Unfortunately, this Christmas is not a very decorative Christmas at our house. We usually go all out and line our house with multicolored lights and adorn our lawn with deer, a big blow up Santa and even a huge snow globe. This year, though, we have been so busy, and we just never had the time to get all of that out. We do have our Christmas tree up, though, and regardless of how busy we are, that will be up every year. After all, Santa has to have a place to put all of those presents!
Earlier this month I posted about how we have been decorating our tree with the same ornaments for almost 10 years, and it was time for a change. I went to Kmart and purchased new tree trimmings so we could give our tree a fresh, new look this year. Kmart had so many beautiful tree trimmings that it was hard to choose what I wanted for our tree, but I ultimately decided on the Jacklyn Smith Midnight Clear Collection from the Kmart Holiday Shop. Make sure you check out my Google+ album to read all about my shopping experience and see all of the different decorations that Kmart had to offer this year.
A few Sundays ago, we took a few hours out of our busy schedule to decorate our Christmas tree. My husband put the tree together and put the lights on it, and then we decorated it together as a family. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are those of decorating our Christmas tree with my dad, and I want my children to have those memories also.
The first step was to attach the ornament hooks to all of our new ornaments. We don't use real hooks in our house because of the kids and pets, so usually I buy curling ribbon and make my own hooks. When I was shopping at Kmart, I was pleased to find fabric ornament hooks in the Jacklyn Smith collection, and I purchased a pack of 50.
Brian and I did most of the initial decorating. I wanted to get all of our new tree trimmings on the tree first, just to see how it looked. I realized very quickly that the 4 strands of garland I purchased just were not enough. I always underestimate the size of our tree, and we definitely needed more. Brian went to Kmart to purchase more, and unfortunately they were all out. I plan to check out some other Kmart locations to try to find some for next year, but for now, we did the best we could with what we had.
Other than our lack of garland, I think it looks pretty nice, don't you? It looks even better at night when you can really see the twinkling of the lights, and my pretty light up snowman ornament.
Once we had all of our new trimmings on the tree, the kids joined in to help us add the ornaments we have collected over the years. I always buy the Hallmark age ornaments every year for the kids, and they put this year's ornaments on the tree first.
A 4 for Rylie and a 3 for Bryce. I can't believe how quickly my babies are growing up!
After those ornaments were securely in place, Rylie and Bryce went through our box of ornaments and started putting them around the tree. The bottom of the tree was looking a little more decorated than the top, so Rylie asked Brian to pick her up so she could put some ornaments up high. He happily obliged.
Of course once Bryce saw Rylie doing it, he wanted to put some up high too.
I particularly love the bows that I purchased this year. They are so beautiful, and add that elegant touch to the tree.
I also purchased several glittery ornaments in the shape of balls, snowflakes and stars, and of course I had to have a few snowmen too!
Sparkly! A great feature about these ornaments is that they are also shatterproof. We definitely need these in our house!
Once all of the ornaments were on the tree and the angel was on top, I stood back and took it all in. I have always loved our tree, and I think it is absolutely beautiful this year!
Well, except for the lack of garland. Hopefully that will not be the case next year.
The kids love watching the lights twinkle at night. Even though we tell them constantly not to touch the tree, they just can't help it. It draws them in. I can't wait until they see our beautiful tree on Christmas morning with all of their presents under it!
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All opinions are my own.
4 comments:
gorgeous!
SO pretty!! I love how it has a theme, but still is individualized for your family.
So pretty, and my favorite colors! Have a Merry Christmas ;)
The tree came out beautiful. I love the idea if the ribbon instead if the hooks. I might have to steal that for next year. Seems as though you created a nice family memory that night that will be with you forever.
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