We got our live tree for the foyer (I think it's 12' this year), as usual, the weekend after Thanksgiving. The boys got all my outside decorations up that weekend as well (Attached Pic 1- Front porch/door). I made the lighted garland, decorations and the Williamsburg arch over the door. Everything is now on the tree (Attached Pic 2- This year's tree), and all the decorations are finally up around the house, except my kids displays which they will do (Christmas dollhouse, train set, and monorail). Lest I repeat myself, If you want, you can read more about my Christmas obsession at last years blogs here on LBT:

12/4/08 Fa la-la-la-la... - LAP-BAND®®®®®

The tree/ornaments:

12/29/08 It looks like someone threw up ornaments on our tree! - LAP-BAND®®®®®

Oh, and if you're wondering why my mantle has a nativity with a pink light in it that makes it look more like a brothel than a crèche (Attached Pic 3), then you must read my last year's blog with my very favorite family Christmas read: 12/17/08 I Believe in Santa! - LAP-BAND®®®®®

In this pic you can also see 2 of the 3 cradles my kids made on the hearth...read: 12/6/08 Traditions...What's in Your Shoes? - LAP-BAND®®®®®

I love setting the Dining Room table for Christmas (Attached Pic 4 & 5- Dining Room). I made the decorations and fruit cone on the table. My MIL gave me a few pieces of Lenox Holiday Christmas china that someone had given her and that got me started on setting up service for the holidays. I didn't select a china when we got married as our everyday setting was expensive, so it's fun for me to set out this china once a year.

So get going folks and Deck the Halls!!

I was hoping to cop a view of the kitchen tool tree too! Oh well, maybe another post! Looks absolutely lovely and I LOVE the deep crimson in your dining room! Fabulous!

Wow I could use some decorating tips from you.. We have a little 4 ft tree and snowflakes on the windows.. LOL Looks beautiful...

Your home is absolutely beautiful!!! I wish I was talented in the decorating department. I dont have a creative bone in my body.

Okay, now I'm too embarassed to show pics of my house! Beautiful job, I'm sure your family appreciates it.

LOL...4 yr. degree in Art Education and I'm burning myself with a glue gun LOL (nothing you all couldn't do...well, minus the burns. See those three straight vases on the Dining room buffet/left...drop in some ornaments...no burns!), but thanks! And Michelle, as a former art Teacher I LOVE snowflakes!!! When my three were little my house was loaded with those and kiddie vinyl clings on the windows that they rearranged daily!

Kay- I'll try to take more pics tomorrow of my tiny kitchen tree (it limits you to 5 attachments).

Hey friend, the house looks amazing! Still havent done the tree :sneaky: cant get hubby to get it in the house!

You have a beautiful home and the decorations are lovely! Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you!

That looks amazing!

I bought two outdoor light up penguins last year and I havent even put them out yet...last year, as you saw, we just put lights on the Christmas cactus but thats gone now...those pix are beautiful and might motivate (shame) me into getting started!!

So beautiful!!!! In the last pic, are those old wood thread spools? I can't really tell what they are but that's what they look like! I have a few of them and love displaying them!!

Yep DB, just one of my many collections...I have some candles in some of them and turn ornaments upside down in some for the holidays...they sparkle with the candles burning. Hope you had a great holiday! -BG