For most of our marriage we have had artificial trees. We have probably gone through four of them and when it was time to toss the last one, we decided to buy live from then on which this year will be the fourth year of a live Frazier Fir.
I did buy a new tree topper this year that I found on clearance at Kirkland's this year. A red velvet top hat. I think our tree could have been a bit bigger for the hat, but I still adore it and even more surprising is that the husband and son LOVE it and never comment on this kind of stuff. Win/Win!
I wanted to share a picture of our tree before there were any presents to show you the tree skirt that we use and can't imagine using anything else. It's a quilted tree skirt that my mother made me years ago. It's absolutely gorgeous and she had to have used 25 different Christmas fabrics in it. It's easy to take care of and I have a special box it goes in for storage the rest of the year.
We've acquired a couple new ornaments this year. Had lunch with one of my bffs a couple weeks ago and she gave me this darling ornament that coincidentally matches the new tree topper. Thanks so much Laureen!
I also picked up a new ornament for our tree at Everts in Ames....a cat snowman! Of course it had to come home with me!
This year I decided to display another one of my favorite Christmas things on the easel that normally displayed our son's senior picture. It's another cross stitch gift from my mother that she did for me not long after I moved back to Iowa. Not only is the cross stitch picture priceless, but the way she had it matted and framed makes it even more special and I love to display it during the holidays.
Here's our 2015 Christmas tree with it covered in presents...and actually, I think there are even more that the husband and son put there after I took the photo....it's whimsical, funky and chock full of memories with the ornaments we use. There's a story behind 90% of them.
Bet you can guess what this ornament honors.......a family favorite and probably one of yours too.
With only a couple of days left before Christmas, I'm happy to say that other than preparing the food for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, everything is else is done.....including the mandatory mani/pedi for myself. :)
Christmas Eve we're doing lots of finger food - a couple favorite cheeseballs, artichoke spinach dip, bacon wrapped smokies, crab filled phyllo cups, brie & raspberry filled phyllo cups, chilled shrimp and a Spicy Italian Crescent Ring Sandwich.
Christmas Day is dinner with my sister's family and a family friend and I'm making the Hickory Smoked Honey Ham, homemade macaroni & cheese, cherry fluff and cheddar biscuits....along with a baked crescent wrapped round of brie and a cheese plate. My sister is bring the mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, more chilled shrimp and the Swedish dessert Ostakaka. Our family friend is responsible for the dessert which will probably be brownies because he's are awesome!
Spent some time the other night putting together the baked good packages that we give out as gifts. Found the ribbon in the huge stash of Christmas ribbon that came home with me after my mom passed and it worked perfect for this.
Thanks for stopping by during the holidays and my family and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Check back sometime in the next week for my "best of 2014"......
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