Tales of the Allen Family: Ready for Christmas

We started getting ready for Christmas this year before Thanksgiving. On a nice Saturday before Thanksgiving, we put up the lights on the outside of the house. We knew we were going to be gone Thanksgiving and it never fails we wait and have to put them up when it is freezing outside. So glad we did it before hand, even though John had to convince me that it was a good idea. We did hold back and not turn them on until after Thanksgiving.

I think I need to take pictures as night because it looks a lot better. You really can’t see the lights in these pictures. One morning we had a little snow, so Noah took a picture for us. Santa was deflated in that picture.

When we got back home after Thanksgiving, we started decorating the inside. This year the ideas were flowing, more than the time needed to complete all of them; but we gave it a shot! As you walk in the front door we have a nativity. We put baby Jesus in this one.

Then you have our fireplace with the stockings hung with care. Our two little trees are starting to become our team trees. The one on the left is the OSU tree, next year I’ll have my A&M tree.

More Nativity scenes, pictures, and statues. Can’t have enough. The little one on the shelf doesn’t have baby Jesus in it yet. I’ve always liked putting Him out after mass on Christmas Eve.

Our kitchen bar with our family Santa picture, nativity, candy cane holder, and Santa beach candle.

Our kitchen table with the Advent Wreath. On our entertainment cabinet we put “snow” and some lights with the festive decorations.

We added our blue and sliver ornaments to our wreath this year, since they no longer get used on the tree. I also used some to make a center piece for our dining room table.

I made my first big bow to hang Christmas cards on. I just did plain ribbons last year, so this year I tried to be a little fancy. I used glittered snow-flaked ribbon, looks great in the led Christmas lights; but had to figure out a way to get the cards to stick to the ribbon.

I also ordered online a magnetic advent calendar/nativity scene. I also go them a advent calendar that tells the story of Christmas through the eyes of a dove. The boys get to put stickers on the pictures that go along with the story as you read each day. They seem to really get into it reminding us every night and of course arguing over whose turn it is to add a magnet or sticker.

We bought little Christmas trees, complete with little ornaments that we all decorated one night.

We decorated their playroom a little too. Had to add a red nose to the deer.

Decorating the Christmas tree is always a crazy time. One of us is going through the ornaments, putting on hooks and making sure that “special” ornaments are given to the right person. Then the other is trying to help lift and direct kids to where the ornaments need to go on the tree. We had a fire going and Christmas music playing to help keep the spirit. The last two years we have not put any decorative ornaments on the tree besides the “special” ornaments. It’s almost like looking at a Christmas scrapbook. I love it!