Christmas Time is Here

Christmas is upon us in full force!  As previously mentioned, I've been super jazzed about the holidays this year (there's no explanation whatsoever for that except that perhaps I'm just really looking forward to what's to come next year).  This year I wanted to change up the look of our holiday decor a little bit.  Typically it's just the standard array of decorations that we've collected over the years - none of which match or make any decorating sense whatsoever :)  So this year I wanted to spruce the place up a bit!  I spent countless hours on my new favorite website (pinterest) looking for improved decorating ideas.  I think we did pretty good :)  The best part is that MOST (not all) of the decorations were from the Dollar Store of all places!  If you get there early enough, they have an amazing assortment of fabulous holiday finds :)

view of our living room from the dining room

our 2011 mantel

2011 red and gold Christmas tree

our poinsettia and pinecone garland.  I'm especially proud of this project :)  I had found a similar 6' garland at Hobby Lobby on sale (50% off) for $30.  I knew it was going to take a least 3 strands to cover our staircase and spending $90 was completely out of the question!  So I went to Wally world instead and bought an 18' pre-lit garland and 3 6' poinsettia/pinecone garlands, strung them together and voila . . . a $90 concept for a $25 sticker price.  Not a bad compromise at all!

our breakfast nook ready to welcome our guests for dinner

our first Christmas dinner party with our "new" dining room furniture

first time in 8 years we've been able to display our Christmas china!  This means a lot to me as it was a specific gift from my parents when I was first married.

just another view of the living room/foyer from the dining room

All in all, I think we did a pretty good job with the limited resources we had to spare.  It sure it nice and cozy to come home too as well!  It's really beautiful all lit up!  I just love the magic of the holidays :)

It's a DIY Kind of Christmas!

I don't know why, but for some strange reason I am super excited about the holiday season this year.  I know it's not gonna be the same - there won't really be presents, both sides of the family are under a lot of stress, and it will be my first christmas ever without my dad - but despite all of that, the magic of christmas is still in the air!  I decided to change up our christmas decor this year to something hopefully a little more snazzy (to be displayed in a later post).  I've been spending a lot of time on favorite blogs and pinterest to help gain a little inspiration.  There were a few little projects that I just loved, so I decided to give them a try over the weekend.  I apologize for the bad pictures, wasn't really planning to post them so they're not the best quality or angle :(

First Project: The Ornament Wreath

I loved everything about this project!  It was SO easy and the best part is that all the supplies needed I either already had or I purchased at the Dollar Store!  All you do is take a wire coat hanger and start threading the christmas ornaments onto it until it's nice and full.  Then twist the ends at the very top and add some ribbon so you can hang it from the door hook.  Voila!  Thats it!  It cost me about $10 in supplies and about 1 hour of my time :)  I plan to hang this wreath on the front door and then put 2 more on the french doors in our dining room :)

Second Project: Christmas Canvases



I saw this idea on "Thrifty Decor Chic" - one of my favorite blogs to follow.  The concept is simple.  Take 3 canvases, cover them in Christmas fabric, then spraypaint wooden letters in a corresponding color (I chose a glittery green).  I believe I will also frame them in thick white frames (minus the glass) and then we'll hang them on the wall above the mantel/fireplace.  This project cost me about $32 (a little more pricey - but all the associated costs are variable so you can make it cheaper if you need to) and about 2 hours of my time (mostly because of the time spent spraypainting and drying).  Can't wait to see how it looks over the mantel!

Third Project: Framed Christmas Prints

While I was wasting my time one day perusing through the countless ideas on Pinterest, I came across this idea.  The concept here is that you print off some Christmas prints (my favorite is the one on the right from "Elf"), matte/frame them, and then hang them on the wall using corresponding grossgrain ribbon (haven't done that part yet).  The prints were free b/c I was able to just print them directly off the website, the frames (11x14) are from the dollar store, and the mattes (8x10) are from Wal Mart.  This project cost me $9 and about 2 hours of time.  The frames did not come in white, I had to paint them - but it saved me a ton of money instead, so it was worth the extra time involved.  Love it!

I am really looking forward to getting all of these new projects out in the house and seeing how it all comes together!  Bring on the Christmas season!