It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......

It's definitely beginning to look and feel like Christmas at home. 

I've popped some photos up of our Christmas decorations and some of the festive goods we've baked.

We've had most of our decorations for years now and each year I will usually add a few new tree decorations or replace something that's worn out and looking a bit tired.

We've gone for a subtle christmas look this year as we will be away in the lead up to Christmas and just wanted to keep things simple.

It is our first year with Melvin Mistletoe our "Elf on the Shelf" and I must say he is very good at keeping the boys on their best behaviour. We haven't had too many crazy antics from him, he just usually moves positions. He is a fun addition to our christmas celebrations.

Here is how Christmas is looking at our place - 

How are your Christmas preparations going? Are you in the festive spirit yet?

Wreath from Balsam Hill

Garlands from Ikea

Black signboard from Typo

Red Santa mailbox from Target

Gold Noel from Kmart

Wooden Star from Kmart

Bell jar of lights from Kmart

Wooden ornaments from Little Paper Lane

Gold ornaments from Domayne, Big W, Target, Freedom

Decorating our home for Christmas - wreaths, garlands and a reindeer!

It's my favourite time of the year and the excitement really starts once we put the Christmas decorations up.  As we are not hosting Christmas at our place this year and will be away for a couple of weeks, we have just popped up a few festive touches in each room. 

We haven't gone full on with the decorations this year!

One thing I do love is the garlands around the doors and mirrors. I picked up the ones we used this year from Ikea, they are thinner and more Scandinavian in look. The ones from last year were thicker and were from the Christmas Warehouse. You can see how they looked here

To hang the garlands we pop a couple of nails at the top of the door frame (it's high so can't be seen) then tie some fishing wire around the garland in 2 places and then hook them over the nails.

The nails stay up all year round, ready for the next year.

The finishing touch to our Christmas decorations is a wreath on the front door. We got a new one this year that lights up. You can set a timer for the lights so your home looks extra festive at night.

Our wreath was from Balsam Hill. They do beautiful trees and garlands too.

Here is our house, ready for Christmas - 

I'm feeling pretty happy that my Christmas shopping is finished, wrapped and under the tree.

I'm ready for the rest and relaxation to start!

How are your decorations and gifts coming along?

Christmas Decorations

Reindeer - was from Domayne a few years ago.

Alfresco Emporium and The Woodsfolk have them too

Advent Calendar - Domayne

Garlands - Ikea

Wreath with lights - Balsam Hill

Our tree was from Myer a few years ago. Decorations have been picked up from various places over the years. The peace decorations were from Pottery Barn last year.

Personalised stockings - Stuck on You

Here is a look at how we spent Christmas Day last year

Christmas 2014

Our Christmas - 2014

Christmas is over for another year and it was a fantastic one. The weather was great, the food was delicious and the company was amazing.

It was our turn to host this year and I think we pulled off a great Christmas for everyone. We were pretty busy through out the whole day and I forgot to get a family photo, so we recreated one today before I take the Christmas tree down!

The morning started at around 6.30am when the boys came in to let us know that Santa had been. Santa sacks were burrowed into and we opened presents around the tree.  The boys played with their new presents while Simon and I popped the turkey, pork and veggies in the oven. 

Nibbles were put out and a white Sangria and Pimms station were set up so people could help themselves throughout the day. Family started arriving at around 12pm and we opened more presents, caught up and snacked before lunch.

I had set the table the day before. We hired some trestle tables and chairs so we could all sit together at one table.  Simon and I made the crowns for everyone and instead of bonbons I had little gift bags with trinkets for everyone. Costume jewellery for the ladies, little toys for the kids, mini bottles of scotch for the men. Along with jokes, horoscopes, chocolates etc

I also decided a few days before that I desperately needed pink napkins so I decided to dye some of my white ones. It was too easy!

Lunch and dessert were consumed and we were all ready for a rest!

The kids cooled off in the pool and wore themselves out.Tea and coffee were needed as the day came to an end. Peppermint bark was the perfect accompaniment.

It felt like the day flew by but it was lovely to spend it at home surrounded by family.

We've taken it pretty easy the last few days since Christmas, we were all exhausted!

  Everyone has been happy to potter around at home and there are plenty of new toys to keep everyone entertained. Leftovers have been eaten and we are working away through the Christmas chocolate stash. 

I hope your Christmas was a wonderful one. How was it? Where did you spend it?

Did you get anything exciting for your Christmas gifts?

Last week......

Last week I started thinking about how I'm going to set the table for Christmas lunch. 

You can definitely see a theme happening here! 

Gold cutlery from West Elm and gold charger plates from Kmart.

The Christmas tree went up and I started to decorate the rest of the house. 

A full post to come on all my festive decorating!

I gave my blog a little bit of a make over.

We celebrated my mum's birthday

and continued with dinner and cocktails at Hugo's

It was a busy week with kindy Christmas concerts, a start on the Christmas shopping and sending out lots of orders of Honey and Fizz prints and banners before I close up shop for the year next week.

How has your week been? What have you been up to?