As Snooki would say: the party’s here!
The tree is up. This year, now that Clara is older and can handle real ornaments (we still placed a few shatter‑proof ones at the very bottom), we chose a gradient theme from white to hot pink to red. It feels bold and fun—boom goes the dynamite.
We have several sentimental ornaments that we cherish, but those live on our small tabletop tree (we bought one last year and it became an instant tradition). We’ll share that little tree soon—just waiting until we pick it up so it stays fresh and lively through the season.
For this large tree we wanted the color to deepen as it approached the floor. We already owned white ornaments from our 2007 silver tree and soft pink pieces from 2010, plus some handmade ornaments from last year’s Pinterest challenge, so we just bought a handful of hot pink and red baubles to complete the look. Thanks to sales at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, those extras only cost about twelve dollars total.
My husband preferred a straightforward white‑to‑red scheme with some silvery‑pink ornaments mixed in, but I convinced him to add hot pink for extra punch. We arranged the ornaments in horizontal bands: white at the top, then light pink, hot pink, and bright red at the bottom. A few inexpensive candy canes fit the palette perfectly, so they joined in too.
We used faux sheepskins from IKEA as a simple, cozy tree skirt. Also, check out the little bicycle ornament we picked up at Target for a steal.
We went without a topper this year. We prefer to wait until we find one we truly love rather than settling for something that doesn’t feel right.
Meet Glowy Glowerson—our tree after dark. It has such a warm, cheerful glow.
Because I love lists, here’s my holiday to‑do list. I don’t stress about it, but crossing items off gives me a serious endorphin hit. Full disclosure: if time runs out, I’ll still cross things off for the satisfaction of it.
set up the big tree (gradient, baby!)- get a live tabletop tree again (like we did last year – this time we have a new ornament idea)
- decorate the mantel, the built‑ins, and the entryway console
- hang the outside lights and style the front porch
- shoot a Christmas photo of Clara and Burger for our annual holiday card
- make an advent calendar for Clara (I’m a little behind on this one!)
- shop for and/or make all the gifts on our list (about half done—almost there)
A quick tour through past years: in 2007 and 2008 we stuck with the white and silver scheme, which felt classic and elegant.
In 2009 we experimented with citrus tones and even used dried fruit as homemade ornaments for a natural, festive look.
In 2010 we went with a playful mix of green, pink, and silver shimmer—a very different vibe but so fun.
Here’s our tabletop tree from last year, decorated with homemade ornaments I made for a Pinterest challenge. It was small, colorful, and full of charm.
Last year’s big tree featured paint chip ornaments and colorful ribbons—nothing fragile, since Clara was still little at the time.
It all feels pretty festive. What are you doing to get into the holiday spirit? Are you already singing carols, or holding off until the perfect date? Do you make lists just so you can cross things off? Are you crafting homemade gifts, food, or advents this year? I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
Psst—If you want more holiday projects and photos, check out our holiday gallery with tons of ideas and inspiration.
Update: You can also browse our favorite holiday decor picks—many affordable options under $15.