I was really excited to decorate this Christmas. Last year we in full wedding mode so our house decorations were not a priority. Not to mention we were spending Christmas alone in Seattle. We got back to Seattle from our honeymoon on December 19th last year. I had originally said that I didn't want to mess with a tree but, once we got back, I felt that I needed one to make it feel homey and like Christmas. There wasn't much available that time of year so we got a bit creative. Now that we are in Texas I can decorate the way I really want to. Merry Christmas!!!
This is what Manny and I did last year. I told you we got creative! We could only find outdoor trees. So, we rigged them up in an Empty Carlo Rossi wine bottle and a beer mug that Manny had. We aren't boozers, I promise!
I have to admit that it didn't turn out too bad and it did the trick. It made our little Seattle Christmas feel like home. Looking back, it was a really nice way to spend our first Christmas as a married couple. We are definitely looking forward to spending this year with family though! 
This is what I did this year. I love having a mantel, especially in an apartment. It makes it feel more like a home. I used some of our normal mantel decor and then added a little Christmas. It's missing some garland. I have to get it from my mom!
This is my favorite Christmas decoration. My mom and BethAnn made this for me. (I actually gave them the idea with blog searching, but I love love love it. They did an awesome job!) It had to be the focal point of my mantel.
Manny gave me this bird apothecary jar and I normally have some feathers in it. For Christmas I decided to put some silver and white ornaments in there.
My mom gave Manny and I matching stockings. Now I have to say that my grandmother made me some FABULOUS stockings. I love them (yes she made me 2!). But Manny didn't have a stocking (or at least he said he didn't). I feel it's important to continue family traditions. Stockings have always been a big deal in my family and I wanted to bring Manny into that. He HAD to have a stocking. Since I love the ones my grandmother made for me, I plan on having them framed so I can put them up as decoration. I just haven't done it yet. Maybe by next Christmas!
Next to the fireplace, this jewel is sitting in the corner. Now, I keep this out all year because 1. it's beautiful and 2. it was my wedding cake topper.
Here is what I did with our dining area. I love decorating that hutch my mom got me. The tree is sticking out a bit because I am guilty of cramming this apartment full! It just wouldn't go any where else.
The tree was a bit of a debate in our house this year. Like I said before, I feel it is important to continue traditions. I kept asking and asking Manny what some of his traditions were. Well, the tree was one of them. They always got a real tree. I on the other hand had never done that. I was used to the fake prelit tree. I enjoy the convenience of having it prelit. I made a compromise. Since we do live in an apartment and on the 3rd FLOOR, I was not down with having a real tree. I told Manny that the first year we have a house we can get a real tree. One of the other things I love about this tree so much is that it is filled with all the ornaments that we made and used for our center pieces at our wedding last year. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of our wedding day!
The buffet.
This is special to me too. My mom gave Manny and I these ornaments as a wedding gift. Each ornament represents elements of marriage. I love it!
I filled an jar with some ornaments and of course put a picture of me and my cousins as babies on Christmas. Another gift from my mom and BethAnn.
I printed out this from one of my favorite blogs Dear Lillie. You have to check out her Etsy shop too!
Another view of the ornament filled jar.
This is my center piece for my dining table. These are ornaments from our wedding too. The bowl is actually a salad bowl but, it works!
Now this is my next project! I'll give you a little sneak peak! I have had this since I was in college. I loved it in my college room but, I've kind of out grown it. Not to mention that it doesn't match anything I have anymore. I love the bones of it though. I didn't want to get rid of it. I wanted to make it fit with the space. I have an idea up my sleeve.
It involves this paper and some paint! Stay tuned for the outcome! Maybe I'll have it done before the new year!
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