I had waaaaay too much fun decorating our tree this year. 2020 made me do it. I went with a cheerful. country-style Christmas vibe and used a variety of things that felt homespun/homemade. Popcorn and braided wool garland, balls of yarn (complete with knitting needles stuck inside!) embroidery hoops, gingerbread cookies, candy canes, stocking, icicles, pinecones, snowflakes, and lots of little houses, barns, churches, and vehicles topped with Christmas trees sprinkled throughout.
I don’t always stick to a theme, but this one brings me so much joy! It’ll probably be a work in progress til I take it down in February. 😉 I’ll share (affiliate and non-affiliate) links to some of the things on it here in case something caught your eye and you’re still adding ornaments to your tree too:
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– Red & White Fabric Strip Balls
Those are all of the ones I have links for, so I apologize if you saw one that isn’t listed there. I can tell you that the soft snowflakes came from Target this year, the cozy knit garland came from Crate & Barrel last year, the cloches also came from Balsam Hill last year, and we picked up the white paper houses and stars at Ikea last year as well. Oh! And I ordered the faux popcorn garland from FactoryDirectOutlet.com and I got the gold bead garland at Ikea this year. It’s only $1.49 for like 12 feet of the stuff!
As for the gift boxes beneath tree, my favorite places to look for wrapping paper are HomeGoods, Target, and Ikea, and I feel like Michaels has the best selection of yarn, twine, and ribbon. (I shopped for all of mine on their website this year!)
And speaking of Christmas decorating, I love to listen to Christmas music while I’m trimming the tree, and I’ve been putting together a playlist on Spotify if you’d like to add it to your library over there. It’s called The Lettered Christmas.
I’ve got 44 songs in that collection so far, but like the ornaments, I’ve been adding more of those every day too! 🙂 My latest fav is one called “Santa Will Find You” by Mindy Smith. Have you heard it? It’s SO good! Steevenson’s current favorite is “Last Christmas” by Wham. We made cupcakes together last night and he must have played it fifteen times in a row- ha! His little voice singing any chorus is one of the most precious sounds that has ever entered my ears and I sure will miss hearing it (real-time not recorded) when he grows up.
I’m hoping to share our Christmas mantel and my Christmas secretary desk with you later this week or this weekend too. I’ve had fun making those areas feel more festive this month as well.
How about you? Were you bitten by the decorating bug this WEIRD year too? I know not everyone is feeling up to the task, and I can certainly understand that mentality too. It’s been a bumpy 2020 and, more than anything, I just hope you and yours are safe, and healthy, and that you’re able to enjoy a peaceful holiday season doing whatever it is that brings you peace and joy.
Have a great Wednesday and we’ll talk again soon,
Layla
I so love your ideas! The beautiful simplicity of it all.
Your tree is beautiful! Love it.
Have you heard of Whamaggedon? This was the first year that I have and I played it with my family (grown kids). Starting on December 1st, once you hear the Wham song “Last Christmas” you are out of the game. Lol. My Daughter-in-law was the first to lose on Dec 2nd. My husband and I had a double whammy when we heard it when driving in the car together. The rest of the family is still in!
I watched way too many YouTube influencers beginning in late October. The only thing I was swayed (influenced) to buy was a flocked tree, which I love. It’s my first artificial tree since the mid to late 80s. All my Christmas decorating is done. All the gifts are wrapped. Now we wait and enjoy. 🎄
Yes, listen to his precious voice as often as possible and kiss his peach-fuzz cheeks, as often as he’ll let you. Soon enough his voice will change and he will have whiskers. My son, 37, remembers me telling him that. Blessed Christmas, Layla, to you and your family. Hugs from Washington state.
Very festive and homey. Please tell me you find a way to display Steevenson’s handmade decorations. Those are the most precious of all.
You have a beautiful tree. One of my favorites of the year and that’s been a lot. Merry Christmas
You leave your tree up until February? We usually leave ours up until January 6th but I was thinking of leaving it longer this year. If we are stuck at home it might as well have decorations that make me happy!
Beautiful Christmas tree! Glad to hear I’m not the only one to leave my Christmas decor up past January.
Your tree is so lovely and inviting. I too had the Christmas tree decorating redo bug this year! (Is that the official name for it? Haha
I mean, why not? It’s 2020!! Lol
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Really beautiful. Love all the photos to really see the details!!! Like I got to lean in!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love James Taylor’s “Some Children See Him”!
We did WAY more decor this year.
Also. I got off Instagram, so I’ll follow here bc I love all your words and pictures : )
Thank you, Julianna! And I’m glad you had fun decorating this year too!