shopping roundup! These are some of my favorite holiday decor items from here and there … as always, happy shopping!
This pinecone and succulent tree! How cool is this? It comes in a few sizes.
These slightly retro yarn wrapped trees. The colors are so fun!
These little bottle brush trees in festive colors.
These bottle brush trees in the most unique color combo. This comes as a set of 3! You can see how I styled mine in my photo above.
My favorite set of stockings! We have these and they are so colorful and fun. And of course the personalization option can’t be beat!
This wreath that feels so light and natural.
These white ceramic houses. They are oh so pretty!
This garland in classic Christmas colors. Perfect for the tree, the mantle or a shelf. 
These mugs are just darling! I want to sip hot apple cider or cocoa in these all season long!
Loving this garland and this adorable stuffed snowman from Target! I couldn’t save the images, but I wanted to add these to my list. And let’s be honest – you can walk into Target any day and find a million darling items, am I right?
Enjoy decorating this year!
xoxo,
Heidi
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