Festive Friday

As we prepare for the most stressful joyous holiday of the year, I think its fun to peer into the lives of others.  See how they decorate.  Celebrate.  What traditions do others cling to?

I thought I'd share my decorations with you this year.  I'm not a big decorator - no lights outside or huge displays in my house.  But its enough to keep things festive.

It might sound crazy, but my inner neat freak got squashed a few weeks ago.  I had the wrapping paper, bows, scizzors, and tape just laying out for several days.  And I loved every minute of it! 

We don't have a fireplace (yet) to hang our stockings on - this was the best we could come up with.

My formal dining room gets used once a year - when I have the whole family over the weekend before Christmas.  Why do I have napkin rings out but no napkins?  Because I keep meaning to make them out of the same material the chairs are covered with.  Only my hub-sand hasn't finished my sewing table.  And I haven't gotten my sewing machine from my parents house yet.

I love Christmas cards - so the star card thingy is one of my favorite decorations.  This is the table Jay and I eat at most of the time.  When we're not eating on the couch watching TV.

My tree has issues.  Some of them inflicted by me.  Some just due to age.  I'm thinking the day after Christmas I need to buy a strand (or three) of white lights to compensate for the pre-lit shortcomings.

And finally our nativity.  Last year I wrapped baby Jesus up and gave him to Jay for Christmas.  I think our new tradition is going to be leaving him in a box under the tree until Christmas Eve.  

And if you're a Christmas music fan, check out Amazon's free music downloads.  (Thanks Jen for the heads up!)  If you've missed a day (or 10) you can go back and download music from previous days for free as well.

Merry Christmas!!