A Downsized Christmas

By Sheryl | December 7, 2013 |

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The above picture is in our front foyer. I did make the new wreath for the mirror and the Angel belonged to my Mom. It looks much different from years past (this is where we would have our nativity)  but it also feels festive enough for the season. Instead of the five trees, this year I put up only two.
The tree on the right was also my Mom’s along with the bulb ornaments. These were the last ornaments that she bought last year before she became sick and I love the colors. They are not expensive or anything out of the ordinary but they are special because she was still looking forward to Christmas when she bought them in October. This tree is our “kitchen” tree as it also holds our ornaments that are centered around the kitchen (along with a lot of wine glasses).

The tree on the left is our family room tree. Typically, it would hold many of our collectible ornaments but this year it holds only the ones which were easy to get out. As I am my Mother’s daughter, I pack everything up so carefully that it takes FOREVER to unpack each year. This year, I didn’t have the energy. I miss my other tress, the gold and bronze in the living room, the team tree with all of our teams and of course my shoe tree in the bedroom. I also miss my table top Christmas trees for the dining room but this year I am enjoying beautiful Christmas ornaments in a crystal bowl. As I stated in my post about Fall decorating, I do this for myself and I am proud of myself when I think of the decisions I have made to not get everything out. You can enjoy the season without going overboard and what matters is that you are listening to yourself and your needs. Choose your events wisely if you have been invited to something every weekend. Take time to rest (something I have trouble doing) and make time for things that you truly enjoy. Below is my cat Sam, he enjoys the throw and pillow in our living room everyday!
Don’t forget to follow along with the 25 days of Christmas ornaments with Amber Marie from After April. ]]>

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Posted in Favorites, life, thoughts

8 Comments

  1. Amber Marie on December 9, 2013 at 12:54 am

    I’m glad that you are still enjoying your decor without having to stress about it. Everything looks lovely! This is a season of reflection and it shouldn’t be stressful. Thanks so much for participating!



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on December 10, 2013 at 3:20 am

      Amber Marie, I haven’t been able to participate daily but I’m taking it day by day. I love the idea and could probably have a year’s worth of ornaments if I used all of them!



  2. Heather on December 9, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    Hi Sheryl! I’m Heather and I was wondering if you would be willing to answer my question about your blog! If you could email me at Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com that would be great!



  3. Janice P. on December 13, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Sheryl – this is wonderful. And your decorations are as gorgeous as I knew they would be. I can’t imagine what it was like with so much more!!!! Thanks for being so honest and giving the rest of us the right to do less this year if that’s what we want to do.



  4. Janice P. on December 13, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    Sheryl, catching up on old posts. I love this one . . . thanks for being so honest and giving the rest of us permission to recognize our own needs this holiday season!



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on December 15, 2013 at 1:59 am

      Thank you Janice. It helps to hear what others are feeling and I’m hoping to be a voice for all of us!



  5. Jennifer Durham on January 6, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    I can totally relate, I didn’t do much this Christmas at all. We were going to be out of town and I just didn’t have the energy to do much. I didn’t even feel like sending out Christmas cards this year, and I noticed that we didn’t receive as many as we usually do either. I think everyone needs a downsized Christmas every once in a while. I will say that what you did do was beautiful and I LOVE your kitty cat!!!



    • Sheryl at How to Make a Life on January 6, 2014 at 3:46 pm

      Jenny, we didn’t receive as many cards for Christmas either. I think so many of us are busy that there are things which we aren’t doing like we have done in the past. Sadly, for me to have chosen a downsized Christmas, it seemed to take far too long to put everything up this weekend. I do love the house after everything is up. And this picture of Sam is truly funny as being good is not really his favorite thing to do! 🙂