It’s Christmas in May! I just finished working with a very special client on a fabulous project in Boston. Part of the project involved decorating a tree for Christmas. I will wait to share the whole project with you once I have better photos, but here is a quick preview of the tree!
More soon…
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
J-O-Y cookies via $5 Dinners
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Alphabet cookie cutters + sugar cookie dough + tissue paper + cute box = JOYful gift!
Instead of bringing the standard bottle of wine to holiday parties this year, try some of these unique hostess gift ideas that will surely brighten up the season!
Holiday Spreaders from Williams-Sonoma
Holiday Banner Cookie-Bar Pan by Crate & Barrel
Four Seasons Dishtowel Set by Terrain
Antique Soap Dishes by Pottery Barn
Moroccan Lantern Candle Holder by Paper Source
Vintage Silverware Magnets by Ballard Designs
Wine Thermometer by Sur la Table
Knit Cozy Mugs by Leif - perfect when paired with hot chocolate mix!
Each year, I promise to buy an Advent calendar or make some sort of Advent countdown and each year it never happens. So this year, I vowed to do it.
I knew I wanted to make a countdown instead of a calendar and I also wanted to use materials I already had in the house. I happen to have an embarrassing amount of cylinder vases and thought I might try to utilize those. So I picked 25 vases of varying heights and set them on my sideboard. I found a fun font (try www.dafont.com or www.fontspace.com for some free ones) and printed out numerals from 1 to 25. I cut them in small rectangles and affixed them to the cylinders using double-sided tape.
I then printed out Bible verses for each day and cut them so that they would rest in a place card holder. In the picture below, you will see Day 1′s scripture verse set to the side in the holder.
The plan is to fill each vase with water and set a floating candle in the top, lighting each one as Advent progresses day by day. I currently have them all set on the sideboard, but I could just as easily break them up into groupings and set them around the house.
There it is! My quick, easy Advent Countdown!
I am not usually a fan of seeing holiday decor before Halloween, but sometimes it makes sense to do a little advance planning for the holiday season. For instance, it takes time to order things like this fabulous advent calendar from Land of Nod. The fabric calendar is so fun and festive and is a great way to count down the days until Christmas. You could have a lot of fun stuffing the pockets with some really clever surprises. Kids will love it — and grown up kids alike!
Advent calendar from Land of Nod
I have been feverishly wrapping Christmas presents over the last few days. I love wrapping presents. I think about how the person will feel when they open it and try to make it look extra special for them. Just as I want them to love their present, I want the wrapping itself to feel like a gift. It doesn’t always turn out that way, but I try!
Here’s an inspired idea for wrapping Christmas presents straight from Domestifluff – one of my favorite sites.
cinnamon dough ornaments; photo via Domestifluff
Not only does she share how to make the ornaments to attach to the gifts, but she also shares some really cool printable gift labels. Thanks, Domestifluff!
It’s getting downright chilly outside. On cold days like this nothing is more heavenly than cozying up to a fire with some cocoa in hand. These three cocoa recipes from around the Web are a great excuse to strike a match.
Ferrero Flip by Sweet Paul; photo by Hector Sanchez via Sweet Paul
Mexican Hot Cocoa via Epicurious; photo by Sang An via Epicurious
Giada De Laurentiis' Hot Chocolate Bar via Food Network
I popped into Anthropologie yesterday looking for some Christmas gifts. No luck on the gifts, but I did fall in love with their display in the front of the store featuring playing cards as holiday decor.
Punched cards were used as garland, gift tags, and even sewn together as a runner. So clever — and inexpensive to re-create at home!
playing card garland draped across the "fireplace"
garland adorns the tree
playing cards cut into circles are sewn together with red thread to make a simple garland
a playing card accompanies a "to/from" gift tag and red bow -- great for topping a present
playing cards sewn together to make a runner
Ornaments on our tree
Music is an integral part of any celebration. As family and friends gather in your home this holiday season to celebrate the wonder of Christmas or the magic of the new year, tap into some festive tunes — classic and contemporary alike. Here’s a sampling of what I am listening to this Christmas season:
White Christmas, Frank Sinatra
Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, Joshua James
Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming), Over the Rhine
I Celebrate the Day, Relient K
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Pretenders
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Tony Bennett & Antonia Bennett
Gabriel’s Message, Sting
Sleigh Ride, Ella Fitzgerald
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Maybe Next Year, Meiko
No Christmas for Me, Zee Avi
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings, Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
Little Drummer Boy, Jars of Clay
Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Bruce Springsteen
We Three Kings, Sufjan Stevens
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.