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I've gone back and forth over the years when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I think it depends on how busy life is at the time. My interest in Christmas has grown over the last couple of years since becoming a mother. It's difficult to ignore any holiday, but Christmas seems to the one that cannot be overlooked. My oldest (he's 3) actually came home from school one day before Halloween and asked me how soon until Christmas. (Time is a lost concept on kids.) I explained there were other holidays we needed to celebrate before Christmas. I then began to regularly reminding him Halloween, All Saint's Day (Day of the Dead), and Thanksgiving needed to happen before would be putting up a Christmas tree and begin observing Advent. Fortunately/unfortunately a child's memory is short and usually tunes in on what is in front of them. We made it through those holidays, plus election day (a holiday of sorts depending on who wins) and Veteran's Day, and the month of December barreled in as our Thanksgiving hangovers subsided. Let the decorating begin!
We hung things, decorated trees, and even started making a few things, such as an Advent calendar. The calendar is still a work in progress, and my goal is to finish it by the time Christmas arrives. (Advent calendar WIPS below.) Over the last couple of years we have added a new tree to our decorations. We now have six. I'm not sure how this plan will work out long-term, but so far it's been successful. This year we put up the vintage tree we found in the cedar closet of our old house in Pittsburgh. It seemed appropriate to bring it with us when we moved, so we could keep a little Pittsburgh with us. It doesn't make up for being away from our wonderful family that lived right next door, but it's sweet, sentimental, and beautiful. (I've posted a couple of trees, including the one to the right featuring my architect and oldest kiddo.) With the tree came vintage glass decorations, and I hung up as many as I could. I hope to add to the tree next year - maybe some hand-beaded and/or felt garland and a tree skirt. I've made a commitment to my making schedule to add at least one handmade item a year to our Christmas decor, and right now a tree skirt for this tree is high on the list.
Speaking of handmades, tonight is the Austin Modern Quilt Guild holiday party. We are supposed to bring a handmade sewing accessory for the white elephant gift exchange. I put together a little table mat with pockets to go under a sewing machine and a matching pin cushion. (see pictures in gallery below.) Of course, I waited until the last minute to put something together. Fortunately, the guild had a Pinterest page with some examples of gifts we could make. I liked the quick tutorial from How Joyful to put my gift together and wrapped it with some Christmas-themed fabric. Who doesn't like reindeers and Winnebagos? I'm still getting to know the guild and its members. So far I like everyone I have met, and they are a very talented bunch. I have a feeling there will be some lovely white elephant gifts tonight.
Stay tuned for some embarrassing family photos we took as we tried to capture that perfect family shot for our annual Christmas card...
Stay tuned for some embarrassing family photos we took as we tried to capture that perfect family shot for our annual Christmas card...
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