Can You Believe It’s Christmas?
Thu, Dec 24, 2009
Am I the only one who’s completely blown away by the fact that tomorrow is Christmas? Â That means that today, Thursday the 24th, is Christmas Eve. Â Wow. Â Where did the month go? Â For that matter, where did the year go? Â It seems like only yesterday we were in Georgia for the holidays, making wreaths and shopping for the perfect present.
But this year, Christmas kind of snuck up on me and I am so not ready. Â The funniest part is that it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Â We’ve had so much going on over the past few months that the holidays have been the last thing on my mind. Â In fact, we just ordered presents for family last week (sorry guys – they’re going to be late) and we just put up our tree on Saturday. Â I was all for skipping the whole tree thing this year, but the CPA insisted and I’m glad he did.
So we pulled out the tree and the box of ornaments
and got started.
I was excited to see all of the new stuff that I had bought at the end of last season that I haven’t used yet.
The problem was, I had more ornaments than I had tree. Â Not only that, but this year I’m trying to go easy on the deocrations so that taking the tree down isn’t such a huge process.
So I just put up a few of my basic ornaments that I use every year:
Then I pulled out a couple of new ornaments that I had bought two years ago (but haven’t been able to use since we were in Georgia last year.) Â One was this beautiful Lenox crystal bride and groom with the year 2007 engraved on it.
Here’s another Lenox 2007 ornament that is new – it’s a set of gates that has “our first house” written on it. Â Beautiful, no?
And finally, I got out all of our White House ornaments. Â I’ve been collecting these since my mother started giving them to me years ago.
They’re such beautiful pieces and each one is unique.
They come in their own special boxes with an insert explaining the history behind the design used for that year.
The front of the ornament has the year on it as well as the words “White House”.
The back is just as beautiful.
There is so much detail in each White House ornament – I’m truly amazed each year to see what they’ve come up with.
This one from 2007 is one of my favorites:
Look at the back of it – isn’t that amazing?
After all the White House ornaments were up, I added some of my newest additions which included these jeweled pears and these gold stem things.
They’re actually pretty cool – you just stick them on the tree in different places to add a bit of sparkle.
After that, I was done.
(Ignore the part of the tree that is dark – some of the lights burned out and I couldn’t find a replacement strand as apparently everyone was sold out the week before Christmas.)
Yes, it was a bit of work to get everything ready but I’m so glad that I did it because every night this week I’ve turned on the lights and felt my spirits lift. Â How can you not when thinking about this wonderful time of the year?
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to spend time with your family and loved ones!
Did you put up a Christmas tree and decorations? Â What other things do you do to get ready?
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December 24th, 2009 at 6:51 am
The photo with the horse and carriage white horse ornament is GORGEOUS. The quality, colors, everything. I just had to say something!
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December 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am
We have a prelit tree that has A section of lights that keep going on and off, slowly making me crazy lol. Your tree is beautiful and I love the White House ornaments. I’ve never seen those. This year I put up 2 trees. If I can find the courage I am going to go shopping the day after Christmas to look for a 3rd tree and some outdoor trees in urns for my porch and such. I love to decorate for Christmas but I hate taking it all down
I’m like u though in that I really can’t believe today is Christmas eve. I think the holidays haven’t don’t feel normal since this is the first time in 5 yrs that I haven’t had to fly somewhere, lol. Merry Christmas to your family!
December 24th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Now, that’s a tree!! You should see our little one with kid ornaments all over it. It’s good for the kids but I sooooo miss having a grown up tree with pretty ornaments that don’t take well to little fingers. Oh well, time will fly and the kids will be gone then I’m sure I’ll miss my “kid” tree.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:22 am
We put up our tree a couple of weeks ago, not as early as usual with the new baby. We also opted for less decorations this year. Just the tree, with fewer ornaments and no garland, and my nativity set. The girls have loved it all though.
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December 24th, 2009 at 8:32 am
wow, what a tree! our tree situation is a little bit sad this year, in that, we don’t really have one. time snuck up on me and i just found that we didn’t want to put anything up, having to take it down so soon afterwards. i’m a two month tree type of girl.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:37 am
We have White House ornaments too! They’re my favorite. Merry Christmas Tabitha!
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December 24th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Our tree has been up since the weekend after thanksgiving. I like putting it up early so we can enjoy it all through advent – AND it’s a lot of work to put it up so I figure I should maximize the amt of time it is up. I hope you have a very merry Christmas! Our should be interesting – getting hit by the brunt of the storm in the Midwest!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am
We have a tiny rosemary bush with a few ornaments on it. It’s pretty pathetic really, but I didn’t want my 9-month-old pulling a tree down on herself this year. And we loosely places some lights around the window. We’re going low-key this year.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I love all your ornaments! Merry Christmas, Tabitha!
Kristina P.´s last blog ..GreenSleeves
December 24th, 2009 at 9:37 am
We went out on the 12th and cut down a tree. We own 4 acres and about 15 minutes away, Matt’s family owns about 200+ acres between them. So we went and found a tree on his aunt’s land. Of course, it is not as pretty as a tree farm tree but it was free. We decorated it the next day. But my family Christmas was the 19th. So today doesn’t really feel like Christmas Eve to me either. No Christmas Eve church service as the one I wanted to go to is at 11pm and I plan on being asleep and my husband’s family’s Christmas party is too far away to deal with driving out tonight. So we’ll watch It’s a Wonderful Life tonight and go to my in-laws tomorrow. But it really just feels like a normal day now since we have no plans for tonight.
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December 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Those White House ornaments are sweet!
We’ve had our house decorated (inside and out) for a few weeks now. With two little ones, it really wasn’t an option. As long as they are crazy about Christmas (which I hope is forever really), we will celebrate the joy of the season with reckless abandon!
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December 24th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
As you know, I LOVE Christmas and decorating. We’ve put up our two 9 ft. trees, one purple and gold and the other one all red and white. Another 7 ft. tree is all gold and white. Then we have our 5 ft. tree that is just our White House and Senate ornaments. I didn’t put up any trees downstairs this year since we’re not having all the kids come home for the holidays. I always have wreaths and garland over all the doors and more lights inside. The wreath we made last Christmas is on the inside of the front door and it looks great and gets many compliments.
Your tree looks beautiful. I love the Lenox ornaments – how special they will be on your trees. You are completely right, having the tree lighted each night just makes your home feel all warm and special and lifts your spirits!! Makes you remember childhood Christmas, family and the love that fills your home. No matter where you are in the world – Christmas brings you together in your heart. You realize that Heavenly Father loves us so much and the birth of our Savior. What a special time of year!!! Merry Christmas – hope you and the CPA have a wonderful Christmas!!!
December 24th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I collect the White House Christmas ornaments, too! I have the same one you do from 2006! I lived there and they are such awesome mementos from my time there.
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December 24th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Your tree looks just lovely. I’ve never seen those ornaments around here (well, I wouldn’t expect any White House ones in Canada), but they are so pretty. Hope you three have a wonderful holiday
December 25th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Your tree looks gorgeous! My mom sent me several little red bows so I have my ceiling fan chain pulls decorated! That’s the extent of my decorating. My husband and I promised to do a big Christmas next year when I’m back with my belongings, or rather they are caught up with me! First Christmas alone but I’ve already Skyped with everyone but my dad. I’ll find him later today! Have a very Merry Christmas!!
December 26th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Your tree is BEAUTIFUL! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. This fall flew for me too. It’s shocking that Christmas is now over and we are on the brink of another new year. Scary and exciting at the same time. So many new possibilities for the new year, but time is going quickly.
-FringeGirl
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