It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's finally that time of year, and while I love the summertime, I LOVE holiday cheer and the Christmas spirit! The hubs loves the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas and I like to get the house ready while he's out and surprise him when he comes home. With a new house this year I had to get a few extra things but I usually try to decorate using things I already have and on a budget. 

 Before it was a 'thing' to decorate with old windows, my mom was smart enough to save the windows she was having replaced in their home.  We have quite a few and I have found many uses for them. This one was perfect for the shelf with a gold 'G' that I got for $9 from Hobby Lobby.  The silver candle holders are from Ikea and I've had them for awhile.  I actually didn't even move them from my fall shelves I had up. I already had my reindeer and I bought 6 stems of red berries from Hobby Lobby for 75 cents each.

(My sister-in-law used an old window to hang a wreath on above her electric fireplace! What a great idea! I just thought I'd throw her pretty picture in here, too!) 

 

You can you glass jars, cake places, and canopic jars for decorating in any season, and most likely you already have something in your house you could use to fill the glass with.  I just used some small red Christmas balls to fill in these mini cake plates with domes. In the past I've also used mini pine cones, a string of lights, decorating gems, a candle and seasonal greenery. Really anything you have an abundance of that will fit inside works just fine!

 I took a candle that I already had and wrapped some burlap around it.  I tucked some cinnamon sticks in and tied it up with some twine. As soon as I can get my lazy bum up I am going to remove this fake greenery and cut some magnolia leaves from my in laws tree to add to the shelves.  Anytime you can add fresh foliage, go for it! I couldn't help but notice in the Black Friday ads that Home Depot will have fresh 15' garland and wreaths tomorrow.  I may have to go grab some.  The aroma is heavenly!

(Speaking of heavenly aromas, if your husband refuses to get a real tree because he's afraid it'll catch on fire, and you miss the Christmas tree smell that fills your home, you must buy one of these candles!  It's a Febreeze 'Glistening Pine'. It smells just like a real Christmas tree!  I highly recommend it!)

 I kinda love these hanging wicker balls. I used 3m strips to attach the burlap ribbon to the top of the doorway.  I also used them to create a decorative piece above the doorway.

 I filled the bottom of this large Ikea basket with newspaper and put a few different size cans at the bottom (like a can of tuna, can of soup, etc...) so that the candles would sit evenly.  Then I filled it with different size Christmas balls and beads. I love silver and gold together AND I also love anything with gold glitter.  :) I can't help it!

I forgot to take a picture of the tree!  It's standing right next to me in this picture.  Riggins has found a new spot underneath the tree where he likes to lay.  It's sorta sweet :)  The best part of the living room when it comes to Christmas spirit is hooking up my iphone to the speakers and listening to Martina McBride belt her holiday tunes. You can't forget Christmas music when you're wanting to set the Christmas mood! 

We are going to enjoy our Christmas house as long as we can! It always feels empty after we take it down so we have to soak it all up!

Thanks for stopping in and Happy Holidays!