Peacock Christmas

Conversation 1 month ago at Hobby Lobby...

Me: Mom, look at this amazing peacock ribbon.  Wouldn't it be amazing on a Christmas tree?

Mom:  It is beautiful.  You know, I have a box of peacock ornaments in my basement.  You're welcome to borrow them.

When I described Christmas at my parents as "Santa throwing up," I certainly wasn't kidding.  Who do you know that randomly has a box of peacock ornaments (not even opened) in their basement?  I've decided not to question it, considering I'm reaping the benefits!

Several weeks later, I awoke to the annoying ring of my telephone...

Mom: I have a white Christmas tree you can borrow for your peacock tree.

Me:  You're not going to use it.

Mom:  No, I don't have a place for it this year...and it is pre-lit.

I'll be honest, she had me at pre-lit.  I despise to put Christmas lights on a tree.  I'm not sure why it took me until 2009 to join the pre-lit revolution.

Anyhow, here is the tree...

As you can imagine, Mom came and decorated it (yes, I'm 30...No, I have no shame).

Just a little FYI...I created this fantastic collage using tips and tutorials from...

Sarah at Clover Lane and Kate at Centsational Girl.

Christmas Decorations

So, if you know anything about my mom...you know Santa throws up in her house annually (beginning in October).  Her decorating is insane, and I often wonder why and how she does it.  I just don't feel like I have the energy and desire to decorate as much as she does.

I usually put up the same snowmen, same trees, same decorations yearly and don't even think twice about them.  This year, I decided to go out on a limb and change a few of the decorations.  So, I'm going to show a few off this week.  I'm also going to provide a tutorial or two for the ones I made.  Hopefully, I'll pick up my house enough to photograph my very unusual tree (definitely Mom's idea).

Today, I want to show you my newest decorations that I made several nights ago.

When you walk in the back door of my house, you are typically greeted with a display of photos in matching frames.  My goal was to use supplies and items I already had and only add something if absolutely necessary.  So, here is how these cuties came about.

I purchased a lot of five paper star ornaments at Michael's (the only newly purchased part of this).

I spray painted the five ornaments with some leftover paint I had from a previous project.

While waiting on the stars to dry, I took some Christmas scrapbooking paper and cut triangles to fit the stars.

With my favorite crafting tool, I used Mod Podge to apply the triangles to the spray painted stars.

After applying the scrapbook paper, I covered the entire ornament with Mod Podge.  Once the ornament was dry, I applied another layer.

Taking the picture frames that are typically on top of the bookshelves, I cut white paper to cover the pictures.  Then, I looped ribbon through the back hanger and attached the ornaments.

The final step (I didn't photograph) was to hot glue a button to the center of the ornament.  Don't you think they look super cute on my bookshelf?

I also added ribbon to my candles.  These are so fun because they are items I always have out, but they have a new twist for the holidays.

Christmas Ornaments

I feel like I've called every ornament my favorite this week.  It's a difficult decision.  However, this one certainly holds a special place (without a doubt).

In 2003, Dad accepted the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award  (his speech from the day).  We all traveled (including my minister, many legislators, friends, etc.) to Boston and spent a weekend enjoying festivities with the Kennedy family.  The weekend was bittersweet.  We went through a lot getting to that moment, but it was certainly worth it.  The afternoon before departing Boston, I purchased an ornament in order to commemorate the experience.  This gorgeous ornament (shaped like a drum even though you can't tell in this photo) means a lot to me.

I saved the best for last!

Christmas Ornaments

Growing up, my name was super unique.  Because it was so atypical, I never found any personalized memorabilia.  However, I do specifically remember Mom finding some barrettes, but I think I was in high school (and never wore them).  I recently read a list of the most popular names, and I was amazed to see my name on the list.  Because my name was so difficult to find when I was young, people now purchase ornaments with my name on a regular basis.  So, I have at least ten adorning my tree.  Here are a few of them...

Christmas Ornaments

Allison and John visited the Biltmore House a couple of years ago.  I asked Allison to return with an ornament because I wanted to include one in my collection.  When she returned, this is what she gave me...

You can see why she would look at this and think Biltmore House, right?  I was humored.  Then, she pulled this one out and said it was the one she truly bought to memorialize the location.

Still not exactly what I was expecting, but at least it does say Biltmore at the bottom.

Christmas Ornaments

Being an aunt is one of the most special aspects of my life.  I adore the time I spend with each of them, and I cherish the differences between their personalities.  They are each so unique with different interests.  Every year, I receive some sort of handmade ornament from them.  Here are a few I added to my tree this year.

Christmas Ornaments

While in college, I spent the holidays one year with a friend and his family in Mississippi.  After I returned, I received a small package with a porcelain ornament from his mom (the epitome of a Southern woman).  She included a letter describing the artist and how she only made a small number of ornaments annually.  Today, my friend lives in New York, so I seldom get to see him.  However, I remember all the fun and silly times we shared while growing up over the four years of college.

Christmas Ornaments

As a teacher, you receive a TON of Christmas ornaments.  I certainly have my favorites. While teaching, I had one student that I will FOREVER remember and whom will always have a special place in my heart.  He gave me this ornament, and it will always have an equally special place on my tree!

Christmas Ornaments

Whenever I travel, I love to pick up an ornament or two to symbolize the trip.  Now as I look back at them, I remember the trips, who I was with, and the memories I made along the way.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Africa

Angels made from banana leaves.

Ireland

Mexico

London

Christmas Ornaments

All of my Christmas ornaments have a story.  Last year, Mom and I decorated my tree together.  I handed her ornament after ornament and told her the story that went along with each and every one.  As she helped me again this year, I thought it might be nice to share a few of the special ones with y'all.  So, this week I am going to feature a couple of my favorite ornaments.

With an ode' to the anniversary of Sesame Street, I figured I'd begin with my childhood crew.  These were my faves as a youngster, and I'm still quite attached to them now.  They're stinking adorable!

Ironically, Elmo is not a part of the set...guess he wasn't as big in the early 80s.  Anyway, more ornaments to come tomorrow.