MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 

Pinterest Pickings - Christmas Traditions

Jeff and I are spending this Christmas here in Denver this year. For me, this is my first Christmas away from my family. I'm kind of sad not to be with everyone, but at the same time its kind of fun to think of having Christmas with just the two of us. It also really has me thinking about what Christmas traditions I want to have with our family. Here are some good links I found on Pinterest:

 

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here

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Here's a list of my favorites I found while perusing Pinterest:

1) Rudolf's Nose- Get a red ball, "Rudolf's nose," and hide it around the house. The person who finds it gets a prize and hides Rudolf's nose the next day.

2) Flour or toilet paper 'snow' fights.

3) Make a Christmas ornament with your kids each year, or have some kind of Christmas craft night.

4) SMORES!!

5) Every Friday night in December have a family Christmas movie night.

6) Mini-Van Express- Get your family in their pj's, get in the car and drive around to look at lights. Bring popcorn, treats, and hot coco. 

7) Make whip cream or shaving cream beards and take a picture.

8) Blanket forts.

And here's some traditions that Jeff and I have stolen from our families:

9)) Read/act out the Christmas Story from the bible on Christmas Eve.

10) Sleepover under the tree.

11) Open up a present of new Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

12) Food traditions: Christmas Eve Dinner- Ham, funeral potatoes, vegetables, rolls, olives, pie.
      Christmas breakfast: Rice pudding and sausage & egg casserole.
      Christmas dinner: Lasagna



And, I kept my promise to myself for yet another holiday. I made some new Christmas decorations for this year! Here's my house all done up for the Christmas with my new decorations:

 

My map inspired by Emily Henderson

 

 

 

Our tree, advent banner, and chalkboard

 

 

This picture was made from tissue paper from the dollar tree and a free reindeer printout.

 

Here's my new decorations I made this year.

Inspiration for these jarred trees were all over this year, from West Elm to Pinterest. All I had to do was save a few glass jars, purchase some trees for a couple dollars at Walmart, and add some glitter and Epsom salt. (I made the penguin snow globe a few years ago with my little sister at one of our craft nights.)

 I really wanted something for our fireplace, since I've never had a fireplace before. I kept falling in love with these trees at craft stores made with glitter, sequins, and feathers, but I wasn't about to spend $24 for decorative cones that were large enough to make an impact above the fireplace.

I made these for only $2. Yep two bucks. I got my inspiration online here, here and here. I bought 2 large poster boards and a package of white crepe paper streamers from The Dollar Tree. I already had the glitter and Epsom salt.

The two smaller trees are just fringed crepe paper glued on my poster-board-made-cone with glitter stuck on with some good old fashioned hairspray. The larger middle cone was covered with a mixture of glitter and Epsom salt with some Modge Podge. So simple, but I love the way they turned out. Can't beat it for the price.

So that is what's on my mind this Christmas season, missing my family, starting/continuing family traditions, and crafts. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Christmas!

Colorado Style

Do you ever feel like being in a different area gives you license to dress differently? Now that we moved to Denver I'm finding myself jones'n for clothes that I might not have typically gone for before. Not sure why, really? Maybe it's because I'm getting to experience a true fall & winter this year, or maybe it's the mountainous, green open spaces, but it makes me want to go shopping!!!! AND since Christmas is right around the corner, I think It'd be nice to give my late buying husband some present ideas!

1 Black and Brown Riding Boots found here and here
2 Classic Hunter Welles like these and these, or these cheaper wide calf knock-offs!
3 Gray Booties for everyday, like the ones found here and here.
4. Lastly, not boots, (kill me know) I want these Birkenstocks!

I want all kinds of different boots for this fall and winter. Riding boots, willies, ankle boots. I really, really want some new boots. Unfortunately, boots are kind of expensive, so maybe I'll pick one type to get this season, another to get later in winter, and maybe hold of on one or two styles until next year. Not sure if I'll ever actually get Birkenstocks, I know my family would just make fun of me.

I also really want comfy, warm, clothing with a more Native American or Aztec-y type design. First, these seems really warm, and second, they just feels like they belongs in Colorado to me. Jeff thinks it's weird, like I think I'm living in New Mexico, but this style totally reminds me of Colorado.

1 I've been eyes these cardigans here, here, and here.
2 Sweater leggings spotted here, and here.

I also feel drawn to wear all my turquoise jewelry, I've always loved it, but now I am completely obsessed!! Hopefully this gives my honey some good ideas for Christmas shopping this weekend :)