Sharing Christmas Cheer.

One of my favorite things about Christmas (besides the memories and the MEANING) is pulling out the decorations and just letting our home tell a story.  

I normally have a place for everything, but this year, I just kinda winged it.  I want to share a peek into the Christmas cheer that I have sprinkled throughout the house.  

My lighted Santa Train Engine is a new addition this year.  It was my gift from the family Christmas dinner and party that we had the first weekend in December.  It plays Christmas music, which makes it extra special.. 

And then, I added several candles that are battery operated. They add such a soft, peaceful glow, especially in the evenings when the house is kinda quiet.  The good thing about these candles is that they come with a remote control.  Press the "On" button, and Wa-La....the candles are glowing. 

Floral Arrangements!!  I make my own and I usually just add greenery and a few berries....I may tuck in a few sparkly things, but I really prefer the look of nature.  My mom always said that a little touch of greenery brings life to any shelf or to corners that might otherwise be overlooked.  

Christmas....this brings me to the Christmas tree. I would much rather have a real live Christmas tree, but instead, I used our old artificial tree..AGAIN!  This year, the nature theme won me over.  I used some earthy tones instead of the bright colors that I have used in the past. I also added a mixture of creamy whites and hints of muted gold to help blend in with the dried oranges and the white string rope that the oranges are tied on the tree with. 

Sadly, come January it is time to retire this tree...none of the lights on this pre-lit tree work, so I've been adding my own. 

Tiny stems of cranberries are tucked in between the branches and the pine cones.  The lights I chose this year are a mixture of white and red lights....with the addition of lighted candles.  This might just be my favorite tree! 

Wooden Christmas trees are set around in different places throughout my kitchen and living room.....Well, I did add a few to the guest bathroom as well.  

The stockings are all hung and my jars are filled with candy.  Only thing left to do is to fill the cookie jar with my kiddos favorite cookies....what are they??  Oreo cookies of course!!  lol.   This means NO cookie baking for me.  Trista brings her famous decorated sugar cookies each year.  I'll share a picture of them on Christmas eve when they arrive...

Oh....I must not forget to mention my big red Gnome with a polka-dot hat.  I've had "Pip" for several years and he guards all the Christmas decorations around here.  

I'm pretty sure that I have way too many lights and decorations around our home, but Christmas only comes once a year!  In my humble opinion, if something makes you smile when you walk past it, then it deserves a place for all to see.  

But, no home is ever truly decorated for Christmas without the Christmas manger scene. In the middle of all the twinkle lights, candy jars, trees, and cheerful gnomes, the manger quietly reminds (ME) what this season is really about.  It grounds everything else. It brings peace and meaning....and a Purpose to all of the sparkle.  

Our home might be a little overdone with all the decorations, the silly gnomes, the glowing red lights on the outside of the house, but this is the kind of Christmas decorating that I love the most... It's the kind that feels lived in...loved ....and centered around Jesus Christ.  

Merry Christmas my Dear Friends....

Shug and Sam 🎄