It’s been a full year, which made Christmas pop out of nowhere. I often hear people say, “Oh, we’re not ready” or “It came too fast.” This year, I’m in that boat. I LOVE Christmas! The dcor, carols, sugar cookies, Christmas movies, mittens, lights and friends and family getting together. However, this is the first year that I didn’t get to any of it. I’ve enjoyed the lights on homes and smile as I drive by and see a big tree in the window twinkling with glee. It makes me think of my own tree (that didn’t get put up this year!) Oy!

Everyone has their own way of decorating their Christmas tree. First, what kind of tree do you want, real or fake? I grew up with real and used to wait for the day to go pick one out or cut one down! Over the years, I have gone to the other side. Mainly because as my love for Christmas dcor grew, I have wanted to put it up early and leave it up longer. I have put my tree up as early as September and have taken it down as late as March. You can’t do that with a real tree! Or maybe you’re allergic to Christmas trees! Ha!

The lights go on next. I’m personally a classic white light gal. I follow the rule – 100 lights for every foot of tree. I drape pearly iridescent beads around the tree that sparkle off of the lights. Sometimes I forget these until the end and it’s always more difficult. Next the ornaments, bigger ones first – large bulbs tucked into the holes. My tree is trimmed with red, white and silver ornaments, everything from unique bulbs, stars, snowflakes and crystal raindrops. I put six of each ornament and divide them as evenly as possible. I add a touch more of glitter and color by adding in greenery pics here and there, giving the tree more fullness as well.

For the finishing touch, a tree topper! I have always loved the angel on the top of the tree. Did you know it is hard to find the perfect angel to fit the top of a tree? I have now bought three angels and so far I haven’t been able to get any of them to perch on the top of my tree. Luckily enough all of them sit nicely on tabletops! The star is a classic as well. Whatever you choose in your Christmas decorating, make it your own and rejoice that we have freedoms to celebrate our beliefs.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to another fabulous year. Cheers!