a peek inside

We started decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I love Christmas! It is so much fun having little kids around during this season. Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes is just magical. They oooh-and-ahhh at every little thing and they just notice all the little details that I overlook sometimes.

I got these little "ho ho ho" letters on clearance after Christmas last year at Target. I thought they were so unique and they go perfectly with our red and green color scheme.

Stockings. Ok so here's my story... When Camden was born right before Christmas SIX (still can't believe it) years ago, we only bought 3 stockings. One for each of us. What we didn't think about was going ahead and buying more in case our family expanded. Even if we had wanted to buy more, we probably wouldn't have because we were POOR back then. I mean DIRT poor. So, for the last 2 Christmas that Anderson has been around, we've used the same old 3 stockings we already had, plus one tiny measly one I added to the mix just so we wouldn't feel bad that he didn't have a stocking. So, for the past 2 years, and this year, we contemplated buying a whole new set of stockings in case our family expands again but just couldn't bear the thought of dropping close to $85-$100 just for new stockings.

So, this year we happened to come across these babies that we just loved... so I looked at the price tag and they were $2 a piece! Score! I snatched them right up. They go right along with our fun and colorful Christmas style.

The whole mantel. I love decorating the mantel! Ours is pretty simple. And by simple, I mean I don't have any more decorations to add to it even if I wanted to.

Don't you laugh at our tiny tree! (below)

(We had to move the console table over so the tree would fit. Didn't want you to think we were completely incapable of hanging shelves so they are centered :) Also, the shelf on the left looks crooked, but I'm pretty sure it's just the picture.

Our sweet little tree is only 6 ft tall. When we first got married (when we were dirt poor, remember?) we could only afford a small one, and I don't know if our small apartment would have held a much bigger tree. My goal is to try to get a pre-lit, 7.5 tree half off after Christmas this year. Pre-lit being the key word. Putting lights on the Christmas tree has proven to NOT be my husbands favorite thing to do. :) I also have no earthly idea where our tree skirt went. Maybe it ran away since it knew I secretly hated it. It was way too big for our tree,and it got bunched up if you even looked at it the wrong way. I am planning on getting a mini-tree skirt, but Target "didn't order any this year". Gee thanks!

My favorite part of our tree... our star topper that I got on clearance at Swoozie's (RIP wonderful store) several years ago.

I have this sitting out on one of our bookshelves... it's a little plaque Camden made in preschool when he had just turned four. It's a cross made out of his fingerprints, complete with a fingerprint angel as well. I love it!

I am a sucker for cute little holiday figurines to set around the house in different places. These are salt and pepper shakers. I got these, along with the snowman below, after Christmas for a few cents each. I can't wait to go again this year after Christmas and see what I can get for next to nothing!

I'd love to have a peek into your decorated home as well. :) Happy Demember!