Dec. 1st marks the day when we start decorating for Christmas at our house.

 

This year we have three trees up in the house, with a fourth one still waiting in the basement to see if we choose to put it up this year.

 

We have the front porch railing decorated with greenery, red, green, and white lights. There are a total of 1040, lights this year on the railing alone. A change this year is that I didn't swag the greenery, it just goes straight along the railing, plus it is new greenery that is more full than what I've used in previous years. I also left the white flower boxes this year. In the past, I've always taken them down and put them away. This year I filled them with red and white poinsettia and white lights. Sure looks unique.

 

I don't know if we are done outside yet. Usually I put lights on the bushes also. I can still add that if I want.

 

Inside we have the three trees decorated:

 

3 ft. - white lights, red and green raffia bows, red and gold glass balls and clear with gold glitter icicles.

 

4 ft. - red, white, and green lights, red and gold balls, red tipped with gold glitter poinsettia, and red beads.

 

6 ft. - This tree is taking on a different decorating style this year. In the past it has had white lights, purple beads, purple and gold glass balls, plus oblong gold and silver glass ornaments, green/purple ribbon ... and so on. This year it still has the white lights with an added set that changes to twinkle or whatever you set it at. Alexis likes the twinkle to change so it alters in speed a bit. It also keeps the purple beads. From that point on, it will be however the kids decorate it. They get to decide what they want on it this year. I will add that photo to the album when they get done decorating it.

 

I spent this morning setting up the Nutcracker Collection. It has spread from the fireplace top to each side of the fireplace this year. It just keeps getting bigger with every passing year. (NOTE that the fireplace mantle has finally beed added and stained!!! That is also new this year!)

 

We also received our first Christmas card in the mail from John and Joan Peterson in Arkansas yesterday! That is something I have to do soon. I went to WM to pick out a box. I didn't like anything they had, so it's off to shopping somewhere else for Christmas cards.  Has anyone else noticed the lack of Christmas stuff at WM this year?

 

Anyway, everyone have a great day!