Deck the Halls!

Decorating for Christmas has been a little different each year of marriage.

1. The first year was in El Paso.  We didn't have an idea about how our lives were going to change come January 1.  John's job and move to Norway came so sudden.  I loaded up on decor for our tree and it was beautiful!!   I have this gorgeous tree topper made by a family friend and lots of ornaments waiting for me in some storage unit in Houston somewhere.

2. Norway, was minimal.  We had a tree.  Minimal decor.  Seriously, Norway is one of THE most EXPENSIVE countries in the world.  I did splurge (after Christmas) and buy some beautiful holiday table linens, Advent candelabra.

3. Shanghai, again minimal.  Not sure if you are aware of this...but Christmas decor isn't easy to come by in China.  Unless you want red, shiny tinsel or a plastic Santa face to hang on your wall.

  So up with this tree full of IKEA balls:

Notice the pot it came in.  Not normally sold for temporary use.

 We did find this AMAZING decoration at a market.  

What English speaker doesn't want FACE during the holiday season??  Tell me that!  

4. Nanjing....fake tree and we headed home to Texas for Christmas!  Nothing new.

5. So here we are in Canada!!  Options are a bit closer to home, but get this, the minimal yet sentimental decor from our collective years together was left in a box in China.  Yes, it's still in China.  So once things settle, I get to deal with the staff at our Nanjing residence one last time and try to communicate what to send to us.  Heaven help me!  

Back to Canada decor...so, here we are again, with no decorations to start with.  I had to improvise a bit!!

1. Left over branches from the Christmas tree!  Ribbon and balls!

2. Carter's feet!!

3. A tree with all new ornaments...again.

And

4. My handmade tree skirt!!!  Cost all of $11.

5. Our first set of Family Stockings!  Yay!  (found on Etsy!)

6. Fancy Looney Store (Dollar Store) Noel sign.

7.  Biggest Poinsettia plant ever!  I won it at Bible Study!  Yesss!

8. Walmart garland, spruced up with ribbon and candles.  Fancy, fancy!

Our 5 Christmas cards!  Whoot whoot!  Please, don't feel bad, this is the most we've gotten since El Paso!  Major boost since moving from three stamps down to two stamp mailing!  We are so excited that people are mailing us stuff again!

I love decorating for Christmas!! I wish I could keep this stuff up year round.  Our new residence honestly feels like a home.  And we haven't really had this feeling in a while.  So so nice!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!