O Christmas Tree

Decorating our Christmas tree is by far the highlight of my holiday decorations. It goes up as soon as possible after Thanksgiving Day, and doesn't come down until after the New Year. Which I cannot believe is already here, but I started taking it down today and am already sad to see it go. I went a little Christmas crazy last year, so Bo forced me I toned it down a little and the only additions we have to our holiday decorations are a few new ornaments - an absolute must!

Our annual crystal ornament

Annual ornament from my mom

A belated Christmas 2012 ornament from Bo's mom

I confess that I've been on the hunt for a good dog ornament ever since Molly was a puppy. I finally found these custom hand-painted ornaments on Etsy (Artdog Ornaments shop) for only $16...how could I not get them?! Aren't they the cutest!! Bo thought I was ridiculous for ordering them (possibly true...) but even he admitted they turned out awesome. Purchase justified ;)  I love them.

Molly

Abby

The rest of our new ornaments this year were all from our travels this year:

Totally random find during our Staycation in January

Birthday gift from Adrienne when I visited her in Chicago - so sweet! And perfect since I couldn't find one during my trip :)

classic Parisian ornament from our trip in February

  


Since Dubai does not have any Christmas ornaments, I bought these next two figurines and crafted them into ornaments when we got home. Turned out pretty well and we love them!

from our Desert Safari in Dubai in February

from the top of the Burj Khalifa, also in Dubai

and last but not least (and certainly not classiest!) - a mini barrel from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in September

And here is our tree all decorated! I love that it is full of so many wonderful memories.

It was a pretty good tree, though not my favorite. I missed going to the tree farm in North Carolina so we might bring back that tradition when we switch holidays again next year. And this tree was a little small for my taste, at only 8 feet tall. If you know my dad, you know his obsession with huge Christmas trees which I have entirely inherited. As has my brother Paul, we all found out this year when he got his first tree. Like father, like son (and daughter!). Apparently we are all related to Clark Griswold ;)
 

Mom & Dad's tree on the left; Paul & Sarah's on the right !!

 A stroll down Christmas Tree memory lane... 2012 and 2011