Christmas Season Reflections 2023

As the year comes to a close

it's time for my annual

Christmas Reflection Post

I can't believe I started these over a decade ago!

It's here where I reflect on the season

and 

share some of my favorite decorating tips

as much to share 

as to remember for next year myself!

This Christmas season was a wonderful one 

to be sure!

With my son and his family back  from Texas

and living locally 

there was so  much goodness to be celebrated!

I change up my main tree every year.

This year is was full of whimsy and red!

I mixed homespun and glitter and glass.

In a mosaic of glamour and heirloom goodness!

I think it was my favorite tree yet!

(But I kind of think that every year

that' the fun of the whole process!)

Our vintage Santa was once again above the fireplace mantel!

He came to us worn and imperfect from a sweet antique store years ago.

His wear and tear imperfections make me love him even more!

I started the season with my usual lists

the most important list

is always reviewing my own list of 

Holiday Mental Health Tips

I republished HERE

The gentle reminders on the list always

send me into the season

in the most positive light!

I once again decorated with my own lemon harvest!

I just love bringing in local abundance to ny decorating scheme!

Christmas cookies were once again made in our house

with the sweetest little baker!

having our grandchildren here for the season

instead of a day

filled my heart so full!

And yes, Crowns were made

as well a the most imaginative Christmas ornaments!

I have a renewed appreciation of the humble pipe cleaner!

One decorating tip I want to remember next year

is using a simple mixed branch wreath from Trader Joe's

Two wreaths got me through the whole month long season.

I simply hung them with some gorgeous jingle bells.

So with every entrance or exit

the bells jingled with the most aromatic Christmas tree smell!

I once again pulled a rack of my holiday favorites.

Since I converted unused bedroom to closets

I have a place to have outfit possibilities all together.

It really makes dressing for the season

easy and fun!

It feels like my own little curated store!

It gives me quick and fanciful outfits!

I can pull basics together and easily add  some  holiday cheer

which makes necessary holiday errands so much more fun.

I think it just elevates the necessary!

Like each year we go to decorate the family gravesite.

We went twice this year

because the cemetery   changed the decorating dates.

Going to decorate isn't as sad as it was some years.

Now going with our big tree, decorations and nativity 

seems so much about honoring my family 

than the horrible loss it has been some years.

It also makes me cherish every single day

i have with those I love.

Death can really make you appreciate 

the everyday, every day.

On a much lighter note

we had a lovely holiday time at Disneyland!!

I wanted a bit of whimsy for my outfit

so I converted my favorite lunchpail into a purse!

I simply added a  bold gold chain to the top!

Back home our vintage friends made a reappearance!

The cutest part of this decor

is that it is Jeff's idea and love!

Every time he brings them out

I can see his childlike wonder and happiness!

I think it's such a beautiful thing

that no matter how old we get

there are certain things that can remind us of our 

own child like wonder!

This year I added ornaments to the three faux trees

behind our vintage characters.

This extra touch made me so happy!

Especially in the afternoon when they sparkled in  the sunlight!

This was the first year my poinsettias made it until after Christmas!

I took a break this year from my usual paper whites

so I used my planter for festive red!

I simply planted three poinsettias from Trader Joe's.

It was so quick and easy

for such an abundant pop of holiday cheer!

I sprinkled in some color into our courtyard.

I'm thinking this area might need a use update.

It's such a great intimate space 

but we haven't actually used it in ages.

Redoing spaces always makes me happy and excited.

Which is why I've been so happy with 

our little house and gardens for almost 30 years!

Our backyard which we always use

got a sprinkle of holiday cheer as well!

Especially our 'little house' that Jeff built!

This is the first year It had it's beautiful green paint

so it took a little Christmas cheer so happily!

The little house was built originally for storage

but it is morphing into the best little play area for our grandchildren

because one of the things I have stored for decades

are the great collection of toys my children have had.

It's become a bit of toy wonderland!

One holiday tip I've taught myself

is to do all of my holiday fluff gardening in White!!

I used to add so much red into finishing my pots

only to pull it all out before New Years.

Now I fill everything with whites only

and

 add in red with simple decorations.

So when Christmas is over my garden is all dressed up in whites

all ready for the New Year!

We had Christmas crafts and pajamas!

Added fun holiday cheer to the 'show room" ( as in watching)

sweetest name given by our granddaughter Len!

Which included Christmas lights, paper chains and handmade pipe cleaner ornaments.

All the teddy bears had Santa hats as well!

We got to go to the  Laguna Beach Hotel

for lunch and drinks with our daughter and her husband!

The weather and the view couldn't have been better!

The next night brought us to Christmas Eve!

We were lucky enough to have 

Ellis and Elliot join us!

After such a busy season we all opted 

for a super cozy evening in front of the fire with chili and cornbread

and

great conversation!

For Christmas Morning

I rearranged the living room to accommodate our family!

It makes my heart so happy that our little house can change so easily!

All the presents had been wrapped with care!

this year I opted for a collection of happy  wrapping papers

finished with felts strips I cut.

Using felt is still one of my favorite holiday wrapping tips

because you can cut 'ribbons' to the scale of the boxes!

And felt holds it shape for the bows!

I just love my Christmas tree so much!

Bringing out sentimental ornaments and working them into a design scheme

is always so fun for me!

One of my earliest memories of loving the design process

was arranging and rearranging presents under the tree as a child!

This little snippet of our tree

has the very first present I ever bought Jeff!

It's the little bride bear ornament.

I bought it a couple of days after I met him.

I shopped all over for a little teddy bear to be friends

with one of his teddy bears

(it was a whole story)

But the short version is

the only bear I could find in all if South Coast Plaza

was this one!

Who knew 37 years later how prophetic this sweet little bear ended up to be!

Now for some Christmas super cuteness!!

One of my favorite ideas of Christmas this year was

making pizza!!

Ellis came up with the idea of everyone making their own pizza

from all types of topping choices and fresh dough!

It was such a fun idea and activity

from just present opening!

We are thinking this might be a new 

Christmas Tradition!!

The Crown crafts that Ellis bought for Len

were also a huge hit!

So next year I want to remember to add

pizza making and crafts

to our day of opening presents!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by

for this extremely long 

Christmas Season Reflection!

Wishing you and yours 

all the very best in 

the New Year!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life