Happy Monday, y’all!
I’m sharing some preview pics today because I’m not *quite* finished decorating for Christmas yet, and there’s no way they’d all fit in one post anyway- ha! 😀 I decided to go cozy/wintry/woodsy this year and this snuggly pom-pom fringed blanket from HomeGoods was my jumping off point:
And when I saw this Christmas tree throw pillow- it was off to the races!
If you’ve been here with me for previous Christmas decorating posts, you know that one of my favorite, low-dough ways to decorate is to wrap empty boxes and use them as decor. Steevenson helped me wrap this one:
We started with the twig garland from Hobby Lobby, and since the twigs were pretty brown, we used watered-down white paint to make them whiter, and give the whole combo more contrast. Steevenson literally painted every one of those twigs by himself! (You may have seen him in action on Insta-stories!) He accidentally splattered a little bit of paint on the paper, but we decided that was actually pretty awesome because it looked like snow. We added more splatters and some faux snow to really make it look frosty!
Oh, and here’s a photo that shows what the twigs looked like before he painted them:
I got them in the fairy garden section of the store. I also found a bag of cottom blossoms in that same area, and hot glued them to the top of this next box to act as a bow:
I used the present on the top of this next stack last Christmas, but the wooden bead garland is new and from Hobby Lobby. I may paint the beads white later today:
I wrapped the empty box on the bottom with gift wrap that was one of Steevenson’s birthday presents. I’m not sure where my friend got it, but it was just too pretty to throw away! (And I mean, come on. This is The LETTERED Cottage, after all!) I salvaged a second scrap of it to use on this little guy…
I used my favorite birch bark gift wrap on this next box:
It’s from and I will be so sad when they don’t carry it anymore!
Last but not least, here’s a peek at the gallery wall, which is allllmost finished…
The “I Belong To You” and “You Belong To Me” signs are from Hunt & Gather Goods on Etsy:
You may remember them from Fixer Upper. Joanna used this sign of theirs in one of her laundry room renovations:
Here’s a sneak peek at our not-*quite*-done mantel…
The trees and pots are from Hobby Lobby. I loved the trees because they look (and feel- ouch!) so realistic. My great grandpa salvaged the church window from a church he tore down many years ago in Minnesota. I love using it on the mantel at Christmas! I can’t remember where I got the ball garland last year, but the stocking in the middle is from Crate & Barrel and the stocking on the left is from HomeGoods.
I got a dozen little mini stockings from Rustic Farmhouse Wares for the tree this year and their my absolute favorite ornaments I’ve ever used…
They’re made from antique linens and she makes full-sized stockings too. Here are a couple of photos from her Facebook page:
And here is a link to her Etsy shop: Etsy.com/shop/RusticFarmhouseWares
Okay, one more sneak peek before I finish decorating so I can take photos of the whole room. This one is my favorite new addition…
It’s the nativity set I grew up with in Minnesota. My mom shipped it to us last week so we could keep the tradition alive. I just adore it. Even when I find baby Jesus climbing up the ladder or part of a Goldfish cracker in Joseph’s cane.
No, let me re-phrase that. *Especially* when I know my baby has been there playing in the hay. 🙂
Be back Wednesday (or Friday!) with wider pics of the room!
Layla
Love the woodsy look–and you will laugh for years over your memories of Steevenson having fun with the Nativity. What kid could resist all those little people and animals? 🙂
Yes! 😀 I love that he’s having fun with them. 🙂
Love every single thing!
Thank you, Sherr!
Wow for items from Mom and GreatGrandpa and a sprinkle of Steevenson to add to the memories !!
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
we are enjoying decor vicariously due to a move that was delayed until this worst possible timing. My hsb had to have a total hip replacement and the therapy that follows threw the move back into this part of the Christmas season. Of course he is trying to do too much and that brings along more delays while he recuperates. Having lived in this location for over 30 years brings lots of visits from the Salvation Army truck. I am sure there will be more because the movers are arriving Sat. and what does not fit into that truck will find a home with Salvation Army.
Oh my! Hoping y’all are settled and on the mend SOON! XO
Love it all. I mean all!
Thank you, sweet Rebecca! 🙂
Awww, I’d love to see Steevenson playing with the Nativity on InstaStories! And what a precious memory. I grinned from ear to ear imagining him playing with it. Merry Christmas!
I will see if I can catch him over there one day, Cindy! 🙂
Looking good!I have the birch wrapping paper-I found it at Target.
Jane x
Awesome! It’s so cute!
Layla darling where in HOBBY LOBBY did you find the cute trees?
🎄💕🎄
Thanks, Donna! They were near the greeting card section!
I love your decor, and all the memories that come with having children in awe of all the glitter & packages.
As always, Layla, what a wonderful gathering of decor that is simple, cozy, and full of texture and layers – but the most special part this year is seeing how your sweet boy was able to actively be a part of the decorating process. I too have the nativity set from my childhood, which I cherish, but it is fragile so placed on a shelf above “granddaughter height” while the indestructible Fontanini set is down where they can rearrange the order of the wise men or the camels, “herd the sheep”, or move the trumpeting angel to a better vantage point to herald the coming of baby Jesus. 🙂 May you and Kevin and Steevenson, and extended family, have a blessed and truly joyful Christmas season!
Thank you, Sharon! I love that you have two sets!! And Merry Christmas to you and yours, too! 😀
It’s all looking good! I also love the birch wrapping paper. In fact I loved it so much that last year that I covered a lampshade With it! I go more glam with my woodsy decor so I spray painted the inside with silver and glitter. It casts a beautiful glow!
Thank you, Amy! And I love that you thought to use that gift wrap on a lamp shade!
Thanks for sharing such beautiful and sweet aspects of your family and home.
Merry Christmas blessings!!
Thank you, Marie! Merry Christmas to you, too! 😀
Your home is beautiful! “Especially” because your babe is there!
I absolutely ADORE your decorating style! Its high time you have a show on HGTV…and I am not kidding! If I’ve had a loooong day, and I have many, your insta posts, and stories make me SO so SO very happy…and you make me giggle, AND I love clothes and fashion, and little lady you’ve got style!!!!!!
I’m tickled because I went with more of a wintery theme while decorating my house this year. I will leave it up this winter, probably for sure take down my tree’s, but the rest will stay and keep me cozy while I scroll through your stories:)
Looking forward to the wide angle shots!!!!
Lisa
Love your wintery woodsy cozy decor! Can’t wait to see the rest & glad you’re taking it easy & decorating slowly. Hope that helps you all enjoy the season! ☺️
I think the ABC paper is Becky Higgins’ Stone Wrap. That design is out of stock but there others. Thick & durable, cuts & folds so nicely!!
Merry Christmas, Layla where did you find that amazing tree pillow. I have to have it! Thanks.
Love it all. Do you get a ornament for Steevenson each Christmas? We did that with our son and we enjoy so many memories each year.
BYW, you have cotton bolls on the gift box not blossoms. Its really important for you to know the difference since you live in Alabama. It would be really sad if your state citizenship was revoked 🙂
No yearly ornament (although that does sound neat!) and bolls isn’t nearly as pretty a word as blossoms, so I’m stickin’ with it. 😉
Great ideas. I love the twigs wrapped around the gift. And that pillow looks so cozy!
Love the cozy feel of your woodsy decoration..and the birch bark paper! I’ll go scouting about & try to find some in my neck of the woods.
Merry Cristmas to you and your family
Thank you, friend! Merry Christmas to you too! 😀