Getting ready for Christmas

 

Last year I knew going into the Holidays that we needed a new Christmas Tree and some decorations. Our old tree got moldy from a leak in our basement and most of our ornaments didn't make our last move. We decided on a red, white, and silver theme and went with that. I ordered a 7.5 foot tree with lights that could be either white or colored depending on how you feel each day. This tree was originally like 300.00 and I got it for I believe 43.13. I have to say it is the best tree we have had so far. Easy to set up and take down. We are very happy with it. 

I also bought new garland, penguin ornaments, gingerbread man decorations, and white, silver, and white decorations to go with everything. We even made a few decorations from crafts I had stashed for years. I also ordered a star in red. It isn't quite what we were looking for so I will be looking at new toppers for next year. The star goes well with the multi-colored lights but not so well with the white so we just left the star off when we had the white lights on. We live on a strict budget so buying things on sale is a must. I also ordered one of those glass trees with multi-colored lights because they remind me of my grandmother and aunts. It was also something my mom always wanted but never got. For a splurge, I bought a family of Moose decorations for our home. They are so cute. 

This year I would like to add a tree skirt (ours went missing) or tree box, a lighted wreath, some lighted pine garland, and some of those deer sets that light up for our porch. If I had to splurge I would buy those lamps that look like the lamps out of Narnia. I also want to get letters for each of the stockings so it is easier to keep track of whose stocking is whose. 

I showed my husband several ideas for how I want to hang the stockings this year and with a little thinking outside the box we are going to be able to make what I would like with things we already have on hand. Can't wait to show you all later in the year. Anyways those are my goals for Christmas this year. 

Great Gift Idea for mulitple people

One of the best things we did this year for Christmas that I would like to share with you was buying an assortment of candles. We got a great deal during the candle deal from Yankee Candle. The best part is that they were all shipped to my home. We still do most of our shopping from home. 

We placed them all on the desk in our living room and each of my children's family chose two scents they would like to take home with them as a gift and the rest we would use throughout the year to come. I think this went over well and I am going to do this again.

I did have a little insight into the scents they liked so I chose around those and then ordered some new to us scents. I loved a few that were chosen so we will be ordering those scents again. I know this is late but an early idea for next year for those who have multiple families to gift to. 

Reading Log 2022 for MarksvilleandMe

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This year was really hard on our family. Where I thought I would have all the time in the world to read I found myself instead fighting for my life. Stage 3 Colon Cancer really gave me a hard time. We did get in a few books though and I will share them below. One of my bucket list items is reading the whole set of Nancy Drew books. I have read many over the years some more then once but wanted to do them in order.