Christmas 2017

This year Christmas seemed a bit more magical since it was Baby’s First Christmas. Even though we didn’t spend Christmas at our house I made sure to fill our home with the Christmas spirit.

Red & White Christmas Theme

This year we set out to pick a tree in early December, the earliest we’ve ever put up our tree. We picked a beautiful 7′ tall Frasier Fir from our local nursery.

We’ve never used the traditional tree stand to hold our tree but rather use a stone-looking plastic planter I found years ago at Home Depot. Since I don’t trust that the planter won’t leak, we place a bucket inside the planter before inserting the tree trunk and surrounding it with rocks. The planter and tree are then centered on top of the tree skirt.

This year I made a brand new quilted tree skirt. I took the Craftsy class “The Quilted Tree Skirt” by Carloyn Fairbanks-Critchfield and used the same Ruby Fleur fabrics she used in the class. This is such an easy project to complete and fun class to take, I highly recommend it.

My husband and I decided that this was our prettiest Christmas tree so far. This was the first time I tried a red and white Christmas theme and went all out from ornaments, to decor, to gift wrapping.

My favorite part of the tree decor is the addition of the white feather boa garland and red tassels for ornaments. Such simple elements that added a ton of impact.

Customized Baby Christmas Tree Ornament

I made this Baby Christmas Ornament using an outgrown baby shoe. On the sole of the shoe, I wrote the baby’s name and birth details.

Christmas Treats

An annual Christmas treat tradition at our house is Peppermint Bark. Sally’s Baking Addiction Peppermint Bark recipe is the best and so easy to make.

This year was my second time decorating Royal Icing Christmas cookies with my good friend Kristen. Last year we went wild with cookie shapes and designs. This year we decorated Christmas sweaters, reindeer, and stars.

I used Sally’s Baking Addiction Chocolate Sugar Cookie recipe for the reindeer and star cookies. The cookies didn’t spread when baked. They were dense and almost brownie-like. Very tasty.

Mom’s Buffalo Plaid Christmas Theme

We decided that the best place for baby’s first Christmas was at my mom and dad’s house. Nestled somewhere near the middle-of-nowhere they live in their dream home with a cozy rustic log home vibe. I knew my mom would have their home decorated for Christmas and was excited to see what she had been up to.

Their Up North themed home is the perfect place to come together with family to celebrate the holidays and a place I look forward to making memories with our son.

Mom didn’t disappoint and her decorating efforts didn’t go unnoticed. She had done up the whole place with a Red & Black Buffalo Plaid Theme. There were boughs of pine greens tied with buffalo plaid ribbons, the tree was wrapped with a plaid ribbon, and touches of the Buffalo plaid throughout the house. Meals and snacks were served on buffalo plaid plates with plaid napkins.

On Christmas Eve, mom presented all of us with Buffalo Plaid PJs.

Up high on a shelf sat a group of snowmen.

Pictured below are driftwood Santas hand-painted by my mom. These have been set out during the Christmas season for as long as I can remember.

The stockings (and overflow gift bags) were hung with care on the mantel.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season with your loved ones.