Merry & Mod at home

tree trimming

Every December, I fall in love with our Christmas tree. With our precious ornaments (which become more so annually as a few are broken every year) and tiny white lights on a sparse, wild tree, we are truly bringing nature and light to our dark winter days. 

I have wanted a proper tree skirt for years, but could never find the serendipitous combination of one I liked and the funds to procure it. This year I considered something thrifted before discovering I could make my own with materials I already had. Ha! I love it when that happens. About eight years ago I purchased yards and yards of chocolate brown ultra suede, intending to recover a chair. Obviously that's not going to happen. So I cut a simple circle, the perfect size for our small corner, wrapped it around my tree stand and felt very merry indeed. 

 

in full swing

We are in full swing holiday mode around here and I've been loving it. In fact, there has been very little stress involved in the preparations. This is a direct result of my decision not to give as many handmade gifts. Oh, we have nearly three gallons of coffee liquer infusing in the pantry, and there will be a batch of muffins later this week, and plans for peppermint bark, but not the crazy a-crocheted-hat-for-every-person-in-my-family kind of thinking that usually consumes my December. 

Yesterday, I finished a huge project that I've been working on for several months, got the boys started on a holiday painting project, wrapped all the teacher gifts, and put together 80 holiday cards. And I was in bed before 11pm! It feels miraculous. I'm about to treat myself for my productivity by getting bundled up and doing some local shopping downtown, but not before I tell you about the wrapping paper we made. 

I found the instructions in Kid Made Modern, an inspiring library discovery. Simply put: paint with festive, pearly colors on bubble wrap, press an opened brown paper bag (even I forget my reusables at the grocery store sometimes!) on top, let dry. Ta da! Holiday polkadot wrapping paper. So fun! And pretty! Nearly free! 

(The gifts are luscious bars of La Lavande soap purchased locally at Pomegranate Home and Garden for all the wonderful teachers in our lives.)