Christmas this year has been very low-key in my household. For one, I have been so busy with work and haven’t had time to fully decorate and immerse myself into my usual Christmas routines. Secondly, my kids are a bit older now and they don’t get as excited over some of the Christmas traditions we are accustomed to doing as a family. And finally, many of you know about my big move in the summer to a much smaller home. Well, I honestly still haven’t quite settled into our new home, many rooms are still pretty bare, and so the usual Christmas decorating bug didn’t hit me quite as hard this year.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still very much in the Christmas spirit, we are just celebrating in a much different way this year.
One major reason for the change in Christmas routines is that my family has gotten a bit bigger this year. I met a new beau a few months ago and we have been dating since August. I am finally meeting his two children for the first time, and so they are spending Christmas at my home. I really wanted them to immediately feel like they are a part of my family, and so I waited to decorate, so they could help pick out a tree, decorate it and put up lights etc. I decided to step back and just let them have fun decorating the tree without worrying about what it will look like afterwards. It is very difficult to do that when you are a Decorator, but I think they did a great job
Here’s what they did:
We went from three stockings to six at the mantel. The kids added the live garland with lights (with my help) and they got to pick out all the ornaments they wanted to use. We even went shopping for a family ornament together. One that we’ll use year after year. It is a mini cloche with a bird on a branch…..very cute.
They were so excited about decorating the tree! I went out shopping for last minute gifts and came back to the this:
The kids strung lights up the stair rail. They are officially excited to be here! Yay!!! That’s all I really wanted!
Of course both my nativity scenes had to be prominently placed by the fireplace hearth. This one was a gift from my late husband about 12 years ago. The Shepherd broke a few years ago, but I still put it out every year….usually with a bit more decorative pizzazz. But it wouldn’t be Christmas in my home without it.
This other nativity scene was also a gift from a friend. In years past, I would have placed it in a bookshelf or a table top, but this year I left it by the fireplace.
We are planning for the next few days leading up to Christmas to do some super fun stuff! Saturday afternoon we went ice-skating (at least the kids did. Sunday we went to church and then for a nice lunch, and tonight we are planning to go look at Christmas lights around the city – that should be fun!
So we are finally ready for Christmas Day…..although there are just a few more gifts to wrap. The kids are all super excited to open their many presents. I am really excited just to see their reactions. The most important gift that I would like to share with them while they are in my care is the true reason for why we celebrate Christmas. The special heavenly gift that was so lovingly given to mankind over 2000 years ago, is still as important and relevant today as it was back then.
Ever since my kids were very young, I would read them the Christmas story from The Bible (Matthew 1:18-23) before they open presents on Christmas Morning. I don’t care how old they get, that tradition will always remain and hopefully passed on to the next generation
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, I did manage to make a short Christmas video for my clients, fans and followers on social media. Take a look, and please give a thumbs up if you liked it.
I will do my best to keep blogging for the rest of the year, but I will be mostly working on mapping out my plans for my business for 2014 and beyond.
What are some of your big plans and goals for 2014?
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best the season has to offer. Hoping the new year will be filled with love, joy, peace, good health and prosperity.
Please feel free to connect with me and contact me here. You can also find links to my online store and my design portfolio there.
Have a marvelous Monday!
Be Inspired!
Your decorations are fabulous! New traditions are just as fine as old ones
As long as you have a few memorable decorations, and a nativity, and family & friends to share it with, that’s all that matters. The true reason for Christmas is celebrating the birth of our Savior. So often we forget about that with all the gift giving and parties and other expectations. Merry Christmas dear friend!
Thanks Loretta! You are absolutely right. This year I decided to simplify and not get too caught up in what our culture calls Christmas (or the holidays for that matter). I think back on how we celebrated back home in Jamaica when I was growing up, and Christ and family was always front and center. Wishing you and family a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year!
I agree with Loretta! Your decorations are fabulous! God bless your family and best wishes to new beginnings and traditions! Hugs!
Thank you Yvonne! All the best to you for the Christmas season and blessings for the new year
I love your decor and style. This is really great work. I wish I had that talent. My plans are the same to prep for 2014! You have a great Holiday!!!
Thank you so much! You have a blessed Christmas and all the best for the new year!
Everything looks awesome. The kids add that special charm.. always, to me, a must at Christmas. My tree always has some ‘ kindergarden treasures’ on it and my “kids’ at 30+.. And of course I am pleased that the nativity set was part of your musts.. for what is Christmas without a nativity. Enjoy your blended Christmas – it looks great.
Thank you Terry! I was tempted several times to move stuff around but I just let them do their thing. They are so proud of what they did and so am I. All the best to you for the Christmas season!
Beautiful decor! Sounds like a wonderful Chrustmas with your new extended family!
Thank you Jessica! So far so great!
Congrats on all the amazing new moves you have made this past year! It has been great getting to know you throughout this year!! Have a great Holiday and Happy New Year! I look forward to reading and talking to you more and more!!
Thank you Rob! It has been a pleasure getting to know you and being a part of KungPhoo.com. I look forward to seeing you take it all the way in 2014. Wishing you all the best for the holiday season
Your house looks wonderful!! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family!!
Thanks Caitlin! Wishing the same for you and family!
Beautiful! thanks for all the little creative ideas u made.
I just bought a few decorations for my apt.
Thanks Eng! All the best to you!
I can feel your warmth in your words, decor, wishes, video. Great approach to integrating your beaus children. They are fortunate to be part of your life. Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2014 for us all.
Thanks Roslyn! All the best to you for the Christmas season and I wish for you a new year filled with joy and prosperity
That is great that your kids participated to help make them feel welcome. Your home looks beautiful. Happy Holidays to you all.
Thanks Casey! All the best for the Christmas season and the new year!
What a special Christmas you’re going to have and well deserved.
Thanks Marjory
Very nice decor and looks like you’re going to have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks Jeff! I plan on it
The decorations look wonderful!
Merry Christmas to you and all your lovely ones around!
Thank you Simona
What a great way to start new traditions with the new additions to your family. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
Thank you Brad! All the best to you as well!
Great decorations! Soubds like u have a lot of fun planned for the holidays with ur new man and his kids.
Exciting to have more peeps to celebrate with! Have a fab holiday Veronica!♥♥
It is exciting Dani! Thank you!
So how was your holiday?:) Big plans for New Years?
I had a great holiday! Thanks Dani. Hope yours was too. Headed to Fl to ring in the new year. Happy new year to you and Tom
Thank u Veronica! Have fun in FLIGHT! We r heading to Vegas!
Ooooo! Vegas baby! Have fun!
Thank you!!
Your kids did a great job with the decorations. Hope your Christmas goes well. Thanks for stopping by my blog, it’s nice to meet you.
Thanks Yvonne! My pleasure. Enjoy the holiday season and all the best for the new year.
How wonderful that the kids got to decorate…and it looks great!
Thank you!
Great holiday story. Looks like 2014 is going to be a good year!
We plan on it. Thanks Irene! Merry Christmas
The children did a great job! I know they’ll adore you because you’re one terrific lady. Merry Christmas!
Awwwww. Thank you Tina! So far so great! Merry Christmas to you!
Hopefully 2014 will be even better. I plan on working my business to the fullest. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas. Stay blessed!!
Thank you Marielle! Wishing you all the best for the Christmas season and the new year!
What a wonderful idea to have your beau’s children help you decorate. Seems to me you got some points for that!! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!!
I think I did Meli! Thank you! Merry Christmas
Everything looks just beautiful. Welcoming, nativity and family centered. Love it. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you!
Very nicely put together! I enjoyed your Christmas story. It was so nice of you to wait until your boyfriends kids could help decorate, so they wouldn’t feel left out. They all did a Beautiful job of decorating! That is such a neat tradition you have going on reading about the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you and family!
Great to include all the kids in your decorating! Have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you Terri! All the very best to you
I love all your decorations, they are beautiful. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Carele. All the best to you for the holidays
Your home is beautiful and love your holiday decor. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Stephanie! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you Veronica. I also moved to a smaller home 2 years ago and got rid of the majority of my decorations however I have 3 nativity’s that go out and that makes it Christmas in my home. One was mine forever, given to me many many years ago, one was my mothers who is no longer with us and one was given to me by my sister in law because it is a Lladro and no one else in the family likes Lladro and she wanted to make sure I had it because I can appreciate it!! I love them all,
Oh and we have a couple of santas riding Harleys…. that says Christmas too!!
Santa on Harley…..now that’s pretty cool! Thanks Dani and Merry Christmas to you!
I like the nativity collection
Are they make of clay ?
Thanks Dov! One is ceramic and I think the other might be resin
Your Christmas tree is beautiful! Hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year For You and your Family!