The theme from Tara for The Gallery this week is, of course: Christmas Tree.
When we moved to the US we didn’t pack any of our Christmas decorations. We left our baubles, lights, garlands, toys, ornaments, nativity scene: everything, at home. In the midst of packing, with a shipping allowance in mind, Christmas wasn’t a priority!
When it came to decorating the house last year, we had to buy everything. With our boxes (and boxes!) of stuff at home fresh in my mind, I kept our purchases to a minimum. We bought a tree, two boxes of baubles, some bead garlands and fairy lights, along with a wreath for the porch.
I marked our first year with a few special ornaments: a set of our initials and a 2012; ‘son’ and ‘daughter’ decorations from the Christmas shop at Quincy Market in Boston, personalised with the children’s names.
The tree looked lovely, but I will admit to missing the decorations that we had gathered over the years. I still do.
This year, I have added to our new decorations with some berry branches and some more lights to expand the festive feel beyond the tree. I also bought a little tinsel tree and baubles to go on the stairs and give us a little bit more sparkle as we move through the house. I bought a 2013 for the tree. I still have more fairy lights to put up :)
It’s not perfect, and it’s certainly not a patch on past Christmases, but it’s pretty and sparkly and the kids love it.
There is something special about sitting in the evening with the only lighting coming from the tree and fairy lights (some of our fairy lights stay up all year!).
We have lots of snow and the decorations are up. Christmas cards have started to arrive.
It’s beginning to feel very much like Christmas!
![50 Books 2013: Update [4]](https://mumturnedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/50-Books-20131-1024x512.jpg)
Same here, we left ours behind too but I’m slowly building up my collection again. My favourite thing is the glow from the tree when it’s dark. Your tree and decorations are beautiful :-)
Thank you :) I need to add some more personal decorations. I like the idea of the kids getting a new one each year. I love the glow from the tree! I hate taking it down…
Oh wow Sara – your tree and all the other decorations are looking wonderful. I bet it looks amazing at yours especially with all the snow outside *invites self over for mulled wine*
Thank you :) *pops mulled wine on the stove*
Lovely tree! I’ve just recently started with the special choosing of a Christmas ornament by T this year. I’m loving it. Love Christmas trees! :)
I love having a Christmas tree, it always feels so dull when we take it down!
That looks properly festive! It looks beautiful :) (Quite jealous!)
Thank you Sarah xx
Lovely tree, i love having the main room lights turned off and having the xmas tree lights sparkling from the corner of the room. I really miss them come January.
Oh, so do I! I leave some of the lights up all year :)
This looks Stunning!!! :D very Christmassy… were yet to get any snow, no idea how we haven’t as its sooo blinking cold! lol x
Thank you! The snow does make it feel very Christmassy :)
Wow. What an amazing tree. It looks fabulous! I love all your decorations.
Thank you xx
It all looks beautiful and I hope that you are feeling less stressed.
Thank you x And, I’m definitely feeling more organised now :)
Beautiful tree. It is one of the great joys of the season.
It really is, I love having our tree up x
Love the berry tree – looks fab
Thank you Mary x