After holding off on all of the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas ruckus, I was able to allow myself to give in (happily) the day after Thanksgiving. We “kidnapped” my youngest sister Taylor on Thanksgiving and she helped Johnny and I put up the lights outside. Later, she and my other sister Sarah along with friends Melissa and Jason helped us get the tree decorated.
We were so excited to pull out all of our decorations because we have been stockpiling them for a few years and we actually get to use them now that we have our own place. It was like Christmas morning opening one of the bins that I haven’t looked in since we filled it with Christmas stuff after the end of the season last year. We bought a bunch of 90% off clearanced Christmas merchandise at Target and Big Lots last year and put it all away, and I forgot that we had a lot of the stuff we had.
As for the outside, Johnny had big plans. He bought one of those music-light show kits last year for like, half off (where music plays and the lights flash in synch (kinda like this but not as high tech). So, he’s been excited all year to get to set it up. It’s pretty cool I guess, but I’m more the traditional type when it comes to stuff like that. I’d rather have the lights just on, but I’ll let Johnny have his fun.
So, with all that said, here’s a recap of our day in pictures:
Hanging up the first lights outside.
Taylor excited to stretch out the icicles.
Bin full of Christmas lights.
Johnny teetering on the ladder for the greater good of Christmas decorating.
Roxie looking on from the inside.
Workin' the gutter clips!
Johnny and Taylor planning how they're gonna light up the arbor.
Setting up the yard ornaments.
Johnny trying to figure out where the busted bulb is.
One of about 10 pictures Taylor took of the Nucracker yard ornament.
Complete! A shot of the lights on one side of the house.
And the other side...
Taylor pumped to be putting our Charlie Brown Christmas tree together!
Johnny posing with our three choices for tree toppers. We got these 90% off at Target last year and figured, why not just buy all three?
Topper 1: that's not gonna work.
Topper 2: a little better, but that's still not gonna work with our Charlie Brown tree.
Topper 3: I think we have a winner.
Johnny getting aggressive with Thanksgiving leftovers.
Roxie looks interested in the commotion while Johnny holds up a skull that I threw in one of the bins after Halloween.
Look at all the stuff!
My Grand Concertina that Johnny gave me for Christmas last year. It plays a ton of songs along with the chimes on the top as the "skaters" spin around in the front.
Out with the fall and in with the Christmas!
Roxie, under our Christmas wreath, watching the action outside.
Sarah enjoying her adult beverage and Taylor with her glass of apple cider getting ready to decorate the tree.
Everyone eating dinner before we decorated the tree.
Skyler scooting around the kitchen...
Johnny and I putting the first ornament on the tree together.
Decorating the tree!
More decorating action.
The finished product!
A close up of the tree. We had probably a few too many ornaments for the size of the tree, but oh well - it just makes it look more festive.
The garland and stockings on our entertainment center.
Centerpiece on the dinner table.
Tree lights around the laundry area door.
I’m so excited about this Christmas season. I hope your decorating goes well!
Posted on November 30th, 2008 by Hollie
Filed under: Holiday, Life
Pretty decorations! We may have three trees, but you all totally have way more decor throughout your house and outside! We might put up a strand of lights on our porch at some point, but that’ll probably be it for outdoor decor.
Aww how fun! You totally rocked a ton of decorating! Our house is so pathetic in comparison!