Deckin' the halls...and the tree

I love Christmas trees! I love all of the styles, colors, shapes, and sizes! I use to love live Christmas trees. But then I became pregnant with my first born and my morning sickness hit it's peak, when me and my husband put up our first Christmas tree. My pregnancy sinuses were just not agreeing with the "fresh pine aroma". I'd get a whiff of pine and the gag reflexes would begin to dance. My throat is tightening right now, just thinking about it. Needless to say... the tree was taken down and now I have to plug my nose whenever I walk by a fresh cut Christmas tree. Sad, I know.

What I love the most about Christmas trees are the ornaments. Whether it's a NY Yankees themed tree, or a Disney themed tree, each tree is chalk full of memories and stories.

I love that my tree consists of an array of ornaments. From handmade gingerbread men, glittery ornaments, to the Dark Lord himself...Darth Vader. The other day I was showing Cody our very first ornament. When me and Steve were engaged, my parents gave me and Steve an ornament of the LDS Bountiful Temple (the temple that we were married at). Our second ornament is from our honeymoon. It's a moose couple, snowmobiling. This ornament is ALWAYS placed high on the tree, due to little hands that like to take off the ornaments, at least 5 times a day!

(click on the pic to partake of the beauty, up close!)

My husband thinks I'm nuts with how much, and how long it takes me to decorate our home for Christmas. But I love it! And, he'll live. He loves me.

When I was younger, there were several houses that I visited during the Christmas season, that made a strong impression on me. They were decked out in Christmas garb, from the ceilings to the floors! They made me happy! They were exciting! They were so inviting and I knew the homeowners loved their homes!

That has been my goal...to make my home inviting.

Another fav of Christmas are the homemade projects that I love to make! It's a sickness. I must craft during the Christmas season!

Some more Christmas eye candy!

Stop by tomorrow...because I'm going to be giving away one of my handmade Christmas crafts!

Deckin' the halls

Christmas decorating has officially begun, at my home. And it has only taken 3 days. (Usually it takes two, but I've been feeling a little lazy lately).

My sister-in-law has been selling these banner kits and let me tell ya...I love them! Majority of the work is done for me and I don't have the clean up. Which is ALWAYS a plus in my book!

She sells the "Merry Christmas" kit for $13 un-assembled and $18 for assembled.

You can also buy a kit that only says "Christmas" for $10 un-assembled and $15 assembled.

The kits come with all of the ribbons, the papers (cut-out), and letters (cut-out). The instructions are super easy to follow, also!

Let me know if you would like a kit, and I'll place the order with her!

(click on images to gawk at the cuteness, up close!)

Some of my favorite things that I've been seeing and reading on the blogs lately, are all of the Christmas decorating house tours! I'm a sucker for a look-see in any one's home, anytime. Except for one of those homes on that A&E show, Hoarders. (shudder)

I'm lovin' these apothecary jars! Stick some fake gifts, or ornaments inside...magnificent!

See the crystal snowflake ornament? Yesterday I went to Rod Works. Which is trouble for me. I am physically incapable of leaving that store with out buying something. It's a sickness.

Well, anyways...this crystal snowflake beckoned me. It lured me in with it's shiny goodness. The tramp!

Oooooooo! Awwwwww!

More Christmas eye-candy to come!

And a give-away! It is gift giving season.